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ITV confirmed on May 11, 2026 that The 1% Club, hosted by comedian Lee Mack, has been renewed for three additional series. The decision extends the quiz show’s run through a multi-year deal, capitalizing on the program’s unprecedented success as the biggest original game show in the UK in over a decade. The renewal includes new episodes alongside spin-off formats, positioning the show as ITV’s flagship Saturday night entertainment.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The 1% Club renewed for 3 more series through May 2026 announcement
- Show has reached 43 million viewers since launch in April 2022
- Currently the biggest original quiz show in the UK in over 10 years
- Won 3 consecutive National TV Awards for Best Quiz Show
- Sold to 15 territories internationally, including Sweden and Italy
How The 1% Club Conquered Saturday Night Television
The 1% Club debuted on ITV in April 2022, introducing a fresh format to prime-time entertainment. Unlike traditional quiz shows, the program features 100 contestants tackling 15 logical reasoning questions of escalating difficulty, from 90% down to the exclusive 1% question that carries the ultimate prize. Lee Mack‘s hosting style—combining sharp wit with genuine enthusiasm—transformed the concept into appointment viewing. The show’s 30-second time limits and mobile phone answer-locking mechanism create genuine tension and engagement, distinguishing it from conventional knowledge-based quiz formats. Within its first three years, the program established itself as a cultural touchstone for UK audiences.
Prior to the May 2026 renewal, The 1% Club had already secured multiple accolades. The show won Best Game Show at the 2026 TV Choice Awards, furthering its reputation for quality and innovation in the genre. The format’s international success proved equally remarkable, becoming the top-selling new UK television format created in the past 8 years.
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Viewership Metrics and Global Expansion Strategy
The renewal decision reflects compelling audience data. Since launch, The 1% Club has accumulated 43 million viewers across all platforms, with individual episodes regularly exceeding 5.8 million viewers in consolidated figures. This positioning makes the show the largest original game show on ITV and the broader UK television landscape. The program’s consistent performance across Saturday nights has reinforced ITV’s Saturday primetime strategy.
| Metric | Achievement |
| Total Viewers (Since Launch) | 43 million |
| Average Episode Viewership | 5.8 million+ |
| International Territories | 15 countries |
| National TV Awards (Consecutive) | 3-time winner (Best Quiz Show) |
| Launch Date | April 9, 2022 |
| Spin-Offs Planned | 1% Club Rollover specials and additional formats |
Sue Murphy, ITV’s Director of Factual Entertainment, provided official commentary on the renewal decision, stating: “We’re thrilled to be renewing The 1% Club for a further three years.” The comment underscores the network’s confidence in the format’s sustained commercial and audience appeal. The show’s international expansion—with versions already produced in Sweden and Italy—demonstrates its universal format durability across different markets.
“We’re thrilled to be renewing The 1% Club for a further three years. The show has established itself as a global hit and the biggest original quiz show in more than a decade.”
— Sue Murphy, Director of Factual Entertainment, ITV Press Centre
Lee Mack’s Role in the Show’s Success and Future Direction
Lee Mack, born August 4, 1968, brought established credibility to The 1% Club‘s hosting role. Prior to the quiz show, the Lancashire-born comedian had built a substantial television career spanning multiple decades. He remains a regular team captain on the BBC‘s long-running panel show Would I Lie to You?, where his quick wit and storytelling earned him a devoted fan base. Additionally, Mack created, wrote, and starred in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out, which has become a flagship comedy program. His previous television credits include appearances on The Sketch Show and They Think It’s All Over. This accumulated expertise in entertainment positioning made him ideally suited to anchor The 1% Club‘s distinctive format. The renewal through 2029 confirms that Mack will continue fronting the series, with his rapport with contestants remaining central to the show’s appeal. The evolution of hosting roles across ITV programming suggests continued investment in established personalities.
What the Renewal Means for UK Television’s Game Show Landscape
The 1% Club’s renewal positions the show as a cornerstone of ITV’s entertainment strategy through the remainder of the 2020s. The commitment supports broader industry trends favoring genuinely original formats over international adaptations. The program’s success has also proven that UK audiences remain engaged with competitive game shows when they offer novel intellectual challenges. The three-series commitment provides stability for production planning, allowing Magnum Media to develop spin-off content including 1% Club Rollover special episodes. This expansion universe suggests potential for themed tournaments, celebrity specials, and international crossover content. The renewal validates ITV’s strategic pivot toward flagship Saturday shows that appeal simultaneously to mass audiences and niche enthusiast communities.
Could The 1% Club Maintain Its Momentum Beyond 2029?
The three-year renewal extends commitment through approximately 2029, but the show’s international growth trajectory raises intriguing questions about its ultimate longevity. Will formats proven successful across 15 territories eventually lead to a second American adaptation? Could celebrity or team-based variants emerge to freshen the core concept? The renewal announcement conspicuously emphasizes both new series and specials, hinting at format experimentation beyond standard weekly episodes. Given the show’s trajectory from launch in April 2022 to 43 million cumulative viewers and international prestige, the foundation exists for expanded versions. Viewer retention levels through Series 5 and beyond will ultimately determine whether ITV exercises options for additional commitments beyond the current three-year window.
Sources
- ITV Press Centre (May 12, 2026) – Official renewal announcement and production details
- Radio Times (May 11, 2026) – Initial renewal news report with audience statistics
- Deadline (February 18, 2026) – International format sales reporting for Sweden and Italy
- Wikipedia – Historical context on The 1% Club format and Lee Mack biography
- Prolific North (February 20, 2026) – UK format market analysis and international territory data
