SNL Moves to Bell Media in Landmark Canadian Broadcasting Deal

TORONTO, ON – April 13, 2026 – In a seismic shift for Canadian television, Bell Media announced today it has acquired the exclusive Canadian rights to the iconic sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. The landmark deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will bring the show's upcoming 52nd season to CTV and the Crave streaming service this fall, ending a decades-long relationship the series held with a rival broadcaster.

The move positions the cultural juggernaut at the heart of Bell Media's linear and digital strategy, making it a cornerstone of its fall programming lineup and a major draw for its flagship streaming platform.

A New Home for a Late-Night Titan

Beginning in the fall of 2026, Canadian viewers will be able to watch new episodes of Saturday Night Live live in simulcast with the U.S. broadcast on the CTV network. Simultaneously, the episodes will stream live on Crave through its integrated CTV channel feed, a key feature of Bell's multi-platform approach.

For those who miss the live broadcast, new episodes will be available on-demand on Crave the following day. The deal also significantly enriches Crave's back-catalogue, with a library of legendary SNL episodes from past seasons joining the streamer's "Saturday Night Live Collection." This move consolidates the franchise under one roof, as Crave also recently became the exclusive Canadian home for the new British adaptation, Saturday Night Live UK.

"Crave and CTV are proud to be the new home of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in Canada," said Justin Stockman, VP of Global Content at Bell Media, in a statement. "A proven hit for over 50 years, the series has always been at the vanguard of pop culture, setting the tone for modern humour. We will be enjoying alongside viewers when the new season premieres on Crave and CTV."

The agreement, negotiated by Bell Media's Director of Content, Acquisitions & Sales, Sarah Weaver, marks a significant win for the company as it continues to bolster its content portfolio with globally recognized properties.

Shifting Tides in Canadian Broadcasting

The acquisition represents the end of an era in Canadian television history. For over four decades, Saturday Night Live was synonymous with Corus Entertainment's Global Television Network. Global was one of the first Canadian networks to import the show, then titled Saturday Night, back in 1975, making it a staple of its weekend lineup for generations of viewers.

Corus Entertainment confirmed it would be "moving on" from the series following the conclusion of its 51st season in May, signaling a strategic pivot in its own programming investments. This transition hands a significant and proven ratings performer from one of Canada's major media players to its chief competitor. The move underscores the intense competition for marquee content that can anchor a schedule and drive digital subscriptions in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. By securing SNL, Bell Media not only gains a valuable asset but also removes it from a key rival's arsenal.

The Strategic Play for Streaming Dominance

This acquisition is a calculated and aggressive move to fortify Crave's position in Canada's fiercely competitive streaming market. With a stated goal of growing its subscriber base from over four million to an ambitious six million, Bell Media is banking on high-profile, exclusive content to attract and retain customers. Saturday Night Live fits this strategy perfectly.

Crave has already established itself as a formidable destination for premium comedy, boasting a deep library that includes hits like Letterkenny, Friends, Hacks, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The addition of SNL—both new episodes and a vast historical archive—elevates this offering, creating a comprehensive hub for fans of the franchise and comedy in general. It positions Crave as an indispensable service for viewers who want access to one of the most talked-about shows on television.

The move is part of a broader content strategy focused on securing globally relevant franchises. By acquiring both the flagship U.S. version of SNL and its new UK counterpart, Bell is building a powerful brand ecosystem within its platform, a tactic designed to compete with international giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which have also invested heavily in comedy originals and licensed content for the Canadian market.

By the Numbers: SNL's Proven Canadian Appeal

Bell Media's investment is backed by robust data demonstrating Saturday Night Live's enduring popularity and powerful demographic reach in Canada. The press release highlights the series as the #1 non-scripted show among Adults 18-49 in Canada for the 2024-2025 season, a coveted demographic for advertisers.

Beyond this top-line statistic, other metrics confirm the show's deep cultural penetration. In May 2025, audience demand for SNL in Canada was over 50 times higher than that of the average television show. The "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" in February 2025 was a ratings blockbuster, drawing an estimated 1.6 million Canadian viewers on Global TV. Even a re-broadcast of the very first episode from 1975 captured over half a million viewers, proving the brand's multi-generational appeal.

Furthermore, the show's digital footprint is expanding rapidly. Social media viewership for SNL saw a 53% year-over-year increase in 2025, indicating that its cultural relevance is growing, particularly with younger audiences who engage with content across multiple platforms. This combination of strong linear ratings, high on-demand interest, and viral social engagement makes SNL a uniquely valuable asset in the modern media environment.

An Integrated Multi-Platform Power Play

The acquisition is more than just a content deal; it's a testament to Bell Media's integrated "total video solution" strategy. By placing SNL on both its most-watched conventional network, CTV, and its primary streaming service, Crave, the company ensures it can reach the widest possible audience and maximize monetization opportunities.

This dual-platform approach allows Bell to capture revenue from traditional television advertising on CTV while simultaneously driving subscriber growth and creating new ad inventory on Crave. The company has aggressively expanded its Connected TV (CTV) advertising business, which has seen inventory surge by over 75% in the last year. With SNL, Bell can offer advertisers access to a premium, highly engaged audience across live and on-demand viewing environments.

This strategy is powered by the vast trove of first-party data from parent company BCE Inc., which connects with over 22 million customers in 8 million Canadian households. This allows for sophisticated audience targeting and measurement, making ad buys on platforms like Crave and CTV more effective and valuable. By securing Saturday Night Live, Bell Media has not only acquired a legendary comedy franchise but has also obtained a powerful engine to fuel its entire media ecosystem, from linear broadcast and digital streaming to data-driven advertising.