Saturday Night Live

:SNL redirects here. For other uses of SNL, see SNL (disambiguation).

Rights to SNL

NBC holds the copyright to every episode of the show made thus far. The syndication rights to the original incarnation (1975–1980) were originally acquired by Filmways Television (later Orion Television and MGM), while the syndication rights to the shows made from 1980 forward (that is, rerun rights beginning two years after its original NBC airings) have been held by Broadway Video, Lorne Michaels' production company.

Related Topics:
Filmways Television - Orion Television - MGM - Broadway Video

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The home video rights have also been scattered. Warner Home Video originally released several episodes from the original incarnation (1975–1980). Paramount released a "Best Of Eddie Murphy" video compilation in the 1980s (Murphy had a multi-picture deal with Paramount at the time). In the 1990s, Starmaker Entertainment held the video rights. Today, Lions Gate Home Entertainment handles the VHS and DVD releases of SNL under a new license with NBC.

Related Topics:
Paramount - 1980s - 1990s - Lions Gate Home Entertainment

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For many years, both Comedy Central and E! Entertainment Television aired SNL reruns under license with Broadway Video and Orion/MGM (respectively). In 2003, full rights reverted completely to NBC, and the E! network acquired the exclusive syndication rights to the series.

Related Topics:
Comedy Central - E! Entertainment Television - 2003

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The only episodes that have not been included in any syndication package (including the current deal with E!) are the prime-time special at Mardi Gras in New Orleans (the only time the show has originated outside of New York), and the infamous 1990 episode which Andrew Dice Clay hosted.

Related Topics:
1990 - Andrew Dice Clay

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Canada, episodes from 1975–1980 are aired in late night programming hours, weeknights on some Global Television Network owned stations such as CHAN and CIII. However, these episodes are edited considerably to fit into to its one hour timeslot, rather than the usual hour and a half.

Related Topics:
Canada - Global Television Network - CHAN - CIII

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

READ BEFORE EDITING:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The specific wording regarding the "Ashlee Simpson" incident was debated on the ground of neutrality for many months before a compromise was reached from both sides. Therefore it is asked that you do not edit that particular entry without first consulting the "Talk" section of this page.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~