Viewers of ITV's popular soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are facing disruptions to their regular viewing schedules this week because of the World Cup Qualifier between England and Albania. The clash, which takes place Friday evening, has forced ITV to reschedule important episodes, leaving fans puzzled and seeking clarity about when their favorite shows will air.
Typically, Coronation Street airs at 8 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, but this week sees significant shifts. The show will air its episodes on Monday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 19, at the normal time, but the Friday episode has been moved to Tuesday, March 18, at 9 PM, immediately after The Martin Lewis Money Show. This adjustment is necessary because the football match is set to run from 7 PM to 10 PM, with kick-off at 7:45 PM. This means both Coronation Street and Emmerdale will not be shown at all on Friday.
"Coronation Street has been booted from its usual Friday spot due to the World Cup Qualifier, leaving viewers unsure when the programme will return to screens," reported ITV. On Tuesday’s episode, viewers can expect significant story developments as James offers to provide a home for Dee-Dee's baby, and Carla and Lisa are pursuing Mandy. Meanwhile, Brody gives Sean an ultimatum, and Brian learns of Julie's serious diagnosis. Tracy is also seen finding Rob lurking nearby, and Evelyn contemplates prioritizing her studies to care for Cassie.
The changes don’t end with Coronation Street. Emmerdale will also be impacted, though its schedule remains mostly unchanged from Monday to Thursday with episodes airing at 7:30 PM. Yet, due to the football match, the Friday episode will not air, as the network anticipates high viewership for the game.
Looking forward, the Wednesday, March 19, episode of Coronation Street will now showcase different plots originally intended for the Friday slot. Viewers can expect to see Tracy agreeing to help the unwell Rob escape, Dee-Dee arranging to meet prospective adopters, and Dylan pleading with Sean not to report Brody. Meanwhile, tensions arise as Debbie refuses to compensate Mick for his work, and Eileen struggles to handle discussions surrounding Julie's funeral plans.
Despite the scheduling chaos, fans can catch up on episodes via the ITVX streaming service, where episodes become available at 7 AM before airing on television later. This allows those who miss the shifted airtimes to enjoy the content on their own schedule, providing some consolation amid the disarray.
With Coronation Street's and Emmerdale's episodes reshuffled due to the sporting event, it remains to be seen how viewers will adjust to these changes. For the time being, fans can look forward to the storyline advancements and enjoy the continued excitement of both series, albeit at unusual times.
So whether you're planning on tuning in or streaming later, make sure to keep tabs on ITV's schedule this week. The football match may take center stage, but there's plenty of drama anticipated on the soaps, making it an eventful week for fans. The unpredictability of live sports has undoubtedly altered the television lineup, but it ensures viewers are treated to both thrilling football action and gripping soap opera narratives.
