ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale are reducing their six weekly episodes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronation Street will be airing three episodes a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7.30pm), while Emmerdale will broadcast five (weekdays at 7pm). The scheduling changes will take effect from Monday March 30th.
It has also been announced that the soaps will be “scaling back location shooting” and filming with reduced numbers of cast and crew.
Kevin Lygo, ITV Director of Television, said: “Coronation Street and Emmerdale are Britain’s two most popular soaps with millions following both shows.
“The latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England is making filming both shows a real challenge – particularly with cast and crew members who are over 70 or have underlying health conditions.
“Through a mix of changes to production and scheduling we are confident that we can keep broadcasting new episodes of both shows over the coming months.
“On the production front we are filming with fewer cast and crew and we’re scaling back location shooting whilst adhering to the Government’s guidelines.”
