Viewers in meltdown as they flag ANOTHER issue with new soap power hour
It's already causing multiple problems moving Emmerdale and Corrie laterAn exclusive poll run by Emmerdale Insider last week confirmed fans already want a change to the new time slot for soap power hour. And now viewers have flagged yet another issue with the soap airing at 8pm instead of 7pm or 7.30pm.
It was an explosive start to 2026 for Emmerdale and Coronation Street after Corriedale aired. Then both soaps moved to a new time.
However now, even though fans are happy with the 30 minute episodes, they are not happy with it airing so late. This has been highlighted by the fact the soap is off air AGAIN tonight (Tuesday February 3) due to football.
If, in fact, the soap power hour had been scheduled from 7pm for an hour instead, it would mean Emmerdale would be more likely to air every night without changes.
ITV introduces a soap ‘power hour’ for Emmerdale and Coronation Street
In October 2024, Emmerdale and Coronation Street began streaming their episodes on ITVX from 7am on the day they were due to air. The soaps then announced a new schedule. The soap ‘power hour’ started from January 2026.
Emmerdale continues to air five nights a week with new episodes still dropping on ITVX at 7am every morning. However it has moved to a new time of 8pm, instead of the old 7.30pm slot.
Coronation Street has gone from airing Monday, Wednesday and Friday for an hour, to daily half-hour episodes at 8.30pm. Emmerdale’s Thursday double bill has also been cut to half an hour.
The 30-minute format which has already proven popular with viewers, with one saying: “So much better having the episodes on 30 mins a night in my opinion.” Another said: “Finally, I can watch my three favourite soaps in a row. Much prefer this schedule and the 30 min episodes.”
Complaints over new Emmerdale time slot
However despite the love for the everyday for 30 minutes, there was one major complaint – it’s on too late.
“I think Emmerdale should be on at 7pm then Corrie at 7.30pm so it won’t be too late,” commented one person.
Another agreed: “Can’t help feeling that the 8pm timeslot will mean losing viewers who watch it live. You’re up against bigger programs such as The Traitors in that time slot. 7pm was the best slot for Emmerdale I felt.”
“Why couldn’t this ‘power hour’ be from 7-8pm, returning both shows to their traditional, long held timeslots? Bad move, ITV,” stated a third.
And then in a poll run by Emmerdale Insider last month, fans declared they want a time change. A massive 88 per cent of viewers said soap power hour should be from 7pm to 8pm instead.
More chaos to the Emmerdale time slot
The argument that power hour should move to start at 7pm has gathered pace following the news that an EFL football match will air in the place of soaps tonight. Arsenal are taking on Chelsea with an 8pm kick-off for anyone interested!
It seems like most Emmerdale fans are not interested though and are instead unhappy. They have pointed out that the new soap schedule should not be disrupted like this – and if ITV had put the soaps on earlier it wouldn’t have happened.
“When sport is on, if Martin Lewis can start at 7.15pm on a Tuesday, I’m sure they can get an ep of Emmerdale in at that time! The build-up to a match does not need to be half an hour!” said one on social media.
Another added: “The new 8pm start is annoying enough, but they’re seriously taking the [bleep].”
There were also many cries of: “Fed up with always having to be second best to sport!”
Someone else directed their fury at ITV: “Why do you insist on disrupting ITV schedule for Emmerdale and Corrie to put football on. Why can’t the football be put on ITV2 or ITV4. The soaps have recently changed timings… so please sort it out.”
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
