ITV Schedule Shake-up: Coronation Street and Emmerdale Dropped Tonight
ITV has announced a significant adjustment to its programming schedule, resulting in the temporary removal of popular soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, from its lineup. This change occurs only weeks after the debut of the network’s “soap power hour” initiative intended to minimize scheduling conflicts.
ITV Schedule Shake-up: Missing Coronation Street and Emmerdale
Both shows had their weekly run time reduced by thirty minutes last month, positioning them to air nightly from 8 PM. This scheduling format followed a much-anticipated crossover event known as “Corriedale,” merging the two iconic storylines for one special night. However, just a week into this new broadcasting arrangement, ITV has made alterations to the schedule yet again.
Replacement Programming
On February 3, there will be no airings of Coronation Street or Emmerdale. Instead, viewers can look forward to live coverage of the EFL Cup, featuring a semi-final match between Arsenal and Chelsea. The match is set to kick off at 8 PM, with pre-match analysis hosted by Mark Pougatch, starting at 7:30 PM.
Future Plans for the Shows
For fans concerned about the absence of their favorite soaps, there is good news. Coronation Street and Emmerdale are scheduled to return to their usual times on Wednesday night. However, further interruptions may occur on Thursday, when ITV broadcasts the Six Nations match between France and Ireland.
Industry Insights
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, commented on the recent scheduling changes. He emphasized that the new broadcasting pattern is designed with viewer preferences in mind, offering flexibility through platforms like ITVX. The goal is to deliver the right amount of content to fit the audience’s viewing patterns amid increasing competition for viewers’ attention.
Actor’s Perspective
During a recent red-carpet event promoting the Corriedale crossover, Emmerdale actor Chris Bisson expressed enthusiasm for the new schedule. He noted that fans have eagerly anticipated the merging of the two shows, alleviating prior confusion about airing times. “Now, we all know the shows are on from 8 PM to 9 PM every weekday,” Bisson said.
Conclusion
Fans are encouraged to stay informed regarding ITV’s scheduling updates, as these changes could affect viewing plans in the coming days. With both Coronation Street and Emmerdale set for their return, viewers can anticipate resuming their nightly soap opera tradition shortly.
