The BBC has announced that hit topical comedy show Russell Howard's Good News will move to BBC Two.

The show, which has run for over 70 episodes on BBC Three since it launched in 2009, sees Russell Howard comment on the week's news with a mix of stand-up, sketches, video clips and special guests.

The programme has attracted critical acclaim and huge ratings for BBC Three, with most episodes appearing in the iPlayer Top 10. Statistics from the network reveal it was the best performing entertainment series on BBC Three last year.

The BBC confirmed: "After eight hugely successful series on BBC Three, Russell Howard's Good News is moving to BBC Two."

The move comes as the corporation prepares to make BBC Three an online-only brand. By shifting Russell Howard's Good News to the more high-profile sibling station ahead of the proposed change, the BBC looks set to grow the ratings for the programme further and allow it to retain a prime-time TV broadcast slot.

Commissioner Mark Linsey comments: "Five years ago, BBC Three spotted Russell's great talent, commissioned this brilliantly funny show, nurtured and cherished it and is now passing it on to BBC Two as a fully fledged hit."

New BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw adds: "It is brilliant news that the wonderfully funny Russell Howard is coming to BBC Two and I very much look forward to welcoming his lively take on modern life to the channel."

Series 9 of Russell Howard's Good News will air on BBC Two later in the year. By the time the new series goes out, Howard will have had over a year break from the Good News format, with the last series having aired between April and July 2013. He previously had presented two series of the format each year.

Russell Howard says: "I'm really looking forward to the new series on BBC Two. I can't wait to get started."

In the below video from Series 8, the comedian discusses a 'dramatic' news story from a local newspaper in Nottingham: