Politics
Emmerdale fans furious as new ITV schedule sees soap pushed back to make way for the news
EMMERDALE fans are up in arms over ITV’s new schedule shake-up that’s seen the soap pushed back by 30 minutes.
The popular rural drama has filled the 7pm slot for years, leading into Coronation Street at 7.30pm.
ITVEmmerdale has been pushed back to 7.30pm[/caption]
ITVThe soap now goes head to head with EastEnders[/caption]
But last week ITV began airing an extended hour-long News programme at 6.30pm, pushing Emmerdale back to 7.30pm and Corrie to 8pm.
As a result the BBC has moved EastEnders to a daily 7.30pm slot creating an almighty soap clash.
One Emmerdale viewer wrote on Twitter: “i hate this new soap schedule with emmerdale and eastenders being on at the same time.”
A second posted: “Really do not like the new ITV schedule! @emmerdale.”
A third said: “Lets be honest @itv have RUINED the evening schedule. Completely ripped it apart. Emmerdale will lose viewers. #itvnews.”
Emmerdale came out on top in the ratings stakes after its first clash with EastEnders.
It pulled in 4.2m viewers, while Enders was watched by 2.6m in the overnight figures.
However, it was Coronation Street that emerged triumphant in its 8pm hour-long slot with 4.4m tuning in.
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It does not include people who catch-up on iPlayer or ITVPlayer.
In a further schedule change Corrie’s two episodes are being merged into one to create an hour-long episode every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The BBC in response moved EastEnders from its haphazard schedule to a firmer footing.
It used to air on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at varying times but that has all changed.
It is the first time the soap has aired on consecutive nights since it begin 37 years ago.
BBC bosses are banking on viewers being willing to watch the soap on iPlayer instead of live.
