Friday night is going to feel a little different for soap fans, as Coronation Street and Emmerdale disappear from their usual slots. But this is not a random change. There is a clear reason behind it, and ITV has already made sure viewers will not miss out on the drama that has been building all week.
ITV Pulls Friday Episodes As Major Schedule Change Happens
ITV has made a noticeable change to its Friday night schedule, and both Coronation Street and Emmerdale are affected. Fans usually tune in every weeknight between 8pm and 9pm, with each soap airing for 30 minutes. However, on Friday, March 27, that routine is taking a break.
ITV1 has removed both soaps from the lineup to make space for live football coverage, so neither show will air at all that evening.
Instead, the channel will broadcast the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium. The coverage begins at 7pm, and the kick-off will happen at 7:45pm, which means the soaps cannot fit into their usual time slots.
This match is part of England’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Uruguay has been a difficult opponent in the past and England has won only one of their last six matches against them.
Rescheduled Episodes Disappoint Viewers
ITV has made a simple adjustment to ensure fans do not miss any episodes. Both soaps will still air five episodes this week, but one of them has been moved to a different day.
On Sunday, March 29, Emmerdale will air at 7pm, followed by Coronation Street at 7:30pm on ITV1. So while viewers lose their usual Friday episode, they will still get the full week’s content.
In Coronation Street, the tension around Mal Roper continues to build. Whereas, at the same time in Emmerdale, Kim Tate has caused a stir with a major decision about her future. The football match may have pushed the soaps out of their usual slots, but ITV has made sure the storyline flow remains unchanged.
Fans may need to adjust their viewing plans for a day, but they will not miss out on any of the action. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.