The first of several disruptions to ITV’s soap scheduling this summer begins today, with no Emmerdale or Coronation Street set to air. Both shows have had their latest episodes pushed back to make way for a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.
The face-off between Spain and England kicks off at 8pm on ITV1, meaning the latest visits to Emmerdale Farm and Weatherfield will have to wait.
With EastEnders and Hollyoaks always absent on Fridays, it’ll be an almost soap-free weeknight in the UK, aside from Home and Away over on 5Star – but when exactly will the postponed installments finally be released?
There’s not too long to wait, as both Emmerdale and Coronation Street will air their next episodes on Sunday, 7 June, at their usual times: 8pm and 8:30pm respectively.
They promise to be key episodes, with Emmerdale for one kicking off an important new issue story for Charity Dingle, in which she experiences horrible sexual violence.
Corrie, meanwhile, will see Todd receiving the worrying news that Summer has been admitted to hospital from prison because she feels she can’t cope with life behind bars.
This marks the first of several scheduling alterations for the two shows over the weeks ahead, with next week especially requiring several changes due to the sport.
While Monday, 8 June will be business as usual, there’ll be no episodes for either soap on Tuesday, 9 June, and the visits on Wednesday, 10 June, will be moved forward an hour to 7pm (Emmerdale) and 7:30pm (Coronation Street).
Thursday, 11 June, will see both shows off-air again, but they’ll each get hour-long specials on Friday, 12 June: Emmerdale from 8pm and Coronation Street from 9pm. There are further hour-long episodes planned for Monday, 16 June and Tuesday, 16 June at the same times, but neither show will air again until they return to their regular slots on Friday, 19 June.
ITVX addressed the changes on social media this week, writing: “There may be a little disruption to your soap schedule over the next few weeks, but don’t worry, we’ll keep you informed on when and where to find us. Remember, you can watch each episode from 7am on ITVX & YouTube!”
