Newsnight will be moving to a new time slot on Fridays.
The BBC’s flagship news and current affairs programme currently airs at 10.30pm on weekdays on BBC Two.
It has been announced the Friday night editions will now move to a new 7pm evening slot from this Friday September 18.
Matt Chorley, who joined the Newsnight team in 2025, will present the programme each Friday evening.
The BBC has said he will be “bringing viewers fresh insight into the week’s biggest political stories, alongside the forensic interviews and incisive analysis for which Newsnight is known”.
Monday to Thursday episodes of Newsnight will continue to broadcast from 10.30pm.
Chorley said the programme was “thriving” and moving the time slot for the Friday show gave them a “brilliant opportunity to unpack the week’s biggest stories before the weekend kicks in”.
“Politics has never been more complicated or contested, so every Friday night I’ll bring viewers the perfect primer for what is really going on, with the best interviews and analysis that Newsnight viewers expect,” he said.
“And because it’s Friday night, we’ll have some fun along the way and hopefully a few surprises too.”
Newsnight executive editor Jonathan Aspinwall said: “Newsnight has long been known for its forensic interviews and sharp insights, helping audiences make sense of the biggest stories shaping our world.
“As more and more people discover Newsnight across the BBC’s platforms, they can expect even more news-making guests, fresh and exciting voices, and the conversations everyone will be talking about over the weekend.”
Newsnight launched in 1980, with the format most recently refreshed in 2024.
Since then, the BBC has reported the average viewing has risen 11% year-on-year and 22% compared with pre-refresh levels.
Meanwhile it has said viewing on BBC iPlayer has grown by 42% year-on-year, 173% compared with pre-refresh levels.
The programme is also presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Paddy O’Connell.
