ITV announces temporary schedule changes for Coronation Street and Emmerdale

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Coronation Street
(Image credit: ITV)

There are more changes heading for our soap schedules

ITV has announced that it will be running a reduced schedule for both Coronation Street and Emmerdale due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The news comes after BBC bosses announced that they will be closing all continuing drama studios, including the EastEnders set.

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From the end of the month, we will only have three episodes of Coronation Street a week instead of the usual six (Picture: ITV)

As well as EastEnders filming being put on hold for the time being, the BBC has announced that there will be just two episodes being shown a week, rather than the usual four.

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EastEnders will now be airing on BBC One on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 7.30pm.

ITV confirmed yesterday that filming for Coronation Street and Emmerdale is continuing for the time being.

However, to protect the scheduling from any future production breaks that could be enforced by coronavirus, there will be a reduced number of both soaps being shown on ITV from Monday 30th March.

Emmerdale sign logo

ITV is also reducing the number of Emmerdale episodes on each week (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: ITV)

In a statement an ITV spokesperson said: "The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority to all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows.

"Whilst carefully adhering to the latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England, our production teams are continuing to film episodes in Manchester and Leeds.

"With this change of transmission pattern it will ensure we have great new soap episodes coming to air every weekday night until at least the early summer.

Vanessa tells Tracy about her last will and testament in Emmerdale

From the end of the month you can catch the latest drama in the Dales every weeknight at 7pm (Picture: ITV)

"With effect from Monday 30 March Coronation Street and Emmerdale's scheduling pattern will be changing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Emmerdale will air Monday to Friday at 7pm and Coronation Street Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm."

Claire Crick
Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off. 

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.