Saturday Night Live to Debut in U.K. on Sky in 2026

NBC’s legendary late-night comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) is officially going international. The iconic sketch series is set to debut a U.K. edition in 2026, expanding its cultural footprint across the Atlantic in partnership with Sky.

Titled Saturday Night Live U.K., the new series will bring the show’s signature blend of political satire, celebrity impressions, and live musical performances to audiences in Britain and Ireland.

Lorne Michaels, the creative force behind SNL since its 1975 debut, will serve as executive producer of the U.K. adaptation. Michaels will continue to oversee the long-running American version while guiding the London-based series.

Much like its U.S. counterpart, Saturday Night Live U.K. will embrace a live broadcast format — a key element that has fueled the original show’s legacy as a launchpad for comedic talent and pop culture commentary for nearly 50 years.

The CEO of Sky Studios and chief content officer at Sky, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, stated, “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 U.K. audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night.”

NBC’s legendary sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) is officially crossing the Atlantic. Sky has announced it will launch Saturday Night Live U.K. in 2026, bringing the iconic American late-night format to British and Irish audiences for the first time.

The U.K. edition will stay true to the original’s signature blend of political satire, celebrity impersonations, live sketches, and musical performances — a format that has made SNL one of television’s most enduring comedy institutions since its debut in 1975.

Lorne Michaels, the creator and longtime executive producer of SNL, will also serve as executive producer for the British version. The series is being commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, for Sky Studios under CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

The London-based version will be produced by Michaels’ production company, Broadway Video, in partnership with Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. production team.

While the cast, hosts, and musical guests have yet to be announced, Sky has teased a lineup featuring “a core cast of the funniest British comedians around.”

Saturday Night Live U.K. will air on Sky Max and stream on Now when it premieres in 2026. More details, including the premiere date and talent lineup, will be revealed in the coming months.

With a record-breaking number of Emmy Awards and a legacy of launching comedy legends like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell, SNL remains one of television’s most influential comedy powerhouses.

The upcoming British edition marks the latest expansion of the SNL format, which is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats. Universal Television Alternative Studio — led by president Toby Gorman and with Helen Kruger-Bratt overseeing U.K. and Australian productions — has successfully adapted other formats internationally, including Hollywood Game Night, The Wall, and That’s My Jam.

Since its groundbreaking debut in 1975, Saturday Night Live has inspired a number of international versions — each attempting to retain the show’s irreverent humor while tailoring content for local audiences.

Germany’s RTL Samstag Nacht (1993–1998) brought the format to German-speaking viewers, often featuring local celebrities and occasional appearances by American stars like Mel Brooks. Spain attempted its own adaptation in 2009 on Cuatro, closely replicating the U.S. format, but it struggled to gain traction.

Italy’s Saturday Night Live from Milano (2006–2011) crafted original material for Italian audiences and enjoyed moderate success. South Korea’s SNL Korea debuted in 2011 on tvN, running for nine seasons and more than 200 episodes, notably blending local pop culture and K-pop elements to great effect. The show returned with a reboot on Coupang Play in 2021.

In Quebec, SNL Québec aired from 2014 to 2015, localizing famous sketches like “Schweddy Balls” for French-speaking audiences before budget constraints ended its run. Meanwhile, Russia’s 2013 adaptation struggled with poor ratings and critical reception, leading to a rebrand and quiet conclusion.

Sky’s Saturday Night Live U.K. will be the latest chapter in the franchise’s global journey — and with British comedy talent at the forefront, all eyes will be on whether it can capture the sharp wit, cultural commentary, and live energy that have defined the original for nearly five decades.