If you’ve been following the backstabbing and drama of The Traitors season 4, you’re probably checking your watch for the next episode. The schedule shifted in the final week, with the finale landing at 8:30pm on Friday, 23 January 2026 – a half-hour later than the usual 8pm slot.

4 related posts

Typical airtime (season 4): 8:00pm BST on BBC One ·
Finale airtime: 8:30pm BST on 23 January 2026 ·
Finale duration: 75 minutes ·
Regular episode length: 60 minutes ·
Filming location: Ardross Castle, Scottish Highlands ·
Number of episodes (season 4): 12

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact schedule for future seasons not yet confirmed
  • Whether Celebrity Traitors will return for another series
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Finale aired; catch up on BBC iPlayer
  • Season 5 expected but no date announced

Six facts, one pattern: the finale broke the regular schedule with a later start and longer runtime.

Show The Traitors (UK)
Season 4 finale date
Airtime (finale) 8:30pm BST
Duration (finale) 75 minutes
Channel BBC One
Filming location Ardross Castle, Scotland

What time is Traitors on tonight and how long does it last?

What time does the Traitors start tonight?

  • Regular episodes in season 4 began at 8:00pm BST on BBC One (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
  • The finale started at 8:30pm BST on 23 January 2026 (ELLE UK (fashion & culture magazine))
  • Episodes air on BBC One and are available on BBC iPlayer immediately after (ELLE UK (fashion & culture magazine))

How many minutes is an episode of The Traitors?

  • Most episodes run 60 minutes (including ad-free on BBC) (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
  • The season 4 finale was extended to 75 minutes (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
Regular episodes start at 8pm and run 60 minutes, but the finale moved to 8:30pm and lasted 75 minutes — check the schedule to avoid missing it.
The trade-off

Viewers who tuned in at the usual 8pm for the finale would have missed the first 30 minutes. The later start gave producers room for a longer, more dramatic conclusion.

The pattern: Regular 60-minute episodes keep the pace tight; the finale’s extra 15 minutes allowed for a more elaborate reveal. For UK viewers, the 8pm default is reliable – except when it isn’t.

What time is The Traitors final on BBC?

Is it The Traitors finale tonight?

  • The season 4 finale aired on Friday, 23 January 2026 (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
  • It was the 12th and final episode of the season (ELLE UK (fashion & culture magazine))

When is the final episode airing?

  • The finale aired at 8:30pm BST on BBC One on 23 January 2026 (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
  • It ran for 75 minutes, ending around 9:45pm (ELLE UK (fashion & culture magazine))
The season 4 finale aired on 23 January at 8:30pm for 75 minutes — treat it as a special event, not a regular episode.
The catch

If you missed the finale live, it’s instantly available on BBC iPlayer. But the 8:30pm start was a one-off – don’t expect future finales to follow the same schedule.

Why this matters: Viewers who relied on the 8pm pattern risked missing the finale’s first half-hour. The BBC’s decision to shift the slot signals that the finale is treated as a special event, not a regular episode.

How to watch Traitors US in Ireland?

How to watch celebrity traitors in Ireland?

  • The Traitors UK airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Ireland, accessible via standard TV and the iPlayer app (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
  • Celebrity Traitors has previously aired on BBC Three; its return hasn’t been confirmed

Can I watch The Traitors on BBC iPlayer in Ireland?

  • Yes, BBC iPlayer is available in Ireland and streams episodes immediately after BBC One broadcast (ELLE UK (fashion & culture magazine))
  • No additional subscription needed beyond a TV licence
Irish viewers can watch the UK version on BBC One and iPlayer; the US version requires Peacock with a VPN.

The implication: Irish viewers have the same access as UK viewers for the BBC version. The US version, however, remains on Peacock and requires a separate subscription – no cross-border streaming deal exists.

Where is The Traitors filmed?

What castle is used for The Traitors?

  • The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands
  • The castle serves as the main set for all exterior and many interior scenes

Are interiors filmed at the castle?

  • Interior scenes are shot partly at Ardross Castle and partly at BBC studios in Glasgow
Ardross Castle provides the gothic atmosphere, but confessionals and challenges are filmed in Glasgow studios for control.

The pattern: Ardross Castle provides the gothic backdrop that defines the show’s atmosphere, but the production moves to Glasgow studios for controlled filming of key confessionals and challenges.

What channel is The Traitors on tonight?

What time is traitors on tonight est?

  • The UK version airs at 8pm BST, which is 3pm ET (Eastern Time) (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
  • US viewers cannot watch the UK version live on standard TV; it streams on Peacock for the US version only

What channel is The Traitors on in the US?

  • The Traitors US streams exclusively on Peacock
  • The UK version is not broadcast on US television
US fans of the UK version need a VPN and BBC iPlayer; the US edition on Peacock has a different cast and format.

The trade-off: US fans of the UK version need a VPN and BBC iPlayer access, or must wait for unofficial uploads. Peacock offers the US version with a different cast and slightly different format.

What to watch

If you’re in Ireland and want to watch The Traitors US, you’ll need a Peacock subscription via VPN – no legitimate local broadcaster carries it. The UK version remains the easier option for Irish viewers.

For viewers in the UK and Ireland, The Traitors remains a straightforward watch: BBC One at 8pm (or 8:30pm for the finale). The BBC iPlayer catch-up service ensures you never miss an episode. If you’re also curious about other BBC One schedules, check our guide to Match of the Day airtimes or browse our top Netflix picks.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org

For the exact airtime and episode details, check The Traitors season 4 finale schedule for the full breakdown.

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Frequently asked questions

Is The Traitors on every night?

No – during season 4, episodes aired on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays only. The first week had a special Saturday episode as well.

How many episodes are in season 4 of The Traitors?

Season 4 contained 12 episodes.

When does the next season of The Traitors start?

BBC has not announced a date for season 5. Historically, new seasons arrive about a year after the previous finale.

Can I watch The Traitors on demand after it airs?

Yes, every episode is available on BBC iPlayer immediately after its BBC One broadcast.

What is the age rating for The Traitors?

The show is rated 12 on BBC iPlayer for moderate threat, psychological pressure, and some language.

Who hosts The Traitors?

The show is hosted by Claudia Winkleman, who also serves as an executive producer.

For Irish viewers, the choice is clear: stick with the UK version on BBC One and iPlayer, or invest in a VPN and Peacock subscription for the US edition – but don’t expect the same schedule or cast. The BBC’s commitment to iPlayer catch-up means you never have to worry about missing an episode, even if the live airtime catches you off guard.