Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans are heading into an interesting start to 2026, with some big changes changing the usual evening routine. ITV’s soaps are moving into a brand-new schedule, but just as viewers get used to it, an unexpected TV series steps into the same timeslot, making the first week of the new year far more competitive than anyone expected.
A Fresh Start for ITV’s Biggest Soaps
Earlier this year, ITV revealed plans to give its two biggest soaps a refresh by introducing a new “power hour” format. The idea was simple: to make the episodes shorter, sharper, and easier for viewers to keep up with week after week.
From Tuesday 6 January 2026, Emmerdale will settle into a permanent 8pm slot, with Coronation Street following straight after at 8.30pm. Both shows will air five 30-minute episodes each week, and create a consistent evening block for soap fans.
Just as the new schedule gets underway, a major BBC favourite is about to complicate things. The BBC has confirmed when season four of ‘The Traitors’ will hit screens, and its timing puts it right up against ITV’s soaps. The new series of The Traitors on Thursday 1 January at 8pm on BBC One, earlier than its usual 9pm slot. That small change makes a big difference, as it brings the hugely popular reality show into direct competition with Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Why Coronation Street Viewers Still Have Plenty of Options
Thankfully for soap fans, missing an episode doesn’t have to be an issue. ITV continues to release episodes early on ITVX and YouTube. It gives viewers the chance to watch ahead of broadcast or catch up later if they’re tempted by other shows. After the schedule changes, ITV’s Kevin Lygo explained that the decision was came from how audiences actually watch TV today.
He shared that ITV already gives viewers plenty of choice through ITVX. Their goal is to deliver their favourite soaps in a way that feels easy to fit into everyday life. He also pointed out that with so much competition for viewers’ attention, shorter episodes make it easier to stay engaged. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest Coronation Street and Emmerdale updates.