BBC One has announced a significant scheduling shake-up for its flagship soap opera Eastenders, as the channel prepares to broadcast crucial Euro 2024 football coverage.
The dramatic episodes originally planned for their regular evening slots will now air at alternative times to accommodate live sports programming, leaving dedicated Walford fans scrambling to adjust their viewing plans.
Football Takes Priority on BBC Schedule
The scheduling conflict arises from BBC One's commitment to broadcast the highly anticipated Euro 2024 match between Slovenia and Serbia on Thursday afternoon. This crucial group stage fixture has forced programme controllers to reshuffle the entire evening's lineup.
Instead of its usual 7:30 PM slot, Thursday's episode of Eastenders will now air at 6:00 PM on BBC One – a full ninety minutes earlier than normal. This change ensures football fans won't miss a moment of the action while soap enthusiasts can still catch their daily dose of drama.
How to Catch Up on Missed Episodes
For viewers who might miss the rescheduled timing, the BBC has confirmed that all episodes will be available shortly after broadcast on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. This allows fans to watch at their convenience without missing crucial plot developments.
The scheduling change affects only the Thursday episode this week, with normal service expected to resume following the conclusion of the football tournament. However, further adjustments might be necessary depending on how far the England team progresses in the competition.
Fan Reaction and Industry Impact
Soap opera schedulings have frequently been disrupted by major sporting events throughout British broadcasting history. The ongoing popularity of both football and continuing dramas like Eastenders creates an annual challenge for programme planners during tournament seasons.
Fans are advised to check the BBC One schedule regularly throughout Euro 2024, as further adjustments may be announced depending on match timings and the progress of home nations in the competition.
