It is war between soap viewers and football fans as ITV announces schedule changes for Coronation Street and Emmerdale during the World Cup. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, causing major disruption to the soaps' regular air times.
Viewers React to Schedule Changes
Steven Hodgson declared that viewers should have their say after Metro asked readers whether soaps should be moved for sports. Hundreds responded, with opinions sharply divided.
Jacqueline Higginson Davis expressed frustration: 'Fuming, home from work, made a cuppa, quick snack to settle down for the soaps, and it is bloody football. Makes my blood boil!'
Mick Foster defended the football coverage: 'Make a soap channel and you can watch them all in one place. Soaps are on all the time, even Easter and Christmas. Once upon a time they were once a week.' He added, 'Why should I have to pay to watch football? It is not all the time, but when they move soaps to put sport on, you soap freaks moan.'
Passionate Defenses of Soaps
Nina Hutchins countered: 'The soaps actually show serious storylines and bring awareness to real-life issues like abuse, mental health, and baby illnesses. Personally, I think that is a lot more important than stupid football. You would rather watch grown men kicking a bit of leather around a pitch instead.'
Deborah Kirkby tried to mediate: 'No worse than boring tennis,' as the debate raged on.
Suggestions for Compromise
Pauline Clarke demanded: 'Flaming football all the time – stick football on ITV3 or ITV4 and leave ITV1 alone.' Kerry Setchell retorted: 'Football is not on all the time. Soaps are though… 52 weeks a year.'
Lynne McNeill proposed a solution: 'They have four ITV channels, so if they are putting football on ITV1, put the soaps on 2, 3, or 4. It is not rocket science!'
Audrey Lokers Richards argued: 'The soaps are a lifeline and tradition for so many families. Why would they shift a soap for a random football match? Generally nobody cares; if they did, they would sign up for a football channel.'
Lorraine Scaddon agreed: 'There are lots of channels you could put football on. Soaps are lifelines for lots of older people.'
Barbara McQue offered a balanced view: 'I love football, men's and women's, but I would rather watch my soaps. Put the football on later.' Rosa Pace noticed a trend: 'Funny that they are all women complaining about moving the soaps. I do not mind as long as I do not miss my soaps, but football could have been moved to another channel.'
Financial Realities
Faye Marshall pointed out: 'If the sports were not shown, ITV would not have the money to show the soaps. The footy brings in more revenue, keeping the cameras on the cobbles and the dales.'
Kate AnnMarie Mercedes Lola said: 'I have no issue with anyone wanting to watch football. Football should be on a sports channel, not on a channel that takes away soap fans' scheduled programmes.' She theorized that a TV scheduler going through a bad breakup might be behind the changes.
This Week's Schedule
From Wednesday, June 10, to Monday, June 15:
- Coronation Street: Wednesday 7:30pm, Thursday no episode, Friday 9pm, Monday 9pm
- Emmerdale: Wednesday 7pm, Thursday no episode, Friday 8pm, Monday 8pm
Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing clash between soap fans and football enthusiasts.
