Coronation Street and Emmerdale viewers will continue to face scheduling disruptions, as the chaos triggered by ITV’s new programming strategy persists five months after its introduction. The two flagship soap operas, cornerstones of ITV’s lineup since their debuts, have frequently adjusted their schedules due to live sports coverage. However, the recent wave of episode cuts has infuriated audiences, and the disruptions are expected to extend into 2026, according to The Sun.
Soap Power Hour Under Threat
The scheduling turmoil comes just months after ITV reorganised its soap offerings into a 'soap power hour,' airing both shows back-to-back on weeknights. This change required both series to drop their traditional sixth episode as part of ongoing reductions. Emmerdale now leads at 8:00pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30pm. But with the FIFA World Cup 2026 only weeks away—taking place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States starting in June—both soaps face constant upheaval as ITV prioritises live match coverage.
Viewers Brace for Disruption
Soap fans are reportedly preparing for a bleak summer as the World Cup threatens to wreak havoc on their beloved programmes. A source told The Sun: 'It’s proving quite the headache behind the scenes. Soap fans have already had to get used to the new slots, which came in at the beginning of the year, so with more changes coming there’s a real fear they could lose more viewers. Airing the episodes on a Sunday just does not work and now with the new schedule it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to run before these big World Cup matches start.' Insiders indicate that 'lots of discussions' are ongoing as bosses scramble to minimise the impact.
Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment. In recent months, sporting clashes have already forced episodes off air entirely, while others have been pushed to less popular Sunday evening slots, a move that has frustrated loyal viewers. Earlier this week, both soaps were pulled from their usual schedule, with episodes shifted to a one-hour Sunday broadcast instead.
Digital Viewing on the Rise
ITV previously attempted to ease disruption by releasing episodes early on ITVX, but the strategy reportedly left audiences confused. Despite the scheduling chaos, the broadcaster claims that the changes have increased digital viewing. Streaming figures for the soaps are up 48 per cent year-on-year, with both Coronation Street and Emmerdale recording their highest ever monthly figures. The shows pulled in a combined 65 million streams in January 2026, 10 million more than any previous record, with Coronation Street reaching an audience of 5.9 million across TV and streaming.
Previous Cancellations
Earlier this year, Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans were in uproar as the popular shows were cancelled again by ITV. The 'soap power hour' was once again scrapped on April 14 to make way for sporting events on the channel. This time it was the Women's European Qualifier match, which saw England's Lionesses go head-to-head with Spain. Emmerdale typically airs on ITV from Monday to Friday at 8pm while Coronation Street typically airs at 8:30pm. However, it was good news for fans of EastEnders, as the soap still aired at its usual time of 7:30pm on BBC1.
