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BBC extends Graham Norton’s hit chat show for three more seasons
The Graham Norton Show will remain a Friday night staple on BBC One and iPlayer after the broadcaster confirmed a three-season renewal beginning with Season 34 next year. The long-running talk show — currently in its 33rd season — continues to pull A-list guests and viral moments; the latest episode paired global superstar Taylor Swift with actors Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner‑Smith, Domhnall Gleeson and musician Lewis Capaldi.
Why the deal matters: the programme averaged roughly 2.9 million viewers per episode this season and is still the U.K.’s biggest chat show. In an era when clips and short-form video drive discovery, Norton’s sofa remains a powerful platform: highlights routinely rack up millions of views across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook, extending the show’s cultural reach far beyond the live broadcast.
Format, legacy and cultural footprint
Graham Norton’s format — lively group interviews, witty monologues, and audience interaction — has become a model for celebrity talk on British television. Launched on BBC Two in 2007 and later moving to BBC One, the series has earned BAFTAs, National Television Awards and other industry honours. Norton and his production company, So Television, have roots going back to the late 1990s, and the programme’s longevity signals a rare continuity in a fast-changing TV landscape.
The show is often compared to late-night formats on both sides of the Atlantic. Where American hosts may focus on monologue-and-music-show structure, Norton’s sofa-based, ensemble approach creates candid, shareable moments — think quickfire anecdotes that travel well online. That difference helps explain why international stars still choose Norton for relaxed, memorable interviews.
Behind the scenes and the future
BBC executives praise Norton’s ability to attract top talent; producers point to social media strategy as key to ongoing relevance. Critics have occasionally argued the format risks becoming predictable, but the show’s continued ratings and streaming performance suggest it has adapted effectively to the clip-driven age.
Fans will be watching for how Season 34 evolves: will the show introduce more streaming-first content, or double down on live moments that create overnight headlines? Either way, the renewal secures another stretch of headline-making interviews and viral clips for both the BBC and the global entertainment ecosystem.
Short note: Graham Norton’s mix of warmth, sharp humor, and a knack for coaxing revealing stories keeps the sofa one of TV’s most reliable stages for stars promoting film, TV and music projects.
Source: variety
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