A BBC schedule shake-up has been confirmed – after staff on an iconic show worried it was under threat of being axed.

The originally launched on screens back in 1980.

Paddy O'Connell, Victoria Derbyshire, and Matt Chorley, the Newsnight presenters, smile at the camera.A schedule shake-up has been confirmed for long-running BBC show Newsnight Credit: BBC Victoria Derbyshire presenting NEWSNIGHT.Victoria Derbyshire joined Newsnight in 2022 Credit: BBC

From September 18, Friday editions of Newsnight will move to a new 7pm slot on Two.

Matt Chorley, since 2025, will present Newsnight each Friday evening.

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.

Nigel Farage speaking with a caption on screen stating: "Nigel Farage has said in response to this we should respond to this".Matt Chorley presents the Friday editions of Newsnight Credit: BBC Kirsty Wark and Jeremy Paxman on the set of Newsnight.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

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.”