Major shifts are happening in Emmerdale and Coronation Street, and it’s not happy news for the fans. What we thought to be a minor reshuffle when Kate Brooks cleared the cash crunch rumours—is now becoming a major job-chop wave. The latest updates confirm that around 75 jobs will be cut going ahead, and one episode will also be chopped off every week.
Why the Major Shifts?
For years, both ITV soaps have been a British television staple and aired six episodes per week. But the latest news says that from January 2026, a new “soap per hour” format might take over. Going ahead, Emmerdale will air at 8 pm and Coronation Street at 8:30 pm, Monday through Friday. While the ITV executives claim the decision has been made based on their viewing habits, almost 75 jobs will be lost. The cast, crew, and writing teams will reflect the changes.
Behind the scenes, the staff came in for a meeting where the news was officially delivered. The latest news has shocked many, with production already under strain due to the potential budget cuts. According to the insiders, 30-minute episodes have performed better than your-long ones throughout 2024.
Kevin Lygo stated: “This new commissioning pattern will mean five hours of soaps a week. We are conscious this will impact the people who work on the soap team. It will support our colleagues at ITV Studios as they work through these changes. We will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.”
Despite the assurances of ITV, the immediate impact makes it clear that redundancies will occur across all departments. While the significant details are under wraps, we can only pray for the best for everyone. Only the upcoming Emmerdale and Coronation Street news can reveal what happens next. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily to keep a tab.
