UK version of Saturday Night Live to air on Sky Max

Sky Max will air a UK version of the long running stateside comedy and music extravaganza…

It isn’t the first time the format has been tried in the UK with both ITV and Channel 4 attempting ‘versions’ of the show in the past, notably Saturday Live! and Friday Night Live! but it is the first time the programme has been brought to the UK as a direct copy of the NBC original, which recently celebrated fifty years on air.

Saturday Night Live UK will air its first run from London in next year and Sky promise a star-studded lineup of hosts will take to the stage to declare, “Live from London, it’s Saturday Night!” in this brand-new edition of the programme.

The first UK ‘interpretation’ of the show, Saturday Live/Friday Night Live, was hosted by Ben Elton / LWT for ITV/Ch4

SNL creator Lorne Michaels is set to executive produce Saturday Night Live UK, in addition to continuing to executive produce SNL on NBC stateside. SNL UK will be produced by Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer, Sky:

“For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels. The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night!” 

Harry Enfield was a regular on Friday Night Live! with a host of characters including Stavros the takeaway owner / LWT for ITV/CH4

The London-based series will follow the same live, fast-paced style that has made the show a cultural phenomenon with iconic hosts, musical guests and a core cast of the funniest British comedians around.

SNL has won the most Emmy Awards in television history, has been honoured four times with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The show has launched the careers of some of the greatest comedic voices in history, including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and countless more.

Sky Original Saturday Night Live UK comes to Sky Max and streaming service NOW in 2026.