BBC schedule shake-up revealed after huge show was under threat of being axed after 46 years

A BBC schedule shake-up has been confirmed – after staff on iconic show Newsnight worried it was under threat of being axed. The long-running current affairs programme originally launched on screens back in 1980. A schedule shake-up has been confirmed for long-running BBC show Newsnight Credit: BBC Victoria Derbyshire joined Newsnight in 2022 Credit: BBC From September 18, Friday editions of Newsnight will move to a new 7pm slot on BBC Two. Matt Chorley, who has been with the show since 2025, will present Newsnight each Friday evening. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The presenting team also includes Victoria Derbyshire and Paddy O’Connell. Matt, 43, said: “Newsnight is thriving, and moving to a peak-time Friday slot gives us a brilliant opportunity to unpack the week’s biggest stories before the weekend kicks in. Matt Chorley presents the Friday editions of Newsnight Credit: BBC Newsnight had been on screens since 1980 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd “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. “And because it’s Friday night, we’ll have some fun along the way and hopefully a few surprises too.” Meanwhile, the Monday to Thursday episodes will continue to be aired from 10.30pm. It comes after The Sun told last month how the programme’s staff feared it would be ending. Most read in TV Newsnight’s team dropped from 57 to 23 after its special investigations team was axed. A source previously told The Sun: “Everyone is concerned for Newsnight and how it will fare in the next cuts. “We’ve been warned there are likely budget reductions and revisions next year. It’s a worrying time. “The new Director-General (Matt Brittin) has made it clear that success is down to clicks.” Comment now