Emmerdale and Coronation Street schedule change confirmed as ITV issue announcement

Soap fans are in for a treat as Emmerdale and Coronation Street episodes will now be available to stream online before their usual ITV1 airing.

Starting from Monday, October 14, the latest instalments of these beloved soaps can be watched on ITVX from 7am, giving viewers the chance to catch up early in the day.

This move is part of ITV's commitment to providing audiences with more flexibility in how they enjoy their favourite programmes. The new "soap drop" at 7am aligns with the launch of an exciting soap hub on ITVX, which will feature not only the most recent episodes but also a wealth of related content, all accessible before the evening broadcast on ITV1.

ITVX's fresh soap section will boast special categories for Classic Coronation Street and Classic Emmerdale, alongside a selection of the Greatest Episodes and a curated Stars of the Soaps collection. This includes acclaimed dramas such as Tina and Bobby with Michelle Keegan, Maryland featuring Suranne Jones, and The Long Shadow with Katherine Kelly, among others.

Additionally, the Top Picks section within the soap destination will highlight Nolly, the biopic by Russell T Davies about soap legend Noele Gordon, with Helena Bonham Carter portraying the Crossroads icon. Fans can also delve into nostalgic episodes of Crossroads, complete with introductions from their favourite soap stars who will share their top picks from ITVX.

ITVX has witnessed a significant surge in Soap viewership in 2024, with Emmerdale and Coronation Street both experiencing around a 30% increase. These stalwarts of TV drama are among the top five streamed shows on ITVX, amassing nearly 300 million streams this year alone, reports Leeds Live.

Craig Morris, Managing Editor of ITV Channels and ITVX, enthused over the audience's reaction: "The positive response when we made the soaps available at 7am during The Euros and the Olympics this year shows that audiences want to choose when to watch their favourite Soap, and the new dedicated destination on ITVX is a fitting home for the Nation's biggest and best continuing dramas.

"Now you can choose when to enjoy your daily dose of drama - whether during the morning commute, over lunch or at a time that suits you each evening."

As Emmerdale commemorates 30 years of the iconic Dingle clan this week, fans will be gripping their seats as the soap's largest family comes to terms with the loss of their patriarch, Zak.

Amidst the grief that grips the village, the Dingle family does what it does bestunite in support. Cain, Sam, and a heartbroken Belle engage in poignant reflections of their beloved father as the villagers come together to honour his memory.

Coronation Street is set for spine-chilling developments as DS Lisa Swain, DC Kit Green, and PC Craig Tinker intensify their hunt for Joel Deering following the discovery of a body in a canal. With mounting suspicions of a brutal murder, shockwaves ripple through Dee-Dee and Lauren upon hearing that he's been murdered.

However, the investigation is far from over, with the police on the cusp of further alarming revelations. Iain MacLeod, ITV's Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, enthusiastically remarked: "This is great news for soap fans! Having the ability to catch your favourite show at a time that suits you fits perfectly with people's busy days and flexible lives. And who doesn't love the idea of watching the latest Dingle drama in the Dales or calamity on the Cobbles on the tram to work, or over a brew after dropping the kids at school!

"As a soap nerd, I should also say that the new soap page is an absolute treat. It's a one-stop shop for fans of Coronation Street and Emmerdale and it will now be so easy to enjoy your favourite shows, and delve into their illustrious histories and beyond."

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV1 at 7.30pm and Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV1 at 8pm