Newsnight makes major BBC Two schedule change as Matt Chorley gets new Friday slot

Newsnight is moving its Friday edition to a new early evening slot on BBC Two, with Matt Chorley taking charge of the weekly programme.

The BBC's flagship news and current affairs show will move to 7pm on Fridays from September 18, while its Monday to Thursday editions will continue to air at 10.30pm.

Matt Chorley, who joined the Newsnight team in 2025, will present the Friday edition and take viewers through the biggest political stories of the week.

What time is Newsnight on BBC Two on Fridays?

The Friday edition of Newsnight will air at 7pm on BBC Two from Friday, September 18.

Chorley will bring viewers analysis of the week's biggest political developments, alongside the forensic interviews and incisive analysis the programme is known for.

The Monday to Thursday editions of Newsnight will remain in their current 10.30pm slot.

The programme is also presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Paddy O'Connell, alongside Chorley.

Why is Newsnight moving to 7pm on Fridays?

The BBC says Newsnight has continued to grow its audience since its format was refreshed in 2024.

Average viewing is up 11% year-on-year and 22% compared with levels before the refresh.

Viewing on BBC iPlayer has also increased by 42% year-on-year and is 173% higher than pre-refresh levels, according to the BBC.

Newsnight has also built a significant audience across social media and digital platforms.

Between July 2025 and the end of July 2026, the programme's content recorded more than 62 million TikTok views, 87 million Instagram views, 125 million Facebook Reels views and 44 million YouTube views.

What will Matt Chorley do on Newsnight?

Chorley will use the new Friday evening edition to examine the biggest political stories from the week and give viewers an insight into the issues likely to dominate the weekend conversation.

Speaking about the move, Chorley 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.

"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."

What did the BBC say about the Newsnight schedule change?

Jonathan Aspinwall, Executive Editor of Newsnight, said the programme has a long-standing reputation for its interviews and analysis.

He said: "Newsnight has long been known for its forensic interviews and sharp insights, helping audiences make sense of the biggest stories shaping our world.

"As more and more people discover Newsnight across the BBC's platforms, they can expect even more news-making guests, fresh and exciting voices, and the conversations everyone will be talking about over the weekend."

Newsnight has been on air for nearly 46 years and has produced some of British broadcasting's most memorable moments of public debate.

The programme can also be watched by audiences around the world on the BBC News channel.

Newsnight's new Friday edition starts at 7pm on BBC Two from Friday, September 18.

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