Viewers of Emmerdale and Coronation Street should prepare for alterations to the television lineup this week as ITV1 prioritises coverage of a football fixture.

These long-running soap operas frequently experience rescheduling when football matches are broadcast, and this occasion follows the established pattern.

The England versus Uruguay encounter is scheduled to begin at 7pm on Friday, March 27, with the actual kickoff occurring at 7.45pm on ITV1.

Since this programming extends into the customary soap time slots, both Emmerdale and Coronation Street have modified their typical arrangements.

Emmerdale typically screens from 8pm on ITV1 from Monday through Friday, however the instalment due on Friday, March 27 will not be shown. Instead, viewers can anticipate an episode at 6pm on Sunday, March 29.

Coronation Street generally broadcasts from 8.30pm on the same channel across weekdays, but Friday’s programme will similarly not air. The programme will instead appear on Sunday following Emmerdale, commencing at 6.30pm on ITV1.

Beyond these adjustments for the England fixture, both soap operas will proceed according to their standard schedules throughout the remainder of the week.

Social media users on Reddit expressed their opinions regarding the rescheduling, questioning why the soap operas had to be displaced to accommodate football coverage.

Some commenters suggested that ITV could simply broadcast the football on alternative channels such as itv2 or itv4. Others countered that contractual obligations with football governing bodies likely require matches to be shown on the flagship channel.

During 2025, ITV revealed modifications to its soap opera programming structure, encompassing both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Beginning in January 2026, the broadcaster implemented what it termed a soaps power hour on weekday evenings, comprising 30-minute Emmerdale episodes at 8pm followed by 30-minute Coronation Street instalments at 8.30pm.

Previously, Coronation Street aired three hour-long episodes weekly, while Emmerdale broadcast four 30-minute episodes alongside one hour-long edition.

In May 2025, ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall stated that the organisation was advancing effectively with its efficiency programme, anticipating £30 million in savings from non-content areas throughout 2025.

The broadcaster additionally implemented alterations to its daytime programming, including Good Morning Britain and Lorraine. From January of this year, Good Morning Britain received a 30-minute extension, whereas Lorraine Kelly’s morning programme was condensed to 30 minutes for 30 weeks annually.