ITV Soaps Face Another Schedule Shake-Up Due to Sports Coverage
In a move that may frustrate dedicated viewers, ITV has announced another disruption to its popular soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. The broadcasting channel will pull both shows from their regular slots on Friday, March 27, 2026, to air the England vs Uruguay football match at Wembley Stadium instead. This marks the latest in a series of interruptions caused by sports programming, affecting the soaps' recently launched power hour format.
When Will the Soaps Return to Normal Schedules?
Normal service for Coronation Street and Emmerdale is set to resume on Monday, March 30. For fans unable to catch the episodes on ITV1 in the evening, they will be available for streaming on ITVX that morning, ensuring viewers don't miss out on the latest dramatic developments.
Current Storylines in Emmerdale and Coronation Street
This week in Emmerdale, key plot points include:
- Paddy Kirk and Dylan Penders deciding to confess to the police about their presence at Ray Walters' death scene.
- Joe Tate's anger over Kim Tate's plan to leave Home Farm to Lydia Dingle.
- Eric Pollard setting a trap to uncover if Kerry Wyatt is secretly seeing Jai Sharma.
Meanwhile, in Coronation Street, the drama centers on:
- The Driscoll family discovering Megan Walsh's sexual abuse of Will Driscoll.
- Kit Green's anxiety as Mal Roper awakens, potentially revealing Kit's attack.
- Theo Silverton taking action due to his jealousy towards Todd Grimshaw.
Broader Impacts on ITV Soap Operations
Beyond schedule changes, ITV is reportedly implementing cost-cutting measures that affect soap stars. Recent reports indicate plans to reduce screentime for some actors in both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, leading to pay cuts of approximately one-sixth for affected cast members. This development has sparked negative reactions, with actors expressing dissatisfaction over the income reduction and fewer guaranteed appearances in their contracts.
The ongoing disruptions highlight the challenges ITV faces in balancing sports broadcasts with its soap opera lineup, prompting calls from fans for a dedicated channel to ensure consistent viewing schedules.
