EMMER-WAIL ITV in soap shake-up as Coronation Street and Emmerdale are CANCELLED tonight
BRITISH soap staples Coronation Street and Emmerdale have fallen victim to ITV’s scheduling reshuffle tonight.
The two long time shows have had their Tuesday night episode cancelled for this week to make room for the football.
Last Monday, the broadcaster launched a new soap “power hour” which saw Emmerdale air at 8:00pm for half an hour with a 30 minute Corrie episode on afterwards.
The was set to be scheduled throughout the week Monday to Friday.
But now the new timetable has been disrupted already as its been replaced by a live sports broadcast – leaving fans are less than impressed.
Adding fuel to the fire, tonight’s soap episodes will not be available for early viewing on the ITVX app.
Read more on Emmerdale
The network will be broadcasting the EFL Cup live as Newcastle United clash with Manchester City from 7:30pm until 10:25pm this evening.
One soap fan wrote: “Wow I’m bloody gutted can’t believe they’ve yet again taken another programme off for the stinking football.”
Another said: “There’s plenty of other channels that could air football!”
A third raging viewer said: “I was fuming. Not everyone wants to watch sport. Put it on a dedicated channel.”
ITV sometimes makes changes to its regular programming and this is the reason why.
It’s reported football tends to bring in higher viewing figures for broadcasters as well as allowing them to rake in larger advertising profits than soaps.
Devastated Lorraine Kelly pays tribute to dad who died after ‘ice fall tragedy’ in Scots town
The much-loved dramas will return to their normal 8:00pm till 9:00pm slot on Wednesday January 14.
Kevin Lygo, ITV‘s director of television, previously spoke about the new soaps schedule, explaining: “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.”
Kevin added: “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.”
