Emmerdale and Coronation Street fans face disappointment this week as ITV cancels both soaps on Friday (June 5) due to live coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier between Spain and England. The usual 8pm and 8.30pm slots are replaced, with both shows moving to Sunday (June 7) at 8pm to 9pm.
Further disruption continues into next week, with both soaps absent on Tuesday (June 9) because of England and Ukraine's World Cup qualifying match. To compensate, the soaps will air extended hour-long episodes on Friday (June 12) from 8pm to 10pm. Additionally, on Wednesday (June 10), Coronation Street will air an hour earlier at 7.30pm, with Emmerdale following at 7pm.
Viewers have expressed frustration on social media. One fan on a Coronation Street Facebook page fumed: 'Fridays ruined now.' Another added: 'Same old c*** football take the programmes off. Why don't they put it on another channel instead of ITV not fair for people that don't like football, only got 5 channels.' A third commented: 'Because of stupid football put the football on the sport channels.'
Earlier this year, ITV introduced a new 'power hour' soap schedule, with 30-minute episodes of Emmerdale at 8pm followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm, Monday to Friday. Both soaps are also available to stream from 7am on ITVX. Kevin Lygo, ITV's director of television, defended the format, saying it is 'viewer-led' and offers 'pacey storytelling' in a digestible way.
