The American comedy stalwart, “Saturday Night Live” (often abbreviated as ‘SNL’), is teaming up with Sky to bring a British version of itself across the Atlantic.
Beginning in 2026, the renowned late-night comedy program, a staple of American pop culture since 1975, will introduce “Saturday Night Live U.K.”, offering its unique blend of political satire, celebrity impressions, and musical performances to viewers in Britain and Ireland.
Lorne Michaels, the brains behind ‘SNL’, who initiated the original NBC series, is set to serve as executive producer for the British adaptation. Meanwhile, he’ll keep guiding the American version (the main ship). The U.K. edition will mimic the live format that has made ‘SNL’ a cultural force for almost five decades, with performances taking place in London.
For more than half a century, ‘Saturday Night Live’ has occupied a distinctive spot in television and our collective consciousness, shaping and mirroring worldwide discourse with its exceptional comedic direction led by Lorne Michaels,” remarked Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and head content officer at Sky. “This groundbreaking show has fostered the careers of numerous comedy and music talents, and we are elated to collaborate with Lorne and the ‘SNL’ team in producing a British edition of the show for U.K. viewers starting next year, broadcast live from London on Saturday evenings.
The series has been approved for production by Phil Edgar-Jones, the head of Original Unscripted content at Sky, under the Sky Studios division led by Frot-Coutaz.
The upcoming British version will be developed by Broadway Video, Michael’s production company, along with Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. production team. As of now, the actors, hosts, and musical performers are not disclosed. However, Sky is confident that they will feature a main cast comprised of some of the most hilarious British comedians available.
Starting in 2026, you’ll be able to watch ‘Saturday Night Live U.K.’ on Sky Max and the streaming platform Now when it first airs.” Further details about the show’s launch, such as the premiere date and the cast, will be shared over the next few months.
‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL) has won more Emmy Awards than any other TV show, making it a springboard for comedy greats such as Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell. Its consistent success in launching careers and staying culturally relevant across various generations has cemented its status as one of television’s longest-lasting institutions.
I’m thrilled to be part of the ongoing evolution of the ‘SNL’ format, a globally licensed expansion handled by NBCUniversal Formats. Under the leadership of Toby Gorman at Universal Television Alternative Studio, we’ve been successfully adapting various formats internationally, such as “Hollywood Game Night,” “The Wall,” and “That’s My Jam.
Starting from its debut in 1975, the popular show “Saturday Night Live” has spawned multiple international versions, each aiming to preserve the spirit of the original while catering to local tastes. Germany’s “RTL Samstag Nacht” (1993-1998) incorporated homegrown celebrities and occasionally invited American stars like Mel Brooks and Michael Winslow, but language issues hindered their active involvement. In Spain, a 2009 version on Cuatro followed the American format closely, even replicating original skits, yet it failed to capture the public’s interest and was short-lived.
From 2006 to 2011, Italy’s “Saturday Night Live from Milano” presented unique content, earning a moderate level of popularity. In contrast, South Korea’s “SNL Korea,” launched on tvN in 2011, thrived for nine seasons with 205 episodes, incorporating K-pop elements to resonate with the local audience. This show was revamped in 2021 on Coupang Play, featuring a blend of familiar and new cast members. Running from 2014 to 2015, “SNL Québec” aired on Télé-Québec, adapting popular sketches like “Schweddy Balls” into French. However, budget cuts ultimately resulted in its termination. Russia’s adaptation, premiered in 2013, struggled with low ratings and negative feedback, eventually leading to a rebranding and low-key conclusion.
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2025-04-10 10:46