ITV Share By Carena Crawford Jan 30 2026 By Carena Crawford Jan 30 2026 EXCLUSIVE: Emmerdale fans demand time change less than a month into soap power hour The half-hour episodes are a hit though Corriedale Share By Carena Crawford Jan 30 2026 By Carena Crawford Jan 30 2026 The year started with a bang for Emmerdale after Corriedale aired and then it moved to a new time slot. But although some of the moves have been a big hit, there’s one thing still sticking out to fans who want another change. It’s not even been a month since the new schedule started, but soap fans know what they want! The year started with a bang with Corriedale (Credit: ITV) 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. Despite some concerns that it meant the soap was in trouble, coupled with lots of cast exits, it was then revealed that actually it was a great move by ITV as stats confirmed viewing was way up. The soaps then announced a new schedule. The soap ‘power hour’ started from January 2026. It saw Emmerdale continue to air five nights a week with new episodes still dropping on ITVX at 7am every morning. However it 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 to make way for the additional episodes of Coronation Street. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers This ensures faster-paced, digestible episodes – a 30-minute format which has already proven popular with viewers. And it certainly seemed like a great move, with fans immediately saying: “I love the new soaps schedule.” The 30 minute episodes were a hit with comments such as: “So much better having the episodes on 30 mins a night in my opinion.” Anothe said: “Finally, I can watch my three favourite soaps in a row. Much prefer this schedule and the 30 min episodes.” Has the soap aired Graham’s return too late? (Credit: ITV) One major complaint about 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 (only The One Show and Channel 4 News on). Hope the 8pm slot works out but have my doubts.” “Why couldn’t this ‘power hour’ be from 7-8pm, returning both shows to their traditional, long held timeslots? Bad move, ITV. The likes of The Traitors and The Apprentice will simply move forward and hour…” stated a third. Bear’s big storyline has played out for much of 2026 (Credit: ITV) Exclusive poll for Emmerdale Insider reveals fan demands And now in a poll run by Emmerdale Insider, fans have declared they want a time change. A massive 88 per cent of viewers have said soap power hour should be from 7pm to 8pm instead. They are split down the middle over whether Emmerdale should be on at 7pm or 7.30pm. But the overall demand is clear: soap power hour should be an hour earlier. As we’re less than a month in to the new schedule it seems unlikely they will change it already. But with sport messing things up again next week, perhaps it won’t be long before another change comes in… Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford Jan 30 2026 By Carena Crawford Jan 30 2026 Next Story
