Saturday Night Live Season 51 Premieres With Bad Bunny Hosting, Doja Cat Performing

Saturday Night Live (SNL) launches its 51st season on October 4, 2025, featuring Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat making her musical guest debut. Bad Bunny returns fresh off the announcement that he will headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, making history as the first host to appear immediately after serving as a musical guest in the previous season's finale. The season introduces a refreshed cast with 18 members, including five newcomers and promotions within the repertory players. The premiere airs live on NBC and streams simultaneously on Peacock, with additional streaming options available on Fubo and DirecTV, both offering free trials. The new season marks a new era for SNL following significant cast turnover and arrives amid a politically charged climate affecting late-night shows. Despite some controversy surrounding Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance announcement, the series continues to be a defining sketch comedy program with a dynamic mix of talent and fresh creative energy.