Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a long-running American late-night sketch comedy television show that airs on NBC. The show is produced and broadcast by NBC, which is part of the larger media conglomerate NBCUniversal.
SNL premiered on October 11, 1975, and has since become one of the most influential comedy programs in television history. It is filmed live from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City and is widely known for its political satire, celebrity impressions, musical performances, and cultural commentary.
The show was created by Lorne Michaels, who continues to serve as its creator and executive producer.
Ownership Status of Saturday Night Live
There is no single private owner of Saturday Night Live. The show is owned by NBC, which in turn is a division of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal itself is owned by Comcast Corporation, a publicly traded American telecommunications and media company.
In simple terms, the ownership structure works like this:
Comcast Corporation → NBCUniversal → NBC → Saturday Night Live
Because Comcast is a publicly traded company, the ultimate ownership of SNL is indirectly shared among Comcast’s shareholders.
Corporate Ownership Breakdown
| Entity | Role in Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comcast Corporation | Parent Company | Publicly traded media and telecom giant |
| NBCUniversal | Media Subsidiary | Oversees NBC, film studios, and cable networks |
| NBC | Network Owner | Original broadcaster and owner of SNL |
| Lorne Michaels | Executive Producer | Creative control, not ownership |
Note: While Lorne Michaels has significant creative authority, he does not own SNL.
Role of Lorne Michaels in SNL
Although he is often closely associated with the show, Lorne Michaels is not the owner of Saturday Night Live. His role is that of creator and executive producer, giving him major influence over casting, writing, and overall creative direction.
Michaels has been responsible for shaping SNL for nearly five decades, discovering and launching the careers of many famous comedians. However, all legal and commercial ownership of the show remains with NBC.
Lorne Michaels is the creator and long-time executive producer of Saturday Night Live. He launched the show in 1975 and has remained its most important creative force for nearly five decades. Lorne Michaels is responsible for shaping SNL’s unique format, tone, and style, and he plays a key role in selecting cast members, writers, and hosts. While he does not legally own the show, his influence over its creative direction is unmatched, making him one of the most powerful figures in American television comedy.
Lorne Michaels Net Worth
As of current estimates, Lorne Michaels’ net worth is approximately $500 million. His wealth comes mainly from his long career as a television producer, especially through Saturday Night Live, along with other successful shows produced under his company, Broadway Video. Michaels has also earned substantial income from syndication deals, streaming rights, executive producer credits, and long-term contracts with NBC. Despite not owning SNL, his decades-long involvement with the show has made him one of the wealthiest and most influential producers in TV history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the current owner of Saturday Night Live?
Saturday Night Live is owned by NBC, which is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
2. Is Saturday Night Live privately owned?
No. SNL is owned by a publicly traded media company through its parent corporation, Comcast.
3. Did Lorne Michaels own SNL?
No. Lorne Michaels created the show and runs it creatively, but he does not own it.
4. Which company controls NBC?
NBC is controlled by NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast Corporation.
Saturday Night Live Official Site
Saturday Night Live is not owned by an individual. It is a network television property owned by NBC, under NBCUniversal, with Comcast Corporation as the ultimate parent company. While Lorne Michaels remains the creative force behind the show, the corporate ownership rests firmly with NBC and its parent organizations