The Saturday Night Live Season 50 premiere aired on September 28, 2024. To watch it now without cable, open Peacock, search for Saturday Night Live, select Season 50, and choose the Jean Smart episode dated September 28, 2024. Peacock lists the full episode at approximately 69 minutes.
The Saturday Night Live Season 50 premiere already aired
If you are looking for the Saturday Night Live Season 50 premiere now, the simplest cable-free option is to watch the complete episode on demand through Peacock. The premiere aired on Saturday, September 28, 2024, so it is no longer an upcoming live broadcast.
On Peacock, search for Saturday Night Live, open Season 50, and select Episode 1, the Jean Smart episode dated September 28, 2024. Peacock lists the episode at approximately 69 minutes.
How to watch the Season 50 premiere on Peacock
- Open Peacock in a supported web browser or launch the Peacock app on your television, streaming device, game console, phone, or tablet.
- Search for Saturday Night Live.
- Choose the series, then open the Season 50 season selector.
- Select Episode 1, dated September 28, 2024.
- Start playback of the Jean Smart-hosted episode.
This is the best option for watching the premiere after its original broadcast. It does not require a cable or satellite TV package, but it does require internet access and a Peacock plan that includes the episode. Do not assume that the episode is freely available on NBC.com; the clearly verified full-episode destination is Peacock.
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Which Peacock plan do you need?
Peacock’s published pricing lists these relevant plans:
| Plan | Published monthly price | What matters for this question |
|---|---|---|
| Select | $7.99 | Check the current plan details before subscribing; the researched information does not establish this as the recommended plan for the episode. |
| Premium | $10.99 | Includes NBC television programming and on-demand content. This is the straightforward choice for the archived Season 50 premiere. |
| Premium Plus | $16.99 | Includes the Premium benefits and adds access to a user’s local NBC channel live, subject to location availability. |
Prices and plan terms can change, so confirm the current details on Peacock before paying. For the archived premiere alone, Premium is the sensible recommendation. Premium Plus is mainly worth considering if you also want to watch your local NBC station live through Peacock.
Premium Plus does not provide one universal NBC channel for every subscriber. Peacock assigns the local station based on the streaming device’s location, and local NBC availability varies. Peacock says that more than 200 local NBC channels are available in the United States, but that does not mean every household receives one.
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- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
What the original live broadcast time was
When it premiered, the Season 50 opener aired at:
- 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- 10:30 p.m. Central Time
- 9:30 p.m. Mountain Time
- 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Jean Smart hosted the episode, and Jelly Roll was the musical guest. NBC and Peacock announced that the episode streamed live on Peacock at the same time as the NBC broadcast. Those times are useful for understanding the original premiere, but they are not a current appointment to watch: the broadcast took place on September 28, 2024.
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Peacock’s live stream
For the original premiere, Peacock was the principal cable-free streaming route. The episode streamed live at the same time as the NBC broadcast. A live Peacock stream and an on-demand Peacock episode are different use cases: the former was for watching the premiere as it happened, while the latter is the option to use now.
An over-the-air antenna
An antenna could also receive the local NBC affiliate without a cable subscription. This is a general option, not a guaranteed result. Reception depends on your ZIP code, distance from the broadcast tower, terrain, building materials, antenna placement, and the strength of the local signal.
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Before buying an antenna, check which NBC affiliate serves your address and whether an indoor antenna is likely to receive it. An antenna receives a local broadcast; it does not provide Peacock’s on-demand library.
Live-TV streaming services
A live-TV streaming bundle may carry a local NBC affiliate in some areas, but channel lineups are location-specific and can change. That type of service is more relevant if you want a broad live-channel replacement for cable, not if your only goal is to watch the archived Season 50 premiere. Confirm NBC availability for your ZIP code before subscribing.
What devices can run Peacock?
Peacock supports browsers and apps on a wide range of platforms, including smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV, Samsung smart TVs, LG televisions, Xbox, PlayStation, mobile devices, and other listed platforms. The exact app interface may differ by device.
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- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku Streaming Stick with the Roku remote
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If your television does not have the Peacock app, you can watch in a computer or mobile browser instead. You could also add a compatible Roku Streaming Stick 4K to an HDMI port and install Peacock. This is optional equipment, not a requirement: a compatible smart TV, computer, phone, tablet, or existing streaming box is sufficient.
A streaming stick does not supply the program by itself. You still need an internet connection and a Peacock subscription for the on-demand episode. It also does not turn Peacock into a free service or guarantee access to a local NBC live channel.
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Use Peacock Premium to watch Season 50, Episode 1, dated September 28, 2024. It is the clearest current route to the full Jean Smart premiere without cable. Choose Premium Plus only if you also want Peacock’s live local NBC channel and that channel is available at your location. Use an antenna instead if you want to receive a local NBC broadcast over the air and your address has adequate reception.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Saturday Night Live Season 50 premiere still upcoming?
No. The Season 50 premiere aired on September 28, 2024. You can watch it on demand by opening Peacock, searching for Saturday Night Live, selecting Season 50, and choosing Episode 1 dated September 28, 2024.
Which Peacock plan is best for watching the Season 50 premiere?
Peacock Premium is the practical choice for the archived premiere because it includes NBC on-demand content. Premium Plus is relevant if you also want access to your local NBC channel live and that channel is available at your location.
Can I watch NBC without cable using an antenna?
Yes, potentially. An antenna can receive a local NBC affiliate without cable, but reception depends on your address, signal strength, terrain, building materials, and antenna placement. Check local coverage before buying one.
Do I need a Roku or another streaming device to watch the episode?
No. A streaming stick only adds compatible streaming apps to a television. You still need internet access and a Peacock subscription to watch the on-demand episode.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Season 50 premiere is not upcoming—it aired on September 28, 2024. Watch the approximately 69-minute Jean Smart episode on demand in Peacock’s Season 50 catalog. Peacock Premium is the practical plan for the archived episode; Premium Plus is only necessary for viewers who also want an eligible local NBC live channel.
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