Fans of ITV’s long-running soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, have been left frustrated this week as a major scheduling shake-up pulled both shows from their regular Friday night slots. The disruption, which took place on Friday, March 27, 2026, was caused by ITV’s decision to broadcast live coverage of England’s international friendly football match against Uruguay at Wembley Stadium—a fixture that forms part of the nation’s preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Ordinarily, viewers can rely on a steady routine: Emmerdale airs at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30pm, each delivering a 30-minute dose of drama as part of ITV’s popular “soap power hour.” But this Friday, both soaps were bumped off-air to make way for football, with coverage starting at 7pm and the match itself kicking off at 7:45pm, according to Radio Times and Daily Star. The change left devoted soap fans “fuming,” as many took to social media to vent their frustration. One viewer posted, “What again!! This is happening way too often,” while another asked, “Why can’t rugby go on ITV3?” and a third suggested, “Exactly! Or they could at least still put the Corrie episode on ITVX.”
This isn’t the first time in March that fans have had to adjust their viewing habits. Earlier in the month, on March 6, both soaps were also cancelled in favor of sports coverage, prompting a direct plea to ITV bosses from disappointed viewers. The frequency of such disruptions has led to mounting calls for ITV to find alternative channels or streaming solutions during live sports events, but so far, the network has stuck to its guns.
To soften the blow, ITV has arranged for additional episodes of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street to air on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Emmerdale will broadcast at 7pm, followed by Coronation Street at 7:30pm, both on ITV1. This means fans will still receive five episodes of each soap this week, just not at the customary times. For those who prefer on-demand viewing, the episodes will be available on ITVX and YouTube from the morning, as usual, according to Digital Spy.
The disruptions aren’t just a one-off, either. ITV has confirmed that both soaps will get extra episodes again on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, and these will also air earlier than usual. The week commencing Easter Monday (April 6) is expected to see the soaps return to their normal schedules. This double dose of Sunday episodes marks the first time since January that both Emmerdale and Coronation Street will have aired a full three hours’ worth of drama within a single week.
ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, addressed the ongoing scheduling changes, stating, “Five 30-minute episodes per week is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule. [They] better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, pay-off and resolution.” Lygo emphasized that these changes are “motivated by doing what we believe is best for the continuing success of these important programmes in the long term.”
But what exactly are viewers missing during these disrupted weeks? Over on Coronation Street, the current storyline has gripped fans with the unsettling saga of stalker Mal Roper (played by Tim Treloar). Earlier in the week, Mal experienced a “sudden flashback,” seemingly remembering the identity of his attacker—but, crucially, he hasn’t reported the right man. This twist has left fans eager for the next installment, wondering how the storyline will unravel and whether justice will be served.
Meanwhile, Emmerdale is embroiled in high-stakes family drama. Kim Tate (Claire King) has found herself defending her controversial decision to bequeath the grand manor house, Home Farm, to Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) upon her death. The rest of Kim’s multi-million-pound estate is set to be divided among her grandchildren, including Joe Tate (Ned Porteous). Joe, however, is far from pleased about the prospect of losing his family home, setting the stage for further conflict and intrigue as the storyline develops.
The timing of these plotlines only adds to the frustration for fans, many of whom rely on their nightly soap fix as a comforting routine. Some have suggested that ITV could mitigate the impact of sports coverage by airing the soaps on alternative channels or making them available exclusively online during schedule clashes. As one fan put it on social media, “Why can’t they just put the episode on ITVX?” The network, however, appears committed to its current approach, prioritizing live sports events for its main channel while offering make-up episodes on weekends.
The football match at the heart of this week’s disruption was no small affair. England’s fixture against Uruguay at Wembley Stadium was part of the national team’s preparations for World Cup 2026, and the rivalry is steeped in history. According to Daily Star, England has managed just one win in their last six encounters with Uruguay, including a painful defeat in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup. The match, therefore, was seen as a crucial test for the Three Lions as they fine-tune their squad and tactics ahead of the tournament.
For ITV, balancing the demands of live sports coverage and the expectations of soap fans is a perennial challenge. The broadcaster’s commitment to airing every episode—albeit sometimes at alternative times—reflects both the enduring popularity of its soaps and the realities of an ever-crowded TV schedule. As Lygo noted, “These changes are motivated by doing what we believe is best for the continuing success of these important programmes in the long term.”
Looking ahead, fans can take solace in the fact that, despite the bumps in the road, both Coronation Street and Emmerdale will return to their regular nightly slots after Easter. Until then, Sunday evenings will offer a double helping of drama, giving viewers a chance to catch up on the latest twists and turns from Weatherfield and the Yorkshire Dales. For those who can’t wait, on-demand platforms like ITVX and YouTube remain a reliable alternative, ensuring that no one has to miss out on their favorite soap moments—no matter what’s happening on the pitch.
As the dust settles from this latest schedule shake-up, one thing is clear: whether it’s football or family feuds, ITV’s loyal audience will be watching closely, ready for the next chapter in the ongoing drama—on screen and off.