Alec and Ed on SNL [NBC]
Featuring host Alec Baldwin and musical guest Ed Sheeran, the February 11 “Saturday Night Live” was a strong live+same-day ratings performer.
It was comparatively stronger in live+7.
Citing the newly available L+7 data (live + 7 days of DVR viewership), NBC says the episode drew 16.03 million total viewers.
On a live+7 basis, it ranks as the most-watched episode since the October 19, 2008 broadcast, which featured host Josh Brolin and musical guest Adele.
Alec Baldwin, interestingly, made a cameo appearance on that episode.
Some observers will note that DVR usage has increased in recent years, elevating the typical live+7 boost achieved by programming.
Others, however, will point out that the rise of DVR coincides with a decrease in live+same-day viewership. Live+7, they would argue, is therefore a fair way to compare today’s programming with shows from 5-15 years ago.
No matter which side one takes, it is hard to dispute the central reality: the Alec Baldwin-Ed Sheeran episode was a particularly strong performer in a particularly successful season of “Saturday Night Live.”