Fans of the ITV soap operas Emmerdale and Coronation Street are expressing their discontent after the broadcaster announced the cancellation of episodes next week. This decision comes as ITV prepares to air two significant sporting events, leaving viewers without their regular shows.
Cancelled Episodes Spark Outrage
Starting next week, both Emmerdale and Coronation Street will not air on scheduled days due to sports coverage. Viewers are frustrated, especially as these soaps have already faced reduced episode counts this year. Initially, the two shows were cut from six episodes a week to five amid budget constraints.
Upcoming Sports Events
- Tuesday: Arsenal vs Chelsea EFL Live
- Thursday: Six Nations match between France and Ireland
This programming change disrupts the recently introduced ‘soap power hour’ format, which was designed to air Emmerdale for 30 minutes starting at 8 PM, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30 PM. Fans are particularly outraged as they were hopeful for a consistent viewing experience with the new schedule.
Viewer Reactions
Fans took to social media to voice their anger. Many reminisced about when episodes were simply rescheduled rather than removed altogether. One viewer remarked, “This is stupid… we seem to lose another episode every other week.” Another said, “I am fed up of soaps being cancelled due to football.”
Since their inception, both shows have navigated through various scheduling formats. Coronation Street debuted in 1960, followed by Emmerdale in 1972, transitioning from daytime to prime-time viewing over the years.
Future Changes to Programming
A statement from ITV confirmed that starting January 2026, the new schedule would become standard, maintaining the five-hour weekly offering for viewers. Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, addressed viewer habits, stating that this adjustment aims to align with changing viewing patterns. He emphasized the importance of keeping episodes engaging and timely while ensuring a competitive edge in the broadcasting market.
Despite the increased access to shows via platforms like ITVX and YouTube, many viewers prefer traditional scheduling. The new changes reflect ITV’s ongoing effort to adapt to viewer preferences while managing resources efficiently.
