The ITV soap has been taken off the schedule
Emmerdale will not air on ITV1 tonight(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Emmerdale will not air at its usual time on ITV1 tonight due to coverage of the European qualifier, England vs Serbia. The broadcast starts at 7pm for a 7.45pm kick-off, meaning that Emmerdale has been taken off the schedule. Emmerdale fans can normally tune into the drama every weeknight at 7.30pm, with an additional hour-long episode on Thursdays.
But viewers will have to wait until tomorrow for the drama to continue in the Dales as England and Serbia will take centre stage on ITV1 tonight. Mark Pougatch presents the action from Wembley Stadium for the FIFA World Cup Group K qualifier.
But it isn’t the first time the Yorkshire-based soap has faced disruption due to sports coverage. Last month Emmerdale had to take a back seat due to ITV’s coverage of England vs Wales.
On Wednesday, viewers learned more about Robert’s time in prison. Robert explained his complicated relationship with Kev (Chris Coghill) and how his friendship developed into something more.
He also described how his wedding to Kev made him accept prison life instead of pursuing an appeal, until he got an unexpected visitor.
In another special standalone episode, Robert Sugden opened up about his past life in prison(Image: ITV)
The episode was part of the soap’s plan to air three standalone episodes this month. But fans will have to wait until Friday to get their next share of the drama in the fictional Yorkshire village.
The episode description reads: “Kev is sent spiralling, Paddy is troubled and Eve thinks she has spotted her grandfather.”
As well as the current disruption, fans can expect more changes to their daily schedule after ITV recently confirmed a full revamp to its usual broadcasting routine next year.
Coronation Street usually airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour-long broadcast from 8pm until 9pm, with Emmerdale airing every night. But next year, 30-minute episodes of both soaps will air each night in a new schedule.
ITV has branded the change a soaps power hour, as a 30-minute episode of Emmerdale will be followed by a 30-minute episode of Corrie each weeknight. Kevin Lygo said: “The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led.
“We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them in the most digestible way.
“In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule to keep up to date with the shows.
“Research insights also show us that soap viewers are increasingly looking to the soaps for their pacey storytelling. Streaming-friendly, 30-minute episodes better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, payoff and resolution.
“While viewing is growing on ITVX, we know a significant proportion of our soaps’ audience still watch us via the schedule. This new pattern is in the DNA of the soap genre – nobody else does 30-minute drama this successfully.
“It creates a soap power hour that’s consistent, and easy to find in the linear schedule, for the UK’s biggest soaps.”
Emmerdale returns on Friday at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
