Coronation Street Fans Demand ITV Channel Shift as Football Displaces Soaps
Furious Coronation Street enthusiasts have voiced their outrage after the iconic soap was abruptly pulled from tonight's television schedules to accommodate live football coverage. The beloved programme, along with its counterpart Emmerdale, has been removed from its regular slots, prompting viewers to propose what they deem an obvious solution to the ongoing broadcasting conflict.
Soap Power Hour Disrupted by Sports Programming
The disruption comes shortly after ITV implemented a new scheduling format in January 2026, marketed as the soap power hour. This arrangement saw Emmerdale airing at 8pm each weeknight, followed immediately by Coronation Street at 8:30pm. However, this week's schedule has been completely overhauled to make way for sporting events.
On Tuesday evening, the Arsenal versus Chelsea EFL Live match will occupy the prime-time slot, while Thursday's programming will be dedicated to the Six Nations clash between France and Ireland. This marks the second significant reduction for soap viewers this year, following January's decision to cut both programmes from six to five weekly episodes amid broadcaster budget constraints.
Viewers Propose Simple Broadcasting Alternative
Disgruntled fans have flooded social media platforms with their frustration, suggesting that ITV should simply relocate the football coverage to alternative channels rather than cancelling soap episodes entirely. One Reddit user expressed the collective sentiment, questioning why the broadcaster doesn't implement a double bill on the preceding evening or utilise other available channels.
The fan wrote: "We're losing more and more Corrie thanks to the football. Why can't they just put a double bill on the night before? That seems to be the most obvious solution to me." This perspective was echoed across multiple platforms, with another viewer suggesting: "Never understand why they don't put the football on ITV4!"
Streaming Era Schedule Changes Baffle Viewers
Many fans have expressed confusion about why schedule disruptions persist in the modern streaming era. One social media user pointed out the apparent simplicity of the solution, stating: "In the age of streaming and multiple channels I don't understand why they mess with the schedule at all. Just shift it to ITV2!"
Another viewer took to X to question the broadcaster's decision-making process: "Does anyone know why #ITV always takes off #Corrie and #Emmerdale constantly for a football match? Everyone gets ITV2, 3 and 4. Why can't one of them be used for football or to screen the soaps?"
Historical Context and Broadcaster Rationale
Coronation Street, which first aired in 1960, and Emmerdale, which followed twelve years later, have experienced numerous scheduling adjustments throughout their histories. The current changes were announced by ITV last year, with Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo explaining that the new pattern was viewer-led and designed to accommodate changing viewing habits.
Lygo stated: "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." He emphasised that while streaming through ITVX continues to grow, a significant portion of the soap audience still prefers linear television viewing.
Growing Frustration Among Dedicated Viewers
The recent schedule changes have sparked considerable anger among the soaps' loyal fanbase. One viewer lamented the cumulative effect of the reductions: "This is stupid. So they already cut all the extra episodes going from 6 to 5 per week. Now every other week it seems they lose another episode. So in 2026 how many fewer episodes will there really be compared to 2025."
Another fan expressed their frustration with the perceived prioritisation of sports over drama: "I am fed up of soaps being cancelled due to football. Can't they put the games on a dedicated 'free' channel?" This sentiment was widely shared across social media platforms, with many viewers calling for a more balanced approach to scheduling that accommodates both sports enthusiasts and soap devotees.
Despite the availability of early streaming options through ITVX and YouTube, where episodes become available from 7am on broadcast days, many traditional viewers continue to value the scheduled television experience. The current controversy highlights the ongoing challenge broadcasters face in balancing diverse audience preferences while managing budget constraints and programming commitments.
