Two of Britain's biggest soaps will be moved in the TV schedules as part of a big shakeup announced by ITV.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be broadcast at different times from March 2022 as ITV boosts its early evening news coverage.
The broadcaster is moving to an hour-long news programme from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, the Mirror reports.
This means Coronation Street will air hour-long episodes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm.
Go here for more what's on updates, news and reviews from around the North East
Emmerdale will have the regular 7.30pm slot.
ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo said: “As viewing habits rapidly change, live audiences to our national and international news programmes remain remarkably strong. Our evening news programme reached an impressive 35.6 million viewers in 2021. We are very excited to be announcing this investment in what is an important public service strength of ITV - high-quality, impartial, trusted broadcast journalism - at a time when it could not be more important.
"The nation’s two most popular continuing dramas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are fundamental to the success of ITV, and we know that, as with all dramas, viewers increasingly watch them whenever, and however they choose. The new scheduling means that viewers can watch them live on TV in one go in a continuous soap fix, as well as on ITV Hub where they are regularly in the most watched shows every month.”
On twitter, Corrie's official account posted: "Coming This March: Hour long Coronation Street episodes at 8pm on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays!"
While Emmerdale's account said: "Schedule Change: Emmerdale is moving! From March, you can watch us every weekday at our brand-new time of 7.30pm."
Reacting to the news about Corrie on twitter, David Higginson @DavidSalfordlad said: "EastEnders doesn’t stand a chance now."
While Emmerdale viewer Penny Evans @MnSpenpal said: "But are the writers being replaced? Lately it's been pretty dire, and I used to love this show. Now, I'm finding Coronation Street so much better."
ITV is also bringing in an hour-long news programme which will lead to the changes
