C4 brings forward Rick & Morty

Sci-fi hit Rick & Morty

Channel 4 in the UK has brought forward when it will exclusively launch the fourth season of sci-fi hit Rick & Morty in response to fan complaints about the previous date.

C4 announced last week the new episodes would air in the UK in January 2020 as part of its partnership with WarnerMedia-owned Adult Swim.

However, citing “huge demand,” the commercially funded public service broadcaster will now premiere the show’s fourth season on youth-skewing network E4 on November 20, less than two weeks after the US launch.

Ian Katz, director of programmes at C4, said: “When we announced we would be airing Rick & Morty season four on free to air TV in January we thought fans would be delighted.

“Instead they told us – in their droves – that it wasn’t nearly soon enough, so we’ve listened and brought forward the UK premiere to November 20 on E4 and All 4.”

Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the Emmy-winning animated comedy series follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe.

It comes after Channel 4 agreed an extensive deal with WarnerMedia earlier this year for content from its Adult Swim programming block. Season four will air on Adult Swim in the US this month.

Research conducted by pop-culture marketing agency Experience12 at last month’s MCM London Comic Con found Rick & Morty to be the most anticipated upcoming TV show.

Of the 1,008 attendees asked which show they were most looking forward to, 24% named S4 of Rick & Morty. Forthcoming Netflix fantasy series The Witcher (17%) and Disney+ Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian (11%) rounded out the top three.