Coronation Street and Emmerdale undergo major changes as ITV confirms new soaps schedule

As a devoted movie-goer, I’m excited about the new standardized runtime policy that’s coming into play. This change will put an end to the extended episodes that Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans have been accustomed to. What’s even more intriguing is that this adjustment will allow both shows to share a joint “power hour” during their ITV1 broadcast, making for a more compact and engaging viewing experience.

In 2026, starting from 8 PM every weekday, Emmerdale and Coronation Street will be broadcast one after the other without any overlap, up until 9 PM. This means that Emmerdale won’t conflict with EastEnders on BBC One anymore.

According to ITV executive Kevin Lygo, in an era filled with intense competition for viewers’ interest and ever-evolving viewing patterns, we think the number of episodes we’re releasing strikes the perfect balance for fans to follow along with our shows, accommodating their busy schedules.

It appears from research findings that soap opera viewers are growingly attracted to these shows due to their fast-paced narrative style.

30-minute episodes tailored for streaming platforms allow more chances to match viewers’ anticipation regarding the flow of the narrative, climax, and conclusion.

Lygo went on to explain, “The fresh format we’ve introduced is deeply ingrained in the essence of soap operas… It establishes a reliable ‘soap power hour,’ which can be conveniently located within the regular TV schedule for the most popular British soaps.

Additionally, the head of media and entertainment for the broadcaster expressed concern that decreasing the total episodes of Emmerdale and Coronation Street might affect the employees working on those productions.

He clarified: “The new commissioning schedule will reduce soap programming from six hours to five per week. We acknowledge that this change may affect the members of our soap production team.

As a dedicated cinephile, I stand with my fellow team members at ITV Studios during this transition. I am committed to collaborating with them, exploring ways to lessen the effects of these changes on our colleagues, ensuring the heart and soul of our studio continues to thrive.

Lygo stated, “We’re making these alterations because we strongly feel it will ensure the sustained prosperity of these significant initiatives over the long haul.

Additionally, they make space within the total program budget for investing in initiatives that could expand ITV’s audience in a highly competitive market.