ITV will launch a weeknight “soaps power hour” in 2026, featuring shorter Emmerdale and Coronation Street episodes to boost streaming and offer faster plots.
Starting January 2026, things change. ITV will have a “soaps power hour” weeknights. Emmerdale will be at 8 pm for 30 minutes. Then, Coronation Street follows at 8:30 pm.
You can still watch on ITVX at 7 am beforehand. They will still air on ITV later that evening. ITV says viewers want this change and think it will help with streaming.
ITV says people want faster storylines. Thirty-minute shows fit that better. Cutting show time affects soap staff. This new hour will be consistent for watching too.
ITV will support their studio workers. They want the soaps to succeed longer. This change frees money to spend on new shows.
Coronation Street started in 1960. Back then, it had two shows a week. It grew to six, then changed in March 2022. Now, it’s three long episodes each week.
Emmerdale began in 1972, two shows weekly too. It increased to six episodes by 2004. The sixth show then became one long episode.
The soaps have some big stunts planned. A fire just started at Coronation Street, while Emmerdale has limos in danger on a frozen lake. ITV promises a huge stunt in 2026.
