‘SNL UK’ Ratings Plunge 42% with Riz Ahmed at the Helm
“SNL U.K.” experienced a significant ratings decline with a 42% drop during its third episode, hosted by Riz Ahmed. The episode managed to attract only 130,950 viewers, marking a loss of 95,050 from its previous high. This episode also saw a share of 1.8% of the audience, down from 226,000 in the premiere.
Ratings Overview
Here is a breakdown of viewership for the first three episodes:
- Episode 1: Hosted by Tina Fey – 226,000 viewers
- Episode 2: Hosted by Jamie Dornan – 205,000 viewers
- Episode 3: Hosted by Riz Ahmed – 130,950 viewers
Key Events in Episode 3
In Episode 3, the cold open featured a sketch about U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, portrayed by cast member George Fouracres. The sketch included celebrity appearances from:
- Harry Kane, played by Al Nash
- Olivia Colman, played by Emma Sidi
- Peppa Pig, played by Annabel Marlow
Ahmed’s opening monologue included self-deprecating humor and covered various topics, including “The Traitors” and the Easter Bunny. Within 17 hours of its release, his monologue gained 41,000 views on YouTube, while the cold open amassed 227,000 views.
Viewership Comparison
During its 10 PM timeslot, “SNL U.K.” faced stiff competition from other programs:
- Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier on Channel 4 – 342,000 viewers
- Top of the Pops 1989 on BBC 2 – 444,000 viewers
- The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV – nearly 1 million viewers
- BBC News – over 3 million viewers
Despite its struggles, “SNL U.K.” remained the top performer on Sky 1 that evening, surpassing “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” which attracted 71,660 viewers.
Upcoming Episode
Episode 4 will feature Jack Whitehall as the host, with Jorja Smith providing musical entertainment. As viewers eagerly anticipate the next installment, the series will need to address the substantial drop in audience numbers.
