So you’ve just turned on ITV expecting to see Robert Peston doing his thing, but the show’s not there. Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Loads of people search “why is Robert Peston not on TV tonight” pretty much every week, and honestly, there are some pretty simple reasons why.
Let me break it all down for you in plain English.
Who Is Robert Peston Anyway?
If you’re new to UK politics or just stumbled here wondering where your favourite political show went, here’s the quick version: Robert Peston is ITV’s Political Editor and hosts the weekly politics show that bears his name.
You might recognize him as that guy who:
- Asks politicians the awkward questions they’d rather avoid
- Broke loads of big stories during the 2008 banking crisis
- Has that distinctive way of speaking (you know what I mean)
- Won over 30 journalism awards
- Used to work for the BBC before joining ITV in 2015
He’s basically become one of those familiar faces in British political journalism. When he’s not on screen, people notice.
The Schedule Change Everyone Keeps Missing
Here’s the thing that trips up most viewers: the show moved from Wednesday to Monday nights in September 2025.
Yep, you read that right. If you’re tuning in on a Wednesday wondering “why isn’t Robert Peston on tonight,” that’s probably your answer right there.
Here’s when it actually airs now:
- Day: Monday evenings
- Live online: 9:00 PM (on Twitter/X and ITV platforms)
- On actual TV: 10:45 PM on ITV (after the news)
- How often: Once a week, when Parliament’s actually sitting
That schedule change caught loads of people off guard. I mean, after years of Wednesday nights, suddenly switching to Monday? No wonder everyone’s confused.
8 Real Reasons Why Peston Might Not Be On
Look, TV schedules aren’t set in stone. Here are the actual reasons why the Peston show might be taking a night off:
1. Parliament’s On Holiday
This is probably the biggest one. When MPs aren’t in Westminster, there’s less political drama to dissect. The show usually takes a break during:
- Summer holidays (late July to early September)
- Christmas break (mid-December to early January)
- Easter break (changes every year)
- Party conference season (September/October)
Makes sense really – not much point having a politics show when there’s not much politics happening.
2. Something Bigger Came Up
ITV sometimes needs to shuffle things around for bigger events. Think:
- Major football matches
- Breaking news that needs wall-to-wall coverage
- Election night specials
- Royal events
- National emergencies
When these happen, regular shows get bumped. It’s annoying, but that’s telly for you.
3. They’re Planning the Next Episodes
TV shows need prep time. The Peston team sometimes takes breaks to:
- Research upcoming topics
- Book big-name guests
- Sort out technical stuff
- Plan better content
- Give the crew a breather
Even weekly shows can’t run non-stop forever.
4. Robert Peston Is Covering Something Else
As ITV’s Political Editor, Peston doesn’t just do the weekly show. He also:
- Reports for ITV News
- Covers breaking political stories
- Does interviews for news bulletins
- Attends party conferences
- Travels for international political events
Sometimes he’s so busy with breaking news that the weekly show takes a backseat. It’s frustrating, but breaking news doesn’t wait for scheduled programming.
5. ITV Changed Things Up
Networks move shows around all the time. Maybe they’re:
- Testing different time slots
- Making room for a special documentary
- Adjusting for seasonal viewing habits
- Trying to boost ratings in different slots
These decisions happen above the show’s pay grade, basically.
6. Technical Gremlins
Rare, but it happens. Studios have equipment failures, broadcast issues, weather problems – all sorts can go wrong. When it does, shows get delayed or cancelled.
7. The Guests Pulled Out
Peston’s interview style relies on getting big political names on the show. Sometimes:
- Politicians cancel last minute (happens more than you’d think)
- Security concerns pop up
- The news agenda changes suddenly
- Multiple guests become unavailable
Rather than put out a rubbish episode, they’ll sometimes postpone.
8. It’s Just a Regular Break
Like any TV show, Peston takes scheduled breaks throughout the year. Not every week can have an episode, especially during quieter political periods.
How to Actually Find Out What’s Going On
Instead of frantically Googling “why is Robert Peston not on TV tonight,” here’s where to check:
Best places to look:
- @Peston on Twitter – Robert usually tweets if there’s a change
- @itvpeston – The official show account
- ITVX app – Shows upcoming episodes
- ITV’s website – Has the schedule
- Check the hashtag #Peston – Other viewers usually know what’s up
Honestly, Twitter’s your best bet. If something’s changed, people are talking about it there.
What to Watch Instead
Missing your Peston fix? Here are some alternatives while you wait:
Other UK politics shows:
- Question Time( BBC One) – The classic panel debate
- Politics Live (BBC Two) – Weekday politics chat
- Newsnight (BBC Two) – Late-night political analysis
- Sunday morning political shows – Various on BBC
ITV’s own stuff:
- ITV News at Ten – Still has political coverage
- ITV News at 6:30 – Earlier bulletin
- ITV News website – Written updates
If you like podcasts:
- Calling Peston – ITV’s politics podcast
- The Rest is Money – Peston’s economics podcast
There’s actually loads out there if you know where to look.
Why Do People Care So Much When He’s Not On?
Good question. Every time the show doesn’t air, Twitter goes mad with people asking “why isn’t Peston on tonight?” So what’s the big deal?
People rate the show because:
He asks proper questions Robert Peston doesn’t let politicians off easy. He actually follows up when they dodge questions, which viewers love.
It makes politics less boring The show breaks down complicated Westminster stuff into language normal people can understand. Not everyone speaks fluent politics-ese.
The timing matters Weekly shows give you context that the daily news just can’t. You get the bigger picture, not just today’s drama.
Big name guests When you’re getting Prime Ministers, Cabinet members, and party leaders, viewers are going to tune in.
What happens on social media:
When there’s no show, you’ll see people:
- Complaining they missed their weekly politics fix
- Guessing why it’s not on
- Already looking forward to next week
- Recommending other shows to watch
It’s actually quite funny how invested people get.
When Will It Come Back?
If you’re wondering “when is Peston back on TV,” it depends on why it’s off:
Usually:
- After a one-week break: Next Monday, same time
- After Parliament returns: Within a week or so
- After special programming: The following scheduled slot
- After a production break: They’ll announce it on social media
Stay in the loop:
- Follow Robert Peston and the show on Twitter
- Check ITVX for upcoming episodes
- Turn on notifications for their social accounts
- Look at ITV’s schedule online
Pretty straightforward really.
How the Show Got to Where It Is Now
A bit of history helps explain the current setup:
Peston on Sunday (2016-2018)
When Robert Peston first left the BBC for ITV, his show aired Sunday mornings at 10 AM. It competed with BBC’s Sunday political programmes and got repeated in the evening.
Peston on Wednesday (2018-2025)
In 2018, they dropped “on Sunday” and just called it “Peston.” It moved to Wednesday evenings – 9 PM live online, 10:45 PM on ITV proper. This became the slot everyone got used to.
Peston on Monday (September 2025-Now)
The most recent change – shifting to Monday nights. Same times, different day. The idea is catching politics at the start of the week when Westminster’s gearing up.
Each move was trying to find the sweet spot for viewers and relevance.
Why Robert Peston Actually Matters
To understand why people ask “why is Robert Peston not on TV tonight,” you need to know why he’s a big deal in the first place:
Career highlights:
The 2008 Financial Crisis Peston basically became a household name during the banking crisis. His scoops on Northern Rock and other banks failing made complex financial chaos understandable to regular people.
Brexit Coverage He was front and centre covering one of Britain’s most chaotic political periods. His analysis helped people make sense of the madness.
COVID-19 Reporting During the pandemic, his questioning of government decisions and scientists was crucial for public understanding.
2024 General Election Covered major political shifts including Trump’s return in the US and UK domestic changes.
The awards speak for themselves:
He’s won Journalist of the Year, Scoop of the Year (twice), and over 30 other awards. That kind of track record is why his absence from TV gets noticed.
How the Show Actually Works
Understanding what goes into making Peston helps explain why things sometimes change:
Before the show (days ahead):
- Research team finds the big stories
- Producers chase after politicians to appear
- Questions get written and rewritten
- Everyone does their homework
- Tech stuff gets sorted
On the day:
- Guests arrive (hopefully)
- Studio setup happens
- 9 PM live stream goes out on Twitter/X
- Recording for TV broadcast
- Editing for the 10:45 PM slot
After:
- Clips go on social media
- Full episode hits ITVX
- Written pieces go on ITV News website
- Segments get used in other news programmes
It’s actually quite a machine. When any part goes wrong, schedules slip.
Your Questions Answered
Is Robert Peston leaving ITV?
Nope. He’s still there as Political Editor and presenter. Nothing’s changed on that front.
Has the show been cancelled?
No way. Peston is still ITV’s main political show. Any time it’s not on is temporary – breaks, scheduling, or special circumstances.
Why Monday instead of Wednesday now?
The move to Monday nights in September 2025 lets them kick off the political week when Parliament’s just getting started. Better timing for current debates.
Can I watch it if I miss it live?
Yeah, full episodes go on ITVX after broadcast. Clips end up on social media too.
How do I ask Robert Peston a question?
Tweet using #Peston, message the show on Facebook, or use email addresses they sometimes share during broadcasts.
Does he do other ITV stuff?
All the time. As Political Editor, he pops up on ITV News at Ten, the 6:30 bulletin, special coverage, breaking news – basically whenever big political stuff happens.
What about Anushka Asthana?
She co-hosts Peston alongside Robert. She’s ITV’s Deputy Political Editor and brings her own angle to discussions.
What’s Next for the Show
Looking ahead, Peston will probably keep evolving:
You can expect:
- More online and streaming integration
- Interactive stuff with viewers
- Bigger social media presence
- Same hard-hitting interviews
- Coverage of new issues like AI rules, climate policy, economic challenges
Coming up in politics:
- Trump administration’s effect on UK-US relations
- Current UK government policy debates
- Big parliamentary votes
- International events affecting Britain
- Budget discussions and economic policy
The show’s not going anywhere. Political appetite for proper analysis isn’t disappearing.
Bottom Line
So when you’re wondering “why is Robert Peston not on TV tonight,” it usually comes down to pretty simple stuff: wrong day, Parliament’s off, special programming, or just a regular break.
Quick recap:
- It’s Monday nights now – 10:45 PM on ITV (9 PM online)
- Breaks happen during parliamentary recesses
- Special events sometimes bump the show
- Robert Peston’s still there and not going anywhere
- Watch on ITVX if you miss it live
- Follow on Twitter (@Peston and @itvpeston) for updates
The show’s occasional absence is usually just the normal rhythm of political broadcasting. Parliament takes breaks, TV schedules shift, production needs happen. It’s all pretty normal.
For anyone who values a political journalist actually holding feet to the fire, the wait between episodes is worth it. Peston’s weekly dose of accountability journalism keeps helping viewers cut through political waffle.
Quick tips:
- Follow @Peston on Twitter for his updates
- Follow @itvpeston for show announcements
- Check ITVX for on-demand episodes
- Turn on Twitter notifications for the show
- Look at ITV’s online schedule regularly
Whether you’re a total politics nerd or just trying to understand what’s happening in Westminster, Peston remains one of the best places to get straight answers. Sure, the question “why isn’t Robert Peston on TV tonight” comes up now and then, but his influence on British political journalism keeps ticking along week after week.
Give it time, check the schedule, and you’ll catch the next episode soon enough.
