Emmerdale fans angry as more episodes cut from ITV schedule

ITV has changed its soap schedule for 2026, with Emmerdale and Coronation Street showing back-to-back on weeknights.

Bosses said the new schedule comes after research revealed that 30-minute episodes attracted higher audiences in 2024, and deliver “more digestible instalments of continuing drama that better fit with changing viewer habits”.

However, with the EFL Cup and Six Nations coverage, the number of Emmerdale episodes next week has been cut, and fans are unimpressed.

Emmerdale fans angry as more episodes cut from ITV schedule

Taking to the Emmerdale Reddit page, soap fans have spoken of their disappointment following the schedule change.

One wrote: “I remember the times we used to get episodes moved to other times because of the football (even last year), but now it seems like the new standard is simply no episode at all on the football/sports days.”

Another said: “This is so painful. There are very few shows that I like to watch but they keep being shunted.”

A third added: “This is stupid. So they already cut all the extra episodes going from 6 to 5 per week.

“Now every other week it seems they lose another episode. So in 2026 how many fewer episodes will there really be compared to 2025?”

A fellow ITV soap fan also felt the frustration, saying: “Same thing is happening with Corrie. This whole new schedule is a ploy to tear our beloved soap episodes away from us!”

What is the new ITV soap schedule for 2026?

Following the Corriedale crossover earlier this year, Coronation Street and Emmerdale have moved to a new scheduling pattern on ITV1.

The soap power hour sees new episodes of Emmerdale at 8pm and Corrie at 8.30pm on weekdays, Monday to Friday.

Despite this, episodes are continuing to drop at 7am on ITVX, before transmission each evening.

On the reason for the change, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, said: “The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led. 

“We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way. 

“In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.

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“Research insights also show us that soap viewers are increasingly looking to the soaps for their pacey storytelling.

“Streaming-friendly, 30-minute episodes better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, pay-off and resolution.”

Are you disappointed to see less Emmerdale and Corrie episodes next week? Let us know in the comments.