First on LateNighter: Jack Black’s induction into SNL’s Five Timers Club last weekend delivered above-average ratings across both key ratings metrics.
Per Nielsen Live+Same Day data, Saturday Night Live’s April 4 episode drew an average of 4.5 million total viewers and 1,040,000 viewers aged 18–49.
That’s a 6% decrease in total audience and a 10% increase in the advertiser-coveted demo from the show’s most recent new episode (March 14 with host/musical guest Harry Styles).
Among the 16 SNL episodes to air so far this season, Black’s ranks No. 6 in total viewers and No. 3 among viewers aged 18–49 (with only the Bad Bunny / Doja Cat season opener and the Ariana Grande-hosted Christmas episode faring better).
Compared with Black’s last visit to SNL on April 5, 2025 (nearly a year to the date of his previous appearance), this weekend’s episode was down 5% among total viewers but up 28% in the demo.
As always, bottom-line viewership will rise when Live+3 numbers—which include delayed viewing—come in. (For example, per Nielsen, the show’s Harry Styles-hosted March 14 episode gained 1.7 million total viewers in the three days following its broadcast, with Live+3 figures topping out at 6.5 million total viewers, while demo viewership grew by 55% to 1.46 million viewers.)
It’s also worth noting that linear ratings are just one piece of the pie, especially among younger viewers. Live+Same Day figures do not include live viewing on Peacock or social media, nor do they account for the show’s YouTube performance.
This weekend’s episode made headlines for a series of well-received sketches, including the introduction of Ashley Padilla’s annoying office worker “Kathy,” and a Sarah Sherman-fronted “Weekend Update” appearance by Kristi Noem’s (alleged) cross-dressing husband.
SNL returns with another new episode this weekend with host Colman Domingo and musical guest Anitta.
Episode-by-episode Nielsen ratings charts for SNL’s 51st season follow below.
Live+SD Ratings – All Viewers (P2+)
| Date | Host / Music Guest | Avg Viewers (000’s) | Avg Share % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4/26 | Jack Black / Jack White | 4,500 | 13.12 |
| 3/14/26 | Harry Styles | 4,792 | 13.70 |
| 3/7/26 | Ryan Gosling / Gorillaz | 4,342 | 14.31 |
| 2/28/26 | Connor Storrie / Mumford & Sons | 4,611 | 19.26 |
| 1/31/26 | Alexander Skarsgård / Cardi B | 4,820 | 15.18 |
| 1/24/26 | Teyana Taylor / Geese | 4,437 | 14.42 |
| 1/17/26 | Finn Wolfhard / A$AP Rocky | 4,140 | 15.19 |
| 12/20/25 | Ariana Grande / Cher | 5,404 | 16.83 |
| 12/13/25 | Josh O’Connor / Lily Allen | 3,949 | 13.08 |
| 12/6/25 | Melissa McCarthy / Dijon | 4,304 | 12.62 |
| 11/15/25 | Glen Powell / Olivia Dean | 4,165 | 14.41 |
| 11/8/25 | Nikki Glaser / sombr | 4,023 | 13.75 |
| 11/1/25 | Miles Teller / Brandi Carlile | 3,496 | 7.47 |
| 10/18/25 | Sabrina Carpenter | 4,248 | 14.67 |
| 10/11/25 | Amy Poehler / Role Model | 4,369 | 14.05 |
| 10/4/25 | Bad Bunny / Doja Cat | 4,634 | 14.99 |
Live+SD Ratings – In the Demo (P18-49)
| Date | Host / Music Guest | Avg Viewers (000s) | Avg Share % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4/26 | Jack Black / Jack White | 1,040 | 13.74 |
| 3/14/26 | Harry Styles | 942 | 12.16 |
| 3/7/26 | Ryan Gosling / Gorillaz | 817 | 12.87 |
| 2/28/26 | Connor Storrie / Mumford & Sons | 1,029 | 15.19 |
| 1/31/26 | Alexander Skarsgård / Cardi B | 950 | 14.32 |
| 1/24/26 | Teyana Taylor / Geese | 695 | 11.06 |
| 1/17/26 | Finn Wolfhard / A$AP Rocky | 858 | 14.53 |
| 12/20/25 | Ariana Grande / Cher | 1,224 | 17.71 |
| 12/13/25 | Josh O’Connor / Lily Allen | 710 | 11.23 |
| 12/6/25 | Melissa McCarthy / Dijon | 746 | 9.87 |
| 11/15/25 | Glen Powell / Olivia Dean | 799 | 13.48 |
| 11/8/25 | Nikki Glaser / sombr | 733 | 11.97 |
| 11/1/25 | Miles Teller / Brandi Carlile | 605 | 4.98 |
| 10/18/25 | Sabrina Carpenter | 938 | 14.92 |
| 10/11/25 | Amy Poehler / Role Model | 893 | 12.91 |
| 10/4/25 | Bad Bunny / Doja Cat | 1,125 | 16.33 |
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