Why is Britain’s Got Talent on Sunday instead of Saturday this week? Reason behind ITV’s BGT schedule shake-up revealed
BRITAIN’S Got Talent has revealed a major change to its scheduling ahead of the next episode.
Viewers hoping to tune in for another dose of variety entertainment tomorrow night (May 11, 2024) will be disappointed as BGT won’t be on.
Why isn’t Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday 11, May 2024?
Britain’s Got Talent has revealed they have moved to a different slot in the ITV schedule, following a shake-up by the broadcaster this weekend.
The change was announced at the end of the last episode which aired on May 4, 2024.
But the announcement left some viewers confused.
One wrote on social media platform X: “Sunday next week, what’s more important than BGT on a Saturday?”
That important thing turns out to be the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take up the bulk of Saturday night on rival channel the BBC.
ITV doesn’t want to go head-to-head in the ratings war with Eurovision, as it traditionally pulls in more viewers.
Every year 180 million fans tune in world wide to watch it.
It’s not the first time BGT has been scrapped in order to avoid a battle with Eurovision.
In fact, in 2023 the show was also moved to the Sunday to make way for the famous Song Contest.
Instead of BGT tomorrow night the James Bond movie Casino Royale has been listed to air on ITV at 8pm in its place.
When will Britain’s Got Talent air this week?
Fans of the hit ITV primetime show, hosted by Ant and Dec, will have to wait an extra day to watch it this weekend.
The next episode of BGT will instead air on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
This means, fans will only have to wait an extra 24 hours to get their next BGT fix.
Interesting to see that ITV have postponed next week’s BGT until Sunday.
BGT fan on X/Twitter
The action will kick off from 7.40pm on ITV.
In case you’ve forgotten what happened on the last episode (May 4, 2024) fans were up in arms AGAIN, claiming once more that BGT was fixed.
They moaned about the international nature of the series – which they did not believe suited the title of the show, particularly when there are offshoots of the Got Talent series across the globe.
They called out acts including Duncan Murray, from Canada, as well as acrobatic act Serbat Troupe from Kazakhstan and Italian‘s Umberto and Damiano, who performed a hilarious skit from Disney movie Frozen
What have viewers said about BGT being cancelled on Saturday?
After the news BGT had been cancelled on Saturday was revealed, some fans weren’t pleased.
One said: “No BGT, what the hell will I watch?”
While another vented: “I’m not happy BGT isn’t on, I need my Saturday fix!”
This one chimed in: “Interesting to see that ITV have postponed next week’s BGT until Sunday.
“Now I’m not a fan of Eurovision, but the fact that ITV have chosen to move one of their biggest flagship shows is a telling sign that they feel threatened by the Doctor Who-Eurovision combo.”
How to watch Britain’s Got Talent
Britain’s Got Talent kicked off on April 20, 2024 on ITV.
The show is presided over by an all star judging panel made up of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli.
Episodes air every week on Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 7.40pm.
The prize for winning BGT includes £250K and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
Speaking about why BGT continues to be a success, head judge Simon‘ told The Sun: “I always thought, if we can get three or four years out of this, it’ll be amazing.
“Then you reach ten years and you think, that’s a real milestone.
“Now so many people come from all over the world to compete.”
Timeline of BGT winners
Britain's Got Talent has been thrilling fans since it burst onto the scene in 2007.
Here we take a look at all the BGT winners – from the first ever one to the most recent:
2007: Paul Potts – The first ever winner of BGT was opera singer Paul Potts. He saw off competition from Connie Talbot, The Bar Wizards, Bessie Cursors, Damon Scott and Kombat Breakers to win.
2008: George Sampson – In series two of Britain’s Got Talent a young George Sampson wowed judges and viewers with his impressive dance moves.
2009: Diversity – Dance troupe Diversity scooped the BGT crown and beat of competition from singer Susan Boyle, who was strongly tipped to win the show.
2010 – Spellbound: Gymnastic troupe Spellbound really impressed judge Simon Cowell with their stunning routines and incredible stunts in 2010. At the time, the music mogul said: “I can only say on live television that was one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen.”
2011 – Jai McDowall: Viewers were stunned when Jai McDowall won the show in 2011, as young singer Ronan Parke was the favourite to win the series.
2012 – Ashleigh and Pudsy: Ashleigh Butler and her adorable pooch Pudsey stole hearts when they performed in series six of the talent show.
2013 – Attraction: Hungarian shadow artist group Attraction won the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent. The squad had taken part in the German version of BGT in 2012, however, they had only placed seventh.
2014 – Collabro: Classical music band Collabro faced tough competition in the 2014 final as all the finalist were singers, but they went on to scoop the crown.
2015 – Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse: Dog lovers everywhere could’t get enough of Jules O’Dwyer and pet pup Matisse. The impressive duo even performed on a tightrope to secure their win.
2016 – Richard Jones: Army man Richard Jones became the first magician in the show’s history to win Britain’s Got Talent.
2017 – Tokio Myers: Pianist Tokio Myers impressed the judges with his blend of classical and electronic music.
2018 – Lost Voice Guy: Stand-up comedian Lost Voice Guy, who performs with a speech synthesiser, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was six months old. However, he defied the odds and is a BGT champ.
2019 – Colin Thackery: Veteran army officer Colin Thackery warmed the nations hearts with his singing voice. He was crowned winner of BGT after singing Michael Ball’s Love Changes Everything.
2020 – Jon Courtenay: Singer and pianist Jon Courtenay was Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer act. After he won the £250,000 prize he said: “”Just amazing, I can’t believe it.”
2022 – Axel Blake: Comedian Axel Blake scooped the crown after the show was off air for two years during Covid.
2023 – Viggo Venn: The reigning BGT champ is comedian Viggo Venn.