TV Titans: Drama Series Cutbacks Threaten Long-Ran…

ITV announced significant schedule changes for two popular soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Starting next year, these iconic series will have their weekly airtime reduced by an hour. Currently, Coronation Street airs three one-hour episodes per week, whereas Emmerdale broadcasts four 30-minute segments plus a single one-hour episode. From January 2026 onward, both shows will transition to airing exclusively half-hour episodes.

ITV’s new schedule includes a dedicated “soaps power hour” every weekday evening. Emmerdale will debut at 8pm on weekdays, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30pm. Viewers can still access the full episode releases earlier in the day through ITVX before watching them on television later that evening.

Kevyn Lygo, ITV’s performing arts boss, justified these changes as being “viewer-led” and emphasized their intention to make the soaps more compatible with streaming platforms. However, Equity, a leading performance arts union representing actors in the UK, expressed concerns about the potential impacts on its members. Despite ITV’s reassurances that there will be no direct consequences for cast pay or contracts, the union highlighted reduced opportunities for guest and supporting artists.

Lygo acknowledged the change would impact those working behind-the-scenes but assured continued support to staff at ITV Studios as they navigate these shifts. He also explained that reducing episode numbers frees up budget space within ITV’s programming funds, aiming to enhance its overall reach in a competitive market.

In recent years, there has been a trend of significant schedule reductions and cancellations across various long-running soap operas and television series. The BBC recently cancelled the popular Doctors after 23 years and confirmed plans to end Holby City. Additionally, Casualty’s episode count was trimmed while Channel 4 axed its support for Hollyoaks.

The declining advertising revenue is cited as one of several factors influencing these changes. As the TV industry continues to face financial pressures, soaps and other long-form dramas are grappling with reduced budgets and fewer opportunities for new talent or established actors in regional productions.