Coronation Street and Emmerdale are reducing their number of weekly episodes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Corrie will be airing three episodes a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7.30pm), while Emmerdale will broadcast five weekly episodes (weekdays at 7pm). Both shows usually have six episodes a week.

ITV confirmed that the scheduling changes will take effect from Monday, March 30.



It has also been announced that the soaps will be "scaling back location shooting" and filming with reduced numbers of cast and crew.

ITV

Related: Coronation Street eliminating kissing scenes due to coronavirus pandemic

"The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority to all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows," ITV's statement said.

"Whilst carefully adhering to the latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England, our production teams are continuing to film episodes in Manchester and Leeds.

"With this change of transmission pattern, it will ensure we have great new soap episodes coming to air every weekday night until at least the early summer.

"With effect from Monday, March 30, Coronation Street and Emmerdale's scheduling pattern will be changing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Emmerdale will air Monday to Friday at 7pm and Coronation Street Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm."

ITV

Kevin Lygo, ITV Director of Television, added: "Coronation Street and Emmerdale are Britain's two most popular soaps with millions following both shows.

"The latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England is making filming both shows a real challenge – particularly with cast and crew members who are over 70 or have underlying health conditions.

"Through a mix of changes to production and scheduling we are confident that we can keep broadcasting new episodes of both shows over the coming months.

"On the production front we are filming with fewer cast and crew and we're scaling back location shooting whilst adhering to the Government's guidelines."

ITV's decision comes after the BBC confirmed that EastEnders will be reduced to two weekly episodes (Mondays 8pm and Tuesdays 7.30pm), as all of BBC's continuing dramas have postponed filming.

Coronation Street and Emmerdale air on ITV.

The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing.

For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

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