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NBC’s comedy institution “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) is crossing the pond to launch a British edition in partnership with Sky.
The iconic late-night sketch show, which has been a cornerstone of American pop culture since 1975, will debut “Saturday Night Live U.K.” in 2026, bringing its signature mix of political satire, celebrity impersonations and musical performances to British and Irish audiences.
“SNL” mastermind Lorne Michaels, who created the original NBC series, will serve as executive producer for the U.K. adaptation while continuing to steer the American mothership. The London-based version will follow the same live format that has made “SNL” a cultural juggernaut for nearly five decades.
“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,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and chief content officer at Sky. “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 U.K. audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night.”
The series is being commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, for Frot-Coutaz’s Sky Studios division.
The British iteration will be produced by Broadway Video, Michaels’ production company, in partnership with Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. production team. While cast members, hosts and musical guests have yet to be revealed, Sky promises “a core cast of the funniest British comedians around.”
“Saturday Night Live U.K.” will be available on Sky Max and the streaming service Now when it premieres in 2026. Additional details about the show’s debut, including premiere date and talent lineup, will be revealed in coming months.
“SNL” has accrued more Emmy Awards than any other television program and has been a career launchpad for comedy legends including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell. The show’s ability to launch careers and maintain cultural relevance across generations has made it one of television’s most enduring institutions.
This marks the latest expansion of the “SNL” format, which is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats. Universal Television Alternative Studio, headed by president Toby Gorman with Helen Kruger-Bratt overseeing the London and Australian production teams, has found success adapting other formats internationally, including “Hollywood Game Night,” “The Wall,” and “That’s My Jam.”
Since its 1975 debut, “Saturday Night Live” has inspired numerous international adaptations, each striving to capture the essence of the original while tailoring content to local audiences. Germany’s “RTL Samstag Nacht” (1993–1998) featured local celebrities and occasionally welcomed American personalities like Mel Brooks and Michael Winslow, though language barriers limited their participation. In Spain, a 2009 adaptation on Cuatro closely mirrored the U.S. format, even replicating original sketches, but it struggled to resonate and was short-lived.
Italy’s “Saturday Night Live from Milano” (2006–2011) offered original material, finding moderate success. South Korea’s “SNL Korea,” premiering in 2011 on tvN, enjoyed a robust nine-season run with 205 episodes, integrating K-pop elements to appeal to local viewers. The show was rebooted in 2021 on Coupang Play, featuring a mix of returning and new cast members. In Quebec, “SNL Québec” aired on Télé-Québec from 2014 to 2015, adapting classic sketches like “Schweddy Balls” into French, before budget cuts led to its cancellation. Russia’s 2013 adaptation faced challenges with low ratings and negative reviews, leading to a rebranded and quietly aired conclusion.
