Emmerdale and Coronation Street will change times next week - as the World Cup kicks off.
ITV are making some big changes to their much-loved soaps next week as the World Cup begins in Qatar. The football will run from November 20 to December 8, with the action from the Cobbles and the Dales facing schedule changes as a result.
From Monday November 21, both soaps will have their schedules changed to allow for the football to be aired on ITV. Emmerdale usually airs weekdays for half an hour from 7.30pm, with an hour long episode on Thursdays, whilst Coronation Street usually airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV at 8pm each week.
However, in the first of its schedule changes for the next few weeks, on Monday November 21, neither soap will air as ITV will instead be broadcasting the USA vs Wales game, with coverage beginning from 6.05pm.
On Tuesday, there will be an hour long episode of Emmerdale from 7pm, to make up for the fact it didn't air on Monday. On Wednesday November 23, Emmerdale will air another hour episode at 7pm. Coronation Street will then air after that in its usual slot at 8pm in its first episode of the week for an hour long episode.
Thursday November 24 will see Emmerdale air an hour long episode at 7pm, followed by Coronation Street, which will be aired at 8pm for an hour long episode. On Friday, there will be no soaps aired as ITV are broadcasting the England vs USA game from 6.05pm.
ITV and BBC are sharing the coverage of the World Cup, meaning some BBC shows including soap EastEnders will also see some schedule changes to allow for the football to be broadcasted.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, previously said: "The World Cup is now in focus and we’re delighted to be able to bring viewers coverage of what promises to be some of the standout games of the tournament across ITV channels and our new free streaming service ITVX, which launches this autumn.
"We’re kicking-off with the opening match and will show England’s group stage match against the USA as well as games involving tournament favourites such as Brazil, France, Argentina, Spain and the Netherlands."
He added: "Plus, we have picks one and two of the round of 16 and pick one of the quarter-finals. The ITV Sport team is now looking forward to bringing viewers the very best of the first winter World Cup."
