ITV Confirms British Soap Awards Will Not Return in 2026
In a significant announcement, ITV has officially confirmed that the British Soap Awards will not be returning for the year 2026. This decision marks the second time the ceremony has been axed, following a previous cancellation in 2024. The awards, which celebrate the vibrant world of British soap operas, have been hosted by Jane McDonald since Philip Schofield departed the broadcasting channel.
History of Cancellations and Previous Success
The British Soap Awards did not air in 2024, but at that time, ITV assured fans that the show would make a comeback in 2025. A statement from the network highlighted the program's success in 2023, where it achieved consolidated viewership figures of 2.9 million, effectively doubling its audience year on year. "The show was fantastically received in 2023, achieving consolidated figures of 2.9 million and doubling its audience year on year, so we look forward to the show's return," the statement read. However, this optimism has now been dashed with the latest cancellation.
Impact on Soap Opera Fans and ITV's Statement
This news is disappointing for enthusiasts of popular soaps such as Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, and EastEnders. A spokesperson for ITV confirmed to Metro that the awards are taking a break for another year, stating, "The British Soap Awards is taking a break and won't be on air in 2026." Last year, EastEnders was crowned Best Soap, following months of dramatic storylines that included celebrations for its 40th anniversary, multiple character returns, and numerous plot twists.
Recent Successes in Soap Opera Streaming
The start of 2026 has been particularly notable for Coronation Street and Emmerdale, with residents from both shows featured in a crossover episode titled Corriedale. This special program became ITV's biggest broadcast in January, attracting a total audience of 5.9 million across television and streaming platforms. Additionally, ITV recently shared impressive statistics, revealing that January 2026 was the broadcasting channel's "biggest ever month for streaming." Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, attributed this milestone to key programs, noting, "The combination of a brilliant drama offering, two of our biggest brands – Coronation Street and Emmerdale, alongside our most popular show for 16-34s, Love Island, have come together to deliver ITVX its biggest ever month."
Streaming Growth and New Scheduling Initiatives
Both Coronation Street and Emmerdale experienced significant increases in their streaming viewership, with streams up by 48% year on year. Following the Corriedale crossover, these soaps achieved their highest monthly streaming figures on record. Moreover, January 2026 saw the introduction of the soap power hour on ITV, where the shows now air 30-minute episodes throughout the week in the evening and are available on ITVX at 7 am. This scheduling change aims to enhance viewer accessibility and engagement.
Despite the cancellation of the British Soap Awards, ITV remains committed to delivering exciting content in 2026, with a packed lineup of new programs and continued success in streaming metrics. Fans of British soaps will have to wait for future updates on whether the awards ceremony will return in subsequent years.
