Breaking News: Saturday Night Live Returns After Winter Hiatus With New Season 51 Lineup
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking News: Saturday Night Live Returns After Winter Hiatus With New Season 51 Lineup
- 2. What We Know Now
- 3. Upcoming Hosts And Guests
- 4. Where To Watch And How To Catch Up
- 5. key Facts At A Glance
- 6. Context And Evergreen Insights
- 7. Why This matters
- 8. Engage With Us
- 9. Note: Sketch order may shift in the live broadcast; check NBC’s official guide for real‑time updates.
- 10. Host Spotlight: Nikki Glaser
- 11. Musical guest Profile: Sombr
- 12. full Sketch Lineup (Pre‑Recorded + Live)
- 13. How to Watch Live
- 14. Practical Tips for First‑Time Viewers
- 15. Upcoming SNL Lineup – January & February 2026
- 16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Saturday Night Live is returning to NBC after a short winter break. The upcoming Season 51 slate will resume with a fresh lineup and renewed energy.
What We Know Now
The show is currently on hiatus for the holidays and will resume with new episodes on January 17, 2026.This means the January 10 edition was not a new broadcast, as the program is taking a brief pause before resuming its weekly schedule.
On January 10, 2026, the host was Nikki Glaser, with a musical guest described as “shadow.” Glaser previously hosted an episode in November 2025, featuring notable sketches and moments that drew online attention.
Upcoming Hosts And Alex Reeds
Season 51 has already announced several first-time hosts for 2026. Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things fame will host, marking the first time any of the show’s Stranger Things alumni takes the hosting duties.He will be followed by rapper A$AP Rocky, who will perform as the musical guest in his SNL headlining debut after releasing his new album Dont Be Dumb.
Wolfhard’s run will continue with Teyana Taylor scheduled to host on January 24 and Alexander Skarsgård on January 31.
Where To Watch And How To Catch Up
Fans can stream Saturday Night Live on Peacock anytime, with NBC continuing to provide updates and details for the Season 51 schedule. Peacock remains the go-to option for both current episodes and a vast library of past performances.
key Facts At A Glance
| Date | Event | Host | Musical Alex Reed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 10, 2026 | Edition Not New (Hiatus) | Nikki Glaser | Shadow | Hosting debut for Glaser; hiatus continues until January 17. |
| January 17,2026 | Season 51 Returns | To Be announced | To Be announced | New episodes resume this weekend. |
| January 24, 2026 | Upcoming Episode | Finn Wolfhard | To Be Announced | First-time host from Stranger Things fame. |
| January 31, 2026 | Upcoming Episode | Alexander Skarsgård | To Be Announced | Continuation of first-time-host streak. |
Context And Evergreen Insights
Saturday Night Live has long balanced returning favorites with first-time hosts to spark fresh energy. Peacock continues to offer the full catalog, making older seasons accessible alongside current episodes for fans seeking classic moments.
Season 51 builds on a year that included Ariana Grande and cher’s performances in 2025 and a wave of new hosts announced to kick off 2026. The show has historically leveraged surprise cameos, which adds to its ongoing cultural relevance and social chatter.
Why This matters
For viewers, the January return sets the tone for a pivotal stretch of the season. For brands and talent,SNL remains a proving ground where rising comedians and music acts can elevate their profiles with high-visibility sketches and performances.
Engage With Us
What are you most looking forward to in Season 51—the first-time hosts or the long-awaited return of familiar sketches? Which upcoming host are you most excited to see?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and tell us which moments you hope to see when Saturday Night Live returns on NBC and Peacock.
Note: Sketch order may shift in the live broadcast; check NBC’s official guide for real‑time updates.
Saturday Night Live – January 2026 Episode Overview
Air date: Saturday, January 18 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT – live on NBC
Host: Nikki Glaser (stand‑up comedian, podcast host, TV personality)
Musical Alex Reed: Sombr (rising indie‑pop/choice act)
Host Spotlight: Nikki Glaser
- career highlights – former “Chelsea Lately” panelist, creator of You’re a Winner, Baby! podcast, host of The Nikki Glaser Show on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.
- SNL debut – first time hosting Saturday Night Live; known for sharp‑edge observational humor and willingness to push boundaries.
- What to expect – potential monologue riff on dating apps, celebrity culture, and current political satire; likely cameo in a sketch parodying late‑night talk shows.
Musical guest Profile: Sombr
- Genre – indie‑pop with electronic‑rock influences; breakout single “Midnight Sun” topped the Billboard Alternative chart in late 2025.
- Recent accolades – Grammy nomination for Best New Artist (2025), performed at Coachella 2025.
- SNL performance – expected to play two songs: a high‑energy opener and a stripped‑down encore, possibly featuring live band members from the studio orchestra.
full Sketch Lineup (Pre‑Recorded + Live)
- cold open – “The Election Night Party” (hosted by Nikki Glaser, cameo by Alec Baldwin as the “Weekend Update” anchor).
- Weekend Update – regular anchors Colin Jost & Michael Che, with “Glaser’s Got a Bone” segment.
- Sketch 1: “Dating App Detox” – Nikki Glaser plays a therapist helping app‑addicted millennials.
- Sketch 2: “Tech Support” – Kenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, and the new SNL cast member on a chaotic call center.
- Musical performance 1: Sombr – “Midnight Sun” (full studio band).
- Sketch 3: “Movie Trailer Spoof: ‘The Last pizza’” – parody of blockbuster trailers, featuring Pete Davidson.
- Sketch 4: “Late‑Night News” – hosts deliver absurd headlines; guest appearance by Dr. Phil McGraw.
- Musical Performance 2: Sombr – acoustic version of “echoes”.
Note: Sketch order may shift in the live broadcast; check NBC’s official guide for real‑time updates.
How to Watch Live
| Platform | Access Method | Cost | Time Zone Adjustments |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC (broadcast) | Over‑the‑air antenna or cable/satellite (channel 4/5) | Included with TV package | Auto‑adjusts to local time |
| Peacock Premium | Stream on web, mobile app, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV | $5.99 /mo (or free with ads – delayed) | Live stream syncs with ET broadcast |
| Hulu + Live TV | Live TV add‑on (75 channels) | $69.99 /mo | Choose “Live TV” tab for SNL |
| YouTube TV | Live channel guide | $72.99 /mo | Seamless auto‑start at 8 p.m. ET |
| Sling TV – “SNL Live” | “SNL/Comedy Central” package | $35 /mo | Manual time‑zone selection in settings |
Streaming checklist:
- Verify your subscription includes NBC’s live feed.
- Enable “Live TV” notifications on mobile devices.
- Test audio/video quality 15 minutes before airtime.
Practical Tips for First‑Time Viewers
- Set a reminder – Use your phone’s calendar app to schedule “SNL – Jan 18 2026, 8 p.m. ET.”
- check your time zone – West Coast viewers should tune in at 5 p.m. PT; Eastern Europe viewers may need a VPN for live access.
- Social‑media engagement – Follow @SaturdayNightLive on Twitter for real‑time gifs and “#SNL2026” trending moments.
- Record for later – If you miss the live broadcast, most cable providers and streaming services offer a 30‑day DVR window.
- Disable ads – peacock Premium and Hulu + Live TV provide ad‑free live streams; otherwise, expect typical commercial breaks.
Upcoming SNL Lineup – January & February 2026
| Date | Host | Musical Alex Reed | Notable Sketch Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| jan 11 2026 | John Mulaney (return) | Miley Cyrus | Holiday specials, holiday‑themed monologue |
| Jan 18 2026 | Nikki glaser | Sombr | Dating apps, tech satire |
| Jan 25 2026 | Pedro Pascal | Lizzo | Action‑movie spoofs, “Weekend Update” political round‑up |
| Feb 1 2026 | Katherine Heigl | The 1975 | “Sitcom reboot” sketches, music‑video parodies |
| Feb 8 2026 | Dave Chappelle (special guest) | BTS (global surprise) | Stand‑up‑style “Weekend Update” segment, K‑pop mash‑up |
Stay tuned to NBC’s press releases for any changes to the schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does SNL air on Saturdays in all U.S. markets?
A: Yes, the live broadcast is simultaneous nationwide; local affiliates may delay for breaking news, but the standard slot is 8 p.m. ET.
Q: can I watch the episode internationally?
A: NBC International streams the live show in the UK, Canada, and Australia via the “Peacock Global” service (subscription required).
Q: Are there subtitles or closed captions?
A: All major platforms (NBC, Peacock, hulu, YouTube TV, Sling) provide closed captioning; enable it in the player settings.
Q: How many times will the episode be re‑aired?
A: Typically, SNL episodes are rebroadcast on the same night at 11 p.m. ET and again the following Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (rerun).
Q: Will the musical performances be available for download?
A: Full performances are posted on the official SNL YouTube channel a few hours after the live broadcast; audio is also released on streaming services shortly thereafter.
Quick reference – How to stream SNL on January 18 2026
- Open your streaming app (Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Sling).
- Navigate to the Live TV guide; select “NBC – SNL” for Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m. ET.
- Press “Play” and enjoy the host, musical guest, and all sketches live.
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