ITV Cancels British Soap Awards for Second Time, Leaving Fans Furious
Soap enthusiasts across the United Kingdom have expressed widespread disappointment and anger following ITV's decision to axe the British Soap Awards for the second time in three years. The popular ceremony, which celebrates excellence in British soap operas, will not air in 2026, according to an official statement from the broadcasting channel.
History of Cancellations and Fan Backlash
The British Soap Awards, hosted by Jane McDonald since Phillip Schofield's departure from ITV, were previously cancelled in 2024. At that time, ITV assured viewers the show would return in 2025. A spokesperson stated in 2024: '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.'
However, ITV has now confirmed to media outlets that the awards ceremony is taking another break and will not be broadcast in 2026. This decision has sparked significant backlash from dedicated viewers of major soaps including Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, and EastEnders.
Fan Reactions on Social Media Platforms
Following the announcement, fans took to social media to voice their frustration. Many highlighted the timing as particularly poor given recent successes in the soap genre.
Isabelle shared on X: 'Corriedale was a groundbreaking moment in both soap and British television history. The recognition at the awards would've been huge. I am shocked as to why ITV have made this decision to cancel the awards. "Taking a break" is not a good enough answer.'
Laura echoed similar sentiments: 'ITV cancelling the British Soap Awards again when soaps have been the best they've been in ages plus we had Corriedale! This is a huge mistake. ITV you need the BSA's to promote the absolute talent and storylines that the soap world creates!'
Other fans expressed their disappointment more bluntly. Chloe simply stated: 'Absolutely fuming the soap awards have been cancelled this year!' while another user noted: 'no soap awards this year is absolutely ridiculous, corriedale deserves awards and recognition.'
The Corriedale Crossover Success Story
The fan outrage comes amid significant achievements for British soaps, particularly the groundbreaking Corriedale crossover episode that brought together characters from both Coronation Street and Emmerdale. This special event has been described as a historic moment in British television and achieved remarkable viewership numbers.
Corriedale became ITV's biggest programme to air in January 2026, attracting a total audience of 5.9 million viewers across television broadcasts and streaming platforms. Both Coronation Street and Emmerdale experienced substantial increases in their streaming viewership, with streams up 48% year on year following the crossover event.
ITV's Streaming Milestones and Programming Changes
Despite cancelling the awards ceremony, ITV recently celebrated record-breaking streaming numbers. Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, confirmed that January 2026 represented the broadcasting channel's 'biggest ever month for streaming.'
Lygo specifically highlighted the importance of Coronation Street and Emmerdale in achieving this milestone: '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.'
The network has also implemented significant programming changes for its soap operas. Both Coronation Street and Emmerdale now air 30-minute episodes throughout the week during evening slots, with episodes available on ITVX at 7am each morning. This adjustment came after research indicated audiences were more engaged with shorter episodes than with the previous one-hour formats.
Industry Perspectives and Future Considerations
Industry observers have questioned ITV's decision to cancel the awards ceremony given the apparent success and popularity of British soap operas. The lack of a detailed explanation from ITV has left many wondering about the broadcaster's long-term commitment to celebrating soap achievements.
Some commentators have suggested that if ITV is unwilling to revive the British Soap Awards, the network should consider creating an alternative ceremony to recognize talent within the genre. This comes at a time when streaming services like Netflix continue to attract viewers away from traditional television programming.
The British Soap Awards have historically served as an important platform for showcasing the considerable talent behind British soap operas, from actors and writers to directors and production crews. Their absence for the second time in three years leaves a significant gap in the television awards calendar and denies recognition to programs that continue to attract millions of loyal viewers.
