ITV has revealed some of the changes it’s making to its schedule in the wake of the coronavirus.
The broadcaster says that soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will still run through the Spring and early summer.
National and regional news would continue bring “great innovation and professionalism” to broadcast output. There would also be newly commissioned current affairs programmes on life during the crisis.
Coronavirus, Isolation & Me, is being filmed on an “innovative mobile rig” which does not require a film crew. There will also be a series of special Tonight episodes on the pandemic.
As sport has come to a stand-still, ITV will air a Virtual Grand National, using a CGI field of horses, which is produced by Manchester’s Carm Productions.
“ITV’s aims are to serve up as much information, guidance and entertainment as possible to help people to get through this extraordinary time. That’s why we’ve put exciting new shows into the schedule while doing everything possible to keep our live daytime programmes on air to speak directly to you each day, along with our rock solid news bulletins,” said Kevin Lygo, ITV Director of Television.
“We hope Saturday night entertainment like Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and In For a Penny continue to entertain millions of people on a Saturday night, and factual offerings from Harry’s Heroes to Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip will offer some comfort and escapism in the weeks ahead. New dramas such as Julian Fellows’ Belgravia, The Good Karma Hospital and the upcoming Quiz all aim to enthrall viewers through the coming weeks. We’ve even staged our own Virtual Grand National to help you ride this out. We hope you tune in and enjoy what we have to offer.”
