ITV has confirmed that Emmerdale and Coronation Street will be pulled from their usual slots on Friday, August 7, to make way for live EFL Carabao Cup coverage between Middlesbrough and Wrexham. The change means neither soap will air in its regular evening slot on ITV1 that day.
The disruption comes after ITV unveiled its new "power hour" soap schedule earlier this year. From Monday to Friday, 30-minute episodes of Emmerdale air at 8pm, followed by 30-minute episodes of Coronation Street at 8.30pm. Both shows are also available to stream from 7am on ITVX.
According to the Daily Star, the soaps will return on Sunday, August 9, with Coronation Street airing an hour earlier than usual at 7.30pm and Emmerdale following at 7.00pm.
Viewers react to another schedule shake-up
Fans have voiced their frustration on Facebook. One viewer wrote: "Thought things would go back to normal after the World Cup ended? Unfortunately there's no Emmerdale or Coronation Street this Friday as the Carabao Cup airs on ITV1." Another added: "Oh for god's sake it's a joke."
A third commented: "That didn't last long being football free did it." Another declared: "Football should have its own channel ! ! ! !" while a fifth posted: "Oh my goodness not again, I thought it was all over."
ITV defends the new soap format
Speaking previously about the "power hour" of soaps, Kevin Lygo, ITV's director of television, said: "The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led. We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them in the most digestible way."
"In a world where there is so much competition for viewers' time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule to keep up to date with the shows."
"Research insights also show us that soap viewers are increasingly looking to the soaps for their pacey storytelling. Streaming-friendly, 30-minute episodes better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, payoff and resolution."
