How to Watch ‘SNL’ Season 51 for Free: Live, Start Time & Options

“Saturday Night Live” returns with Season 51 tonight, Oct. 4, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Bad Bunny hosts, with Doja Cat as musical guest. Here’s how to watch ‘SNL’ Season 51 for free, live or next day.

The show airs coast to coast at the same time. NBC also streams it live on Peacock in the U.S., with full episodes available the next day. Several live-TV streamers are running free trials that include NBC.

How to watch ‘SNL’ Season 51 for free tonight—your legit options

Over the air is the simplest route. If you live in range of an NBC affiliate and have an antenna, you can watch for free. No subscription needed after your hardware purchase.

Live-TV streaming trials work too. DIRECTV STREAM is offering a 5-day free trial right now that includes NBC in supported markets. Sign up, watch the SNL premiere, and cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to keep it.

YouTube TV has a limited promotional free trial window this month. The current offer runs around 10 days in many markets, but the exact length can vary by user and time. It carries NBC nationwide where the service is available.

Fubo also lists a free trial for new subscribers in many areas. Availability and duration can change, and regional channel lineups vary. Confirm NBC is included in your ZIP code during sign-up.

What about Peacock? SNL airs live on Peacock and posts the full episode the next day. However, there isn’t a standard, always-on free trial through Peacock itself at the moment. Sometimes third-party channels or bundle promos offer short trials, but these are limited-time deals and may require specific billing partners.

Key timings are straightforward. SNL starts 11:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. PT. It streams live in those time zones and then appears on demand the next morning. If you’re outside the U.S., check your local broadcaster, as rights differ by country.

Bad Bunny is hosting Saturday Night Live for a second time on October 4, joined by musical guest Doja Cat (AP)

What else to know before the premiere

Season 51 opens with a fresh mix of cast changes and returning stars. The episode features Bad Bunny’s second turn as host, with Doja Cat making her musical guest debut. It follows the 50th-anniversary year and sets up a busy fall slate of hosts.

Live access matters this season. Cord-cutters have more choices, but carriage deals can shift. YouTube TV and NBCUniversal recently finalized a new agreement that keeps NBC channels in place, which is good news for viewers who rely on that platform.

Bottom line: if you’re asking how to watch ‘SNL’ Season 51 for free, your best bets tonight are an over-the-air antenna, or a new-user trial from a live-TV streamer that carries NBC. Peacock has the live feed and next-day episodes, but no standard free trial at this time.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time does SNL start where I live?

It’s live at 11:30 p.m. ET, 10:30 p.m. CT, and 8:30 p.m. PT. The show streams live at those times, then posts on demand the next morning.

Q2: Can I watch SNL live on Peacock?

Yes, Peacock carries a live stream of NBC’s SNL in the U.S. Full episodes are also available the next day on Peacock.

Q3: Is there a Peacock free trial?

There’s no always-on free trial through Peacock itself right now. You may occasionally see short trials via partner channels or promos, which can change quickly.

Q4: Which free trials include NBC tonight?

DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day trial for new users. YouTube TV is running a limited promotional trial window this month, length varies. Fubo lists a trial in many markets. Always verify NBC in your ZIP code.

Q5: How can I watch outside the U.S.?

Rights are regional. In some countries SNL airs a day later on local partners. Check your local guide. Free U.S. trials usually require a U.S. payment method and location.