ITV has dropped both Coronation Street and Emmerdale from the schedules tonight, in yet another deviation from the broadcaster’s new “soap power hour”.
The serial dramas reduced their weekly output by half an hour in January, so that they could air each weeknight from 8pm. This followed a highly-anticipated crossover episode – dubbed Corriedale – which saw the two fictional worlds combine for one night only.
Speaking after the new schedule on ITV1 was announced, Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, said: “The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led. We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX, and we want to present their favourite soap to them in the most digestible way.
“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, to keep up to date with the shows.”
Don’t worry guys, you’re back on Monday! ITV
At the time, Emmerdale star Chris Bisson told Leeds Live: “[There’ll be] no more moaning that they are shifting Corrie around because of the football and nobody knows when it is on – all that kind of stuff. We all know where we are up to now – 8pm to 9pm everyday of the week.”
Unfortunately, Bisson has been proved wrong – and not for the first time. Just one week into the new broadcast pattern, both Corrie and Emmerdale were taken off our screens.
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Tonight’s usual instalments have been shunted to Monday, to accommodate coverage of the Six Nations Live, which begins at 7.20pm after a shorter ITV National News.
Jill Douglas presents from the opening match in the fourth round of fixtures, held at the Aviva Stadium, with Ireland facing Wales from 8.10pm.
The soaps will face similar disruption on Friday, March 14 (next week), once again being moved for the Six Nations.
Emmerdale returns Monday at 8pm on ITV1. Coronation Street follows at 8.30pm. Stream on ITVX.
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