Saturday night television in the UK has a reliable anchor: Britain’s Got Talent. Whether you’re catching the live semi-finals or planning your evening around the final, the one question that keeps popping up is simple: what time is it on? Here’s the full 2026 schedule with confirmed dates, typical start times, and where to watch so you never miss an act.
Current Season: 2026 · Semi-Final Start Time: 7pm Saturday (usually) · Streaming: ITV1, ITVX, STV
Quick snapshot
- Semi-finals air live on Saturday nights on ITV1, ITVX, and STV (ITVX watch page)
- Semi-Final 5 airs Saturday 23 May 2026 at 7pm (ITV programme page)
- The fourth semi-final moved to 6pm on 16 May 2026 to avoid clashing with Eurovision (Wikipedia)
- The 2026 final date has not been officially announced (ITV programme page)
- Start times for audition episodes are not consistently published (ITV programme page)
- US Eastern Time conversion depends on British Summer Time (typically 1pm ET for 7pm BST) (ITV programme page)
- Final date to be confirmed; likely late May/early June 2026 (ITV programme page)
- Watch live on ITVX or catch up on STV Player (ITV programme page)
- Check ITV schedule for any last-minute changes (ITV programme page)
The semi-final schedule is not uniform: one episode slides to 6pm to avoid Eurovision, so viewers should set reminders for the specific date.
The pattern: 5 key facts about Britain’s Got Talent 2026 show a mix of confirmed dates and typical timing patterns.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Show Name | Britain’s Got Talent |
| Network | ITV1, STV, ITVX |
| Current Season | 2026 |
| Semi-Final Start Time | 7pm Saturday (except 16 May at 6pm) |
| Final Time (2025) | 7pm Saturday 31 May 2025 |
What time is Britain’s Got Talent tonight?
What is the typical start time for BGT semi-finals?
- The live semi-finals typically air at 7pm on Saturday nights on ITV1, ITVX, and STV, according to the ITV programme page (official broadcaster).
- An exception occurred for the fourth semi-final (16 May 2026), which aired at 6pm to avoid overlapping with the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final (ITVX watch page; Wikipedia).
The implication: The standard 7pm slot is reliable for most semi-finals, but major live events on ITV can push the start an hour earlier.
Is the show live tonight?
- Yes — the semi-final episodes are broadcast live from the venue. ITV’s platform pages state that the show “goes live on Saturday nights for the Semi-Finals” (ITVX watch page).
The pattern: If you’re watching on catch-up via ITVX, the episode is available shortly after the live broadcast ends, but the excitement of a live audience is part of the experience.
If you rely on a 7pm habit, you’ll miss the 16 May episode entirely. Set your calendar now for 6pm that week.
What time is BGT on tonight, 21st March?
What time does the episode start?
- According to the Wikipedia episode list (community-contributed schedule), the semi-finals had not begun by 21 March 2026. The series started with audition episodes in February and March, but specific airtimes for those early episodes are not consistently listed.
- If the show aired on that date, it was likely a pre-recorded audition episode; typical audition slots have varied in past years (often 8pm or 7pm). ITV’s official schedule should be checked for exact times.
Which channel is airing BGT on 21st March?
- All episodes of Britain’s Got Talent air on ITV1, ITVX, and STV in Scotland (ITV programme page).
The takeaway: Not every Saturday in spring is a semi-final night. Audition episodes fill the early weeks and may run at a different time — always consult your local ITV listing.
Is Britain’s Got Talent on tonight, 16th May 2026?
What episode is on 16th May?
- Yes — this is the fourth semi-final of the 2026 series (Wikipedia).
What time does semi-final 4 start?
- The start time is 6pm, one hour earlier than the typical 7pm slot. ITV’s watch listing confirms the 6pm start for 16 May 2026 (ITVX watch page).
- According to Wikipedia, the episode was scheduled from 6pm to 8pm to avoid clashing with the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final (Wikipedia).
The catch: The earlier start time means you’ll need to tune in an hour ahead of the usual 7pm slot. Set a reminder now.
When is the BGT 2026 final on ITV as full line-up confirmed?
Has the final date been announced?
- As of now, ITV has not officially confirmed the 2026 final date. The ITV programme page (official broadcaster) lists semi-finals continuing but does not yet list a final.
- For reference, the 2025 final aired on Saturday 31 May 2025 at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX (based on ITV’s previous schedule).
What time does the final start?
- If past patterns hold, the final will likely start at 7pm on a Saturday in late May or early June. The exact time will be announced alongside the date.
The pattern: Fans will have to wait for an official ITV announcement, but the historical pattern points to a late-May Saturday at 7pm.
Why is Britain’s Got Talent not on tonight?
Common schedule breaks during BGT season
- The series took a break on 14 March 2026 because ITV carried live coverage of the final match weekend of the 2026 Six Nations Championship (Wikipedia (community-contributed schedule)).
- Gaps also occur between the audition rounds and the start of live semi-finals. For example, after the early auditions, there may be a week off before the semi-final block begins.
What happens on weeks without a semi-final?
- On nights when BGT isn’t scheduled, ITV airs other programming. Always check the weekly ITV schedule or the ITV programme page for the most current listings.
The pattern: Major live events on ITV can preempt BGT, and the show itself has built-in breaks. The safest way to know if it’s on is to check listings the day before.
2026 BGT Timeline
- Early 2026 – Auditions (pre-recorded, aired on ITV1)
- 21 February 2026 – Series 19 premiere (Wikipedia)
- 14 March 2026 – No episode (Six Nations coverage)
- 25 April 2026 – Semi-Final 1 (Wikipedia)
- 2 May 2026 – Semi-Final 2 (Wikipedia)
- 9 May 2026 – Semi-Final 3 at 7pm (ITVX watch page)
- 16 May 2026 – Semi-Final 4 at 6pm (Eurovision clash) (ITVX watch page)
- 23 May 2026 – Semi-Final 5 at 7pm (ITV programme page)
- TBC 2026 – Final (date/time to be announced)
The 16 May episode is the only semi-final that starts an hour early. Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss it.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
- Semi-Final 1 airs 25 April 2026 (time TBC but typically 7pm) (Wikipedia)
- Semi-Final 4 airs 16 May 2026 at 6pm (ITVX watch page)
- Semi-Final 5 airs 23 May 2026 at 7pm (ITV programme page)
- Final date for 2026 not yet confirmed
- Exact start times for audition episodes are not consistently published
- US Eastern Time conversion varies with daylight saving (1pm ET for 7pm BST, but check local)
“Semi-Finals continue Saturday at 7pm.”
— ITV programme page (official broadcaster)
“Goes live on Saturday nights for the Semi-Finals.”
— ITVX watch page (official streaming platform)
For UK viewers, the key is to check ITV’s schedule each week, especially around major live events. The catch: you can catch every act live on ITVX, but you’ll need to be alert for time shifts like the Eurovision-adjusted 6pm start.
For the exact air time, check tonights Britains Got Talent schedule for the latest ITV schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch Britain’s Got Talent online?
Stream live on ITVX (free with ads) or use the STV Player for viewers in Scotland. Both platforms offer catch-up for 30 days.
Do I need a TV license to watch BGT on ITVX?
Yes, you need a valid TV license to watch live broadcasts on ITVX or any other streaming service in the UK.
Can I watch BGT on catch-up?
Yes, episodes are available on ITVX for 30 days after broadcast (ITV programme page).
What time is BGT in US Eastern Time?
When BST is in effect (late March to October), 7pm BST = 2pm EDT, 6pm BST = 1pm EDT. Before clocks change, 7pm GMT = 2pm EST. Always double-check with a time zone converter.
Why does BGT sometimes air on different days?
Saturday is the standard day for semi-finals, but pre-recorded auditions have occasionally aired on other weeknights in past series. The 2026 schedule follows Saturdays.
How long is the gap between semi-finals?
Semi-finals air weekly on Saturdays, with a one-week gap between each. The timeline above shows consecutive Saturdays from 25 April to 23 May.
Are there auditions scheduled before the semi-finals?
Yes, the pre-recorded audition episodes aired from 21 February 2026 through early April. Specific airtimes vary; check ITV’s schedule for each week.
Oliver Bennett is Managing Editor at WordPatch.co.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and the submissions workflow.