Overview
- Nielsen Live+Same Day data shows 5.4 million total viewers, the most of Season 51 and the biggest Christmas episode in five years.
- The broadcast drew over 1.2 million viewers aged 18–49, rising 72% week over week to the season’s top demo result.
- It was the most-watched SNL episode since November 2024, surpassing the season premiere’s 4.6 million.
- NBC reports 503 million cross-platform social views as of Dec. 23, with the episode ranking second on Peacock this season behind the premiere.
- The night doubled as Bowen Yang’s farewell, featuring on-air tributes including Aidy Bryant’s Trend Forecasters return and a final musical sketch with Grande and Cher, and SNL returns Jan. 17 with Finn Wolfhard and A$AP Rocky.