A major schedule change is coming to the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs programme, Newsnight, which currently broadcasts on weekdays at the 10:30 pm time slot on BBC Two.
Starting this Friday, September 18, the Friday night edition will move to a brand new 7pm evening slot. Matt Chorley, who first joined the show's broadcasting team in 2025, will present each Friday evening.
The corporation has stated 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 through Thursday episodes will continue to air in their usual slot from 10:30 pm.
Chorley described the programme as "thriving" and noted that shifting the time slot for the Friday show gives 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."
Originally launched in 1980, the show's format was most recently refreshed in 2024. The BBC reports that average viewing figures have since risen by 11 per cent year-on-year and 22 per cent compared with pre-refresh levels.
Meanwhile, viewing on BBC iPlayer has expanded by 42 per cent year-on-year and 173 per cent compared with pre-refresh levels. The programme is also regularly fronted by presenters Victoria Derbyshire and Paddy O’Connell.
