Saturday Night Live U.K. Renewed for Second Season

Sky's 'Saturday Night Live U.K.' will return for a second season. The show, which launched with an increased episode order and high-profile guests, has seen significant online engagement for some sketches.

Facts First

Sky's 'Saturday Night Live U.K.' is set to be renewed for a second season.

The show's first season was expanded from six to eight episodes before launch.

Each episode has a budget of approximately £2 million ($2.6 million).

The show has drawn notable guests and hosts, including Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, and J.J. Abrams.

Key sketches have garnered millions of views online, far exceeding live viewership numbers.

What Happened

Sky's 'Saturday Night Live U.K.' (SNL U.K.) is set to be renewed for a second season. The show's first season was increased from six to eight episodes before it launched. Each episode has a budget of approximately £2 million ($2.6 million). The premiere, hosted by 'SNL' alum Tina Fey, had 226,000 viewers. Subsequent episodes hosted by Jamie Dornan, Riz Ahmed, Jack Whitehall, Nicola Coughlan, and Aimee Lou Wood saw viewership ranging from approximately 119,540 to 143,700. The show has attracted high-profile studio audience members, including Sky CEO Dana Strong and producer J.J. Abrams for Episode 5. Key sketches, like the Prince Andrew cold open from Episode 2, have achieved 2.4 million views on YouTube.

Why this Matters to You

If you're a fan of sketch comedy, this renewal means more original U.K.-focused satire will be produced. As the show is on the subscription service Sky, you will need a Sky subscription to watch new episodes as they air, unlike shows on free-to-air channels like the BBC or ITV. The show's strong online performance for specific sketches suggests its cultural impact may be felt more through viral clips than traditional television ratings.

What's Next

Production for the second season is likely to begin following the renewal. The show may continue to feature a mix of U.K. and international hosts and guests, building on the involvement of figures like Lorne Michaels and Seth Meyers in its development. Its future could depend on balancing its subscription-based audience with its strategy for generating popular online content.

Perspectives

Sky Executives express immense pride in the series and maintain 'continued faith' in its potential, as evidenced by the decision to order a second season despite fluctuating viewership.

Industry Analysts note that the show's massive £2 million budget is 'almost unheard of' for a British comedy sketch series and observe that its high-profile guests make it 'something of a hot ticket' for industry collaborators.

Media Observers characterize the viewership as a 'rollercoaster' but argue that the ratings are 'actually pretty good for Sky' given its status as a subscription-only service compared to traditional broadcasters.