SNL UK Experiences Sharp 36% Viewership Decline in Third Episode
The British adaptation of Saturday Night Live, known as SNL UK, has encountered a significant setback in its early run, with viewership plummeting by 36 per cent during its third broadcast. According to data from the audience monitoring organisation BARB, as reported by Deadline, the episode hosted by actor Riz Ahmed attracted only 130,100 viewers on Saturday, 4 April 2026. This marks a steep drop from the 205,000 viewers who tuned in for the previous week's installment.
Launch and Initial Performance
SNL UK premiered on Sky last month amid considerable anticipation, with the debut episode featuring 30 Rock star Tina Fey as host. That initial broadcast managed to draw an audience of 226,000 viewers, setting a promising benchmark for the series. However, the latest figures indicate a troubling trend for the show, which aims to replicate the success of its long-running American counterpart in the UK market.
Riz Ahmed's Hosting Stint and Audience Metrics
Hosted by Riz Ahmed, renowned for his role in Nightcrawler, the third episode achieved an overall audience share of 1.8 per cent. Despite the sharp decline in absolute numbers, this performance still exceeded the average viewership for Sky One in that particular timeslot. The episode featured a mix of sketches, including a parody of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a humorous take on the popular BBC reality series The Traitors.
Upcoming Episodes and Critical Reception
Looking ahead, comedian Jack Whitehall is scheduled to host the fourth episode of SNL UK, with singer-songwriter Jorja Smith set to appear as the musical guest. Since its debut, the series has garnered mixed reviews from both viewers and critics. In a review for The Independent, Nick Hilton noted that while the production team has assembled an intriguing array of talent, the show largely adheres to the established formula of its American predecessor.
Hilton expressed that SNL UK lacks its own spark of irreverence, describing it at best as a learned imitation and at worst as tepid cosplay. He praised the resistance to casting bigger names for short runs but criticised the failure to innovate beyond the traditional structure of host monologues, timely skits, fake adverts, and musical guests.
Future Broadcasts and Availability
SNL UK continues its run with episodes airing at 10pm on Saturdays on Sky One. Following the live broadcast, all episodes are made available for streaming on Sky and NOW platforms. The next episode is slated for Saturday, 11 April 2026, offering viewers another opportunity to engage with the British take on this iconic comedy format.
