Fans of the long-running British soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale will need to adjust their viewing schedules as both programmes have been temporarily removed from their usual weekday evening slots on ITV. The disruption is due to live sports coverage, specifically a pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Leeds United.
ITV Schedule Shake-up for Live Sports
Typically, both Coronation Street and Emmerdale occupy ITV’s “power hour” during weekday evenings, airing at 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM respectively. This consistent scheduling was introduced to provide viewers with reliability and to better manage the annual impact of major sporting events, particularly football. However, this strategy has not entirely prevented disruptions, with both serial dramas frequently being rescheduled to accommodate other programming.
On Wednesday, August 12th, the planned broadcast of the soaps was preempted by live coverage of the Manchester United vs. Leeds United pre-season friendly. The match, held at Croke Park in Dublin, was scheduled to begin with analysis from former players John O’Shea and Michael Brown, with kick-off at 7:30 PM. The broadcast commenced at 7:00 PM, leading to the postponement of the evening’s scheduled soap episodes.
Resumption of Regular Broadcasts and Episode Previews
Viewers eager to catch up on the latest storylines from Weatherfield and the Dales will be pleased to know the hiatus is brief. Emmerdale is set to resume its regular broadcast on Thursday, August 13th, at 8:00 PM. Coronation Street will follow shortly after, airing at 8:30 PM on the same evening.
Emmerdale: What to Expect
In the upcoming Emmerdale episode, viewers will see Kev Barton grappling with a mix of excitement and apprehension as he prepares to teach his son, Lewis, how to ride a bicycle. Despite his outward enthusiasm, Kev harbours private fears about the milestone. Meanwhile, Billy Fletcher remains resolute in his plan to leave the village with his ex-wife, Dawn. Their scheme aims to depart before Dawn’s impending wedding to the wealthy Joe Tate.
Coronation Street: What to Expect
On the cobbles of Coronation Street, Sally Metcalfe finds herself in an awkward situation. Her husband, Tim, has arranged for his troubled cousin, Richie Parkinson’s daughter Lucy, to come and live with them, forcing Sally to put on a brave face. Elsewhere, Bethany Platt leaves her younger brother, Harry, at the Little Big Shotz drama club while she goes on a date. However, her plans are disrupted when Kit Green announces that Harry has been signed up for the entire week, much to Harry’s dismay. In another storyline, Toyah Battersby issues a warning to her sister, Leanne, expressing distrust towards Idris Nazir. Adding to the drama, Hope Dobbs makes a concerning discovery within her grandfather Ross Wilkes’s wallet.
Viewing Options and Streaming
Traditionally, Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8:00 PM, and Coronation Street airs at 8:30 PM on ITV1. For viewers who prefer to watch at their convenience, both serial dramas are available to stream from 7:00 AM on the day of broadcast via the ITVX platform. This allows fans to catch up on episodes at any time, ensuring they don’t miss out on crucial plot developments.
Conclusion
While schedule changes can be inconvenient for dedicated viewers, the temporary shift in broadcast times for Coronation Street and Emmerdale highlights the network’s commitment to providing comprehensive live sports coverage. With the soaps returning to their regular slots on August 13th and episodes available for streaming on ITVX, fans can soon resume their engagement with the ongoing narratives of Weatherfield and the Dales.
