The UK version of Saturday Night Live (SNL) is drawing attention for its unusually high budget. Each episode is reportedly priced at nearly four times that of a typical U.K. sketch show. The figures highlight the scale of Sky’s investment, making the series one of the most expensive weekly comedy productions.
SNL UK adaptation’s per episode budget revealed
The UK version of Saturday Night Live is being produced on a scale that stands out within the U.K. television industry. According to Variety, each episode is reportedly costing close to £2 million to $2.6 million.
A key factor behind the budget is the show’s production model. For its entire eight-episode run, the series has secured exclusive access to the TC1 facility at Television Centre. This setup allows the production to operate continuously from a single location, with sets, offices, and technical spaces remaining in place between episodes.
Such an arrangement is rarely seen in the U.K., where most weekly shows are required to share studio space and reset production environments on a regular basis. The studio is typically home to The Graham Norton Show, which is set to return later in the year.
The budget also stands out when compared to industry norms. A typical British sketch program is estimated to cost between £300,000 and £500,000 per episode, placing Saturday Night Live U.K. well above the usual range. However, the U.K. adaptation remains less expensive than its American counterpart.
Beyond infrastructure, the production is supported by a large creative team. The show features an 11-member cast and a writing staff of around 20, working alongside a production team that includes Lorne Michaels as executive producer and James Longman as producer. The budget also accounts for the creation of multiple sets and costumes required for the show.
Originally planned as a six-episode run, the series was expanded to eight episodes ahead of its debut. The show premiered on March 21 on Sky One and the streaming platform NOW. Its first episode, hosted by Tina Fey, attracted 226,000 viewers and received a mixed critical response.
