ITV has delivered a crushing blow to soap opera enthusiasts, announcing that both Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be cancelled for two nights next week. The sudden schedule shake-up, which replaces the beloved dramas with live sports coverage, has left loyal viewers fuming and questioning the broadcaster's priorities.
Sports Fixtures Displace Soap Operas
The disruption comes just weeks after ITV debuted a new 'power hour' scheduling format for its flagship soaps. This revamped arrangement saw Emmerdale air at 8pm for thirty minutes, followed immediately by Coronation Street at 8:30pm for another half-hour slot, creating a consolidated evening viewing block.
However, this carefully crafted schedule will be completely dismantled next week. On Tuesday evening, the Arsenal versus Chelsea EFL Live Cup Match will take precedence, occupying the soaps' usual time slots. Then, on Thursday, ITV will broadcast a Six Nations rugby union clash between France and Ireland instead of the scheduled episodes.
Viewer Backlash Erupts Online
The announcement has provoked a storm of criticism on social media platforms, with fans expressing their profound disappointment and frustration. Many long-time viewers feel increasingly marginalised by what they perceive as the constant prioritisation of sporting events over regular programming.
One disgruntled fan lamented online: 'I remember when football matches would simply cause episodes to be moved to different timeslots, even as recently as last year. Now it appears the new standard is to cancel episodes entirely on sports days. This is becoming unacceptable.'
Another commentator highlighted concerns about diminishing content: 'This is utterly ridiculous. They've already reduced episodes from six to five per week. Now, it seems every other week another episode disappears. If this continues, how many fewer episodes will we actually get in 2026 compared to 2025?'
A third viewer offered a more conspiratorial take: 'This entire new schedule feels like a deliberate ploy to gradually strip away our beloved soap episodes!' Meanwhile, a fourth simply stated: 'This is genuinely painful. There are very few programmes I genuinely enjoy watching, and they keep getting pushed aside.'
Cast Changes Add to Turbulence
The scheduling controversy coincides with significant cast news from the Coronation Street set. Claire Sweeney, who joined the soap in 2023 portraying Cassie Plummer, has confirmed her departure. The character is the biological mother of Tyrone Dobbs, played by Alan Halsall, and was originally believed to be deceased before her dramatic arrival on the cobbles.
The 54-year-old actress is leaving to pursue a dream role, having been cast as the iconic Miss Hannigan in the upcoming UK tour of the classic stage musical Annie. A spokesperson for Coronation Street confirmed the news, stating: 'We wish Claire every success playing Miss Hannigan and congratulate her on being offered a role she has long wanted to play. Cassie will remain on the cobbles until the summer, during which time she will continue to make her presence felt in Weatherfield, leading up to a great exit storyline.'
Reports indicate that Sweeney informed ITV executives of her decision last year after securing the theatrical role. A source explained: 'Claire loves Corrie, but she's always aspired to play Miss Hannigan. Initially, there was hope she could balance both commitments, but the extensive touring schedule made that impossible. She made the difficult decision to leave and gave bosses ample notice, allowing them to craft an exciting and explosive exit storyline for her character.'
When Will Normal Service Resume?
For viewers desperate for a return to routine, ITV has confirmed that the regular soap schedule will be reinstated during the week beginning 9th February. Both Coronation Street and Emmerdale continue to air on ITV1 and are available for streaming on ITVX. However, this latest interruption has undoubtedly strained the patience of a dedicated viewer base who feel their favourite programmes are being consistently undervalued in favour of sporting events.
