ITV viewers are facing an unexpected disruption this week, and it is not a dramatic twist in Weatherfield that has caused it. Instead, a sudden schedule change has pushed Coronation Street off air, leaving loyal fans frustrated after learning their usual Friday night visit to the cobbles has been cancelled. The reason behind the decision has already sparked a wave of complaints online.
Coronation Street And Emmerdale Pulled From Friday Line-Up
Coronation Street fans will have to wait longer for their next episode, as ITV has confirmed that both Coronation Street and Emmerdale will not air in their regular slots on Friday, March 6. In January, ITV introduced its new “power hour” format for the soaps, creating a revised weekday pattern. Under this arrangement, viewers watch 30-minute episodes of Emmerdale at 8pm, followed by 30-minute episodes of Coronation Street at 8.30pm, running Monday to Friday.
The channel promoted the change as a way to make evening viewing easier to follow and more accessible for modern audiences.
This week, that routine will pause. ITV has removed both soaps from the Friday schedule and will restore the usual 8pm to 9pm block the following week on Monday, March 9. Until then, fans will miss a night of drama in Weatherfield and the Dales as the network hands prime time over to a major sporting event.
Rugby Coverage Replaces Coronation Street
ITV has cleared the prime-time slot to broadcast live coverage of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash between Wales and Ireland. The match will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and will dominate the channel’s Friday evening programming.
Jill Douglas will host the coverage as Ireland attempt to improve on their difficult 2025 encounter against Wales. Sports viewers may welcome the live event, but many soap fans have reacted angrily across social media platforms.
The temporary removal of the soaps has also renewed discussion about ITV’s earlier scheduling overhaul. When the channel launched the “power hour” in January, Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of television, defended the decision. Lygo said the new commissioning pattern was viewer-led and pointed out that ITV already offers more choice than ever through ITVX. He explained that the network wants to present favourite soaps in the most digestible way possible for audiences.
Despite those assurances, many viewers remain unhappy about this week’s disruption. Rugby may take centre stage on Friday night, but plenty of fans would much rather return to Weatherfield and the Dales for their usual evening of soap drama. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.