Emmerdale stars are reportedly concerned that the ITV soap could be axed for good when Sky takes over ITV, according to sources who spoke to The Sun. ITV agreed to sell its media and entertainment business to Sky for around £1.6 billion earlier this month. The deal includes the ITVX platform and ITV’s free-to-air channels, with the aim of creating a “major competitor” to streaming giants like Netflix and Prime Video. However, it does not include the sale of ITV’s production arm, ITV Studios, which produces Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Fears Mount Behind the Scenes
Despite the exclusion of ITV Studios from the sale, fears are mounting behind the scenes. One source claimed: “Why would they pay huge amounts for two soaps that pretty much do the same thing? Coronation Street is the world’s longest running soap and it’s an institution, so it will never go anywhere. It is also shown in various countries worldwide. But for those working on Emmerdale there are real fears that the show hasn’t got a long term future anymore.”
Another source added that there “is a lot of talk across both soaps” about Emmerdale’s future, branding it “incredibly vulnerable.”
Sky Spokesperson Reassures
However, a Sky spokesperson said there are no immediate plans to change anything about the soaps, stating: “ITV fan favourites are here to stay. We’ve agreed a long-term content partnership with ITV Studios to ensure viewers continue to enjoy the shows they know and love, including Emmerdale and Coronation Street, for years to come. Both ITV and Sky have a long-standing history of investing in British programming, and that commitment will continue.”
ITV declined to comment on the speculation.
