Football and Awards Take Over Prime Slots

Soap fans are facing disruption this week as ITV reshuffles its evening lineup, forcing Emmerdale and Coronation Street off the air for several nights. The shake-up is due to coverage of the FIFA World Cup qualifier and the annual National Television Awards.

Normally, Emmerdale fills its familiar weekday 7:30pm slot while Coronation Street anchors Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings with hour-long episodes at 8pm. However, ITV has confirmed both soaps will be temporarily bumped to make way for live events.

On Tuesday, September 9th, Emmerdale won’t air as England faces Serbia in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier. Coverage begins at 7pm, with kickoff at 7:45pm and the match running until 10pm. ITV News at Ten will follow, leaving no room for soapland drama. Fans will need to wait until Wednesday night for Emmerdale to return.

Corrie Fans Hit Harder

While Emmerdale only misses one night, Coronation Street is off the air longer. Wednesday, September 10th, belongs to the National Television Awards. The star-studded ceremony will broadcast from 8pm to 10:30pm, airing right after Emmerdale. This means no midweek Corrie, with the show instead returning on Friday, September 12th, at its usual 8pm slot.

The break is short, but it lands right after both soaps dropped huge bombshell episodes on Monday night, leaving fans eager for more.

Explosive Episodes Set the Stage

Emmerdale delivered one of its most dramatic installments yet, with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) finally uncovering the sinister truth about his husband John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth). The reveal confirmed fan theories about John’s dark double life, leaving Aaron stunned and setting up tense fallout when the show resumes.

Meanwhile, Coronation Street shocked viewers with the return of Lisa Swain’s (Vicky Myers) ex-wife Becky (Amy Cudden). Believed to have died years ago, Becky’s comeback sent shockwaves through Weatherfield. The emotional cliffhanger leaves Lisa and her family reeling, with fans desperate to see what happens next.

What This Means for Soap Fans

ITV’s decision to prioritize live events over soaps isn’t unusual, but it always creates frustration for dedicated fans. Both Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been riding waves of high-stakes drama, and the timing of these schedule gaps only intensifies anticipation.

Viewers tuning in on Tuesday and Wednesday should double-check listings to avoid disappointment. While the football and the NTAs draw massive audiences, soap fans will be counting the days until their favorites return to screens.

When to Watch Next

Here’s how the updated schedule looks:

• Tuesday, Sept 9: Emmerdale pulled from schedule, England vs Serbia World Cup Qualifier airs.

• Wednesday, Sept 10: Emmerdale airs at 7:30pm, followed by the National Television Awards at 8pm. Coronation Street is missing.

• Friday, Sept 12: Coronation Street returns in its regular 8pm slot.

Fans can catch up with Emmerdale and Coronation Street on ITVX if they miss live broadcasts.

High Drama Continues Next Week

The shake-up may delay the action, but both soaps are poised to deliver even bigger twists. In Emmerdale, Aaron’s discovery threatens to blow his marriage apart, while John’s menacing presence continues to cast a shadow over the village. Over in Coronation Street, Becky’s return could upend Lisa’s world and ignite new family rivalries.

With emotions running high and secrets threatening to unravel, the schedule changes might test viewers’ patience, but the payoff promises to be worth the wait.