# BBC makes huge Newsnight announcement after job axe fears

**By:** Emmanuella Ngimbi  
**Published:** 2026-09-16T20:16:00+01:00  
**Source:** [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2249237/bbc-makes-huge-newsnight-announcement)

---

The BBC have confirmed another programming shake-up with Newsnight.

BBC bosses have announced Newsnight's air time has shifted (Image: BBC)
The BBC have confirmed a major programming shake-up and revealed that its hit programme, Newsnight, will no longer air at 10:30pm. Instead, the Friday editions of the flagship news and current affairs programme will now air at a new peak time of 7:30pm. Matt Chorley, who joined the Newsnight team in 2025, will present the programme each Friday evening. While Monday to Thursday episodes will continue to broadcast from 10:30pm, presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Paddy O'Connell.

Addressing the shake-up, Matt stated: "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."

The political show's friday episodes will be presented by Matt Chorley (Image: BBC)
This shake-up comes after fears of huge job cuts, following reports that the BBC would dramatically slash its TV team behind broadcasts of royal occasions and veterans' remembrance events to "just one member of staff". The cost-saving measure came as a result of the BBC needing to make £500 million in savings over the next two years, and eye-watering cuts of up to 2,000 jobs.

Just last week, a staff member at Newsnight raised concerns that the  show could be axed completely, telling The Sun: "Everyone is concerned for Newsnight and how it will fare in the next cuts. We’ve been warned that there are likely budget reductions and revisions next year. It’s a worrying time."

Despite this, the BBC have revealed Newsnight has continued to grow its audience since it was refreshed in 2024. Its average viewing is up 11% year-on-year and 22% compared with pre-refresh levels. Viewing on BBC iPlayer has grown by 42% year-on-year and by 173% compared with pre-refresh levels.

Concerns were raised about Newsnight being axed completely (Image: Getty)
Addressing the change, the Executive Editor of Newsnight, Jonathan Aspinwall, stated: "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."