Argos and ITV have confirmed the renewal of the retailer’s Coronation Street headline sponsorship deal. In addition, a brand new Sainsbury’s and Argos store facade is being added to the famous cobbles.
After three years of engaging sponsorship, the retailer is both continuing its deal with the nation’s much-loved and world-renowned soap, for an additional two years up to December 2026, and continuing its extensive package which includes licensing, digital and social activation, as well as broadcast.
Introducing new product placement activity Argos, as part of a Sainsbury’s store, will take up residence on Victoria Street. Sainsbury’s bags for life and products will be woven into the day-to-day lives of the on-screen families and residents of Weatherfield.
The retailer remains only the fourth ever headline sponsor of the country’s most-watched soap, which boasts more than 60 years on air and across ITV1 and ITVX, reaches 7m viewers a week and has been streamed over 43m times this year.
Viewers will first see the change from July 2024 when the hoardings will be installed while the new store is finished. The store will be operational on screen in the coming months.
Laura Boothby, head of campaigns at Argos, said: “Coronation Street is one of the country’s most iconic TV shows which our customers know and love, so continuing our sponsorship made perfect sense. With over 800 Sainsbury’s convenience stores across the country, we continue to make it really easy for customers to run in for a pint of milk as well as pick up a last minute birthday gift from Argos. We hope the new store brings familiarness and fun to viewers watching from home and perhaps see Ken Barlow popping in to Click & Collect a new kettle.”
Mark Trinder, ITV director of commercial sales and partnerships said: “We are proud and excited to be continuing and expanding the relationship between two of the nation’s most loved and recognised brands. In a world where context, creativity and engagement can sometimes suffer, this partnership delivers on all. This has been a detailed and collaborative renewal process for which I’m grateful to the many ITV teams, PHD/Drum and of course to Argos and Sainsbury’s for their approval and ongoing support.”
John Whiston, MD of Continuing Drama, and head of ITV in the North, added: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastically successful partnership with Argos over the past three years. So we’re excited to see this continue and grow with the Brand getting to have some fun with us by bringing a Sainsbury’s and Argos store into the heart of Weatherfield. It’ll be the talk of The Street what’s going on behind those hoardings, I’m sure.”
