Why is Home and Away not on today? Here is when you can get your next Summer Bay fix

Home and Away

Home and Away fans have got a bit of a wait for their next Summer Bay fix...

Home and Away fans might notice something is missing from the Channel 5 scheduling today as the Australian soap is reduced to just two episodes a week in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak.

Fans of the Summer Bay drama will now have to wait until Friday to find out what happens in the latest storylines.

Home and Away, Marilyn Chambers

Marilyn made the Parata family an unexpected offer on Monday when she invited them to live with her and John (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

In an official statement from Channel 5 a spokesperson announced: "As a result of Covid-19, we have taken the decision to reduce the number of episodes for Neighbours and Home and Away from five to two per week for both soaps so that our viewers can continue to enjoy them for as long as possible.

"Both programmes will air on Monday and Fridays, effective from Monday 30th March."

All other soaps have made amendments to their scheduling for the same reason.

Monday's drama saw new family The Paratas' spending their first night sleeping in their car after being thrown out of their home for not paying the rent.

Home and Away, Nikau Parata, Ari Parata

John isn't happy about having new houseguests (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

Marilyn decided the best way to repay Ari for helping her through the hospital siege trauma was to invite him and his family to live with her and John - but of course John didn't exactly welcome them with open arms.

Also on Monday Mackenzie bit the bullet and tried online dating again, but it all turned sour when her ex, Jason, turned up as her blind date and started blackmailing her for cash.

But if you can't wait to find out what happens next in Summer Bay, here are some teasers to keep you going until the end of the week...

Home and Away, Mackenzie Booth

Mackenzie finds herself caught up in more drama on Friday (Picture: Channel 5)

Marilyn and John continue to clash over the Paratas moving in, and eventually Ari manages to persuade Roo to let him stay in a van and he will pay her once he has got a job.

Eventually John agrees to let Gemma and Nikau to stay at their house, but he warns them there is a time limit and gives them two weeks to find alternative living arrangements.

Also, Mackenzie is mortified when Dean gets her ex Colby involved in driving Jason out of town.

Home and Away, Jason

Mackenzie is being blackmailed by her ex-boyfriend, Jason (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

But that's not all... Mackenzie is also embarrassed as this proves that she was attempting to date again for the first time since she and Colby split.

However, while things might be well and truly over between Mackenzie and Colby, Dean has got a proposition for his best friend. What will Colby say when he reveals a shock request?

Home and Away will temporarily air a reduced schedule of two episodes a week. Watch on Mondays and Fridays at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5.

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.