“Saturday Night Live (SNL)” has successfully embraced TikTok to capture the Gen Z audience. The long-running sketch show has surpassed over 1 billion views on the streaming platform and welcomed a younger audience as fans of the show. Read more and watch some of their funny digital content inside.

Gen Z  now spends a significant amount of their watch time on mobile devices, with a majority on platforms like TikTok. This season, “SNL’s” social media team has boosted its viewership by 178 percent over the previous year, surpassing 1 billion views on TikTok alone by chopping down sketches into bite-sized, engaging snippets that thrive in the app’s fast-paced environment. “SNL” saw their digital content success with the viral “Bridesmaid Speech” sketch, which has now reached over 8.3 million views on YouTube. It illustrates how the show has expertly adapted its iconic humor for a new digital landscape.

Watch the ‘Bridesmaid Speech’ sketch below:

This TikTok-focused strategy echoes “SNL’s” past success with digital media pivots, such as the early 2000s when Andy Samberg’s Lonely Island team generated viral YouTube hits with sketches like “Lazy Sunday.” By capturing millennial attention with shareable content, SNL maintained cultural relevance in the early internet era.

Watch the ‘Lazy Sunday’ sketch below:

Now, the show is refining that model for TikTok, even recruiting creator Jane Wickline, known for her 1 million followers, to help bridge the gap between traditional comedy and Gen Z’s content preferences.

With these social media efforts, “SNL” demonstrates that legacy media can evolve without losing its essence, a move that is critical as networks aim to convert social media momentum into increased viewership on streaming platforms like Peacock. While the shift to TikTok-sized content has transformed “SNL’s” outreach, its core comedic voice remains strong, positioning it as a leader in adapting to the changing demands of digital audiences. This blend of traditional TV with viral content ensures the show’s relevance among younger viewers while maintaining its legacy status as a cultural staple.

Will other shows get with the digital program? Comment your thoughts on the shift below.