Coronation Street has been pulled from TV schedules tonight.

There will be no new episode of the ITV soap on Friday due to live coverage of the Six Nations.

Instead, the rugby tournament’s opening game, which will see Wales take on France, will air on ITV1 from 7.30pm.

In an unusual move, there will be no additional episode of Corrie to make up for the change, or indeed an early release on ITVX – as had previously been the case when the soap has had to move out of its usual slot for sporting coverage.

The show will return as usual on Monday at 8pm on ITV1, with the episode also dropping at 7am on ITVX.

Corrie bosses posted a reminder to fans on social media, which read: ‘A little reminder that we’re not on tomorrow evening, but we’re back on Monday at 8pm.

Shona, Davide, Leanne, Tim and Todd watch Number 8 burn in Corrie

‘Until then, stream the latest episodes on ITVX.’

Next week is set to be a huge one for Corrie, as a fire rages through the Platt house, leaving lives on the line.

Danger strikes even before the blaze, with a scary showdown between Abi Webster (Sally Carman) and Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) leading to the latter being left in a bad way.

Coronation Street pulled from screens this week in ANOTHER schedule shake-up - just as soap announces plans to slash weekly episodes | Daily Mail Online

But it’s not just Toyah who is in serious peril, with the fire leading to an explosion while Max Turner (played by departing Paddy Bever) caught in the blast.

In the aftermath, David (Jack P Shepherd) instantly comes under suspicion given his money issues.

However, when matches are found on a hungover Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), the situation takes an unexpected turn…

SHOCKING FIRE! Platt Family TRAGEDY as Huge Blaze Leaves Fan-Favourite Missing! - YouTube

**HOTTEST NEWS TODAY!!! Coronation Street pulled from TV schedules tonight as statement issued**

Soap opera fans across the UK were left reeling today as ITV announced a major scheduling shake-up, pulling the much-loved Coronation Street from its usual slot tonight. This unexpected decision has sparked a wave of reactions from viewers, ranging from disappointment to curiosity, as the broadcaster issued an official statement explaining the change. For a show that has been a staple of British television for over six decades, any disruption to its regular schedule is big news, and fans are eager to understand the reasons behind this move, as well as what it means for the future of their favorite Weatherfield storylines. Let’s dive into the details of this surprising development, explore the context, and consider the impact on fans and the show itself.

Coronation Street, often affectionately referred to as “Corrie,” is one of the UK’s longest-running and most iconic television programs, having first aired in December 1960. The show typically broadcasts multiple times a week, with episodes airing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at 8:00 PM on ITV. For millions of viewers, tuning in to catch up on the latest drama from the cobbles is a cherished ritual, making any changes to the schedule a significant event. Tonight, however, fans expecting their regular dose of Weatherfield gossip were met with the news that the show would not air as planned, prompting immediate speculation about the reasons behind the decision.

According to the official statement released by ITV, the decision to pull Coronation Street from tonight’s schedule was made to accommodate a major live sporting event. The broadcaster explained that a high-profile football match, part of an ongoing tournament, would be airing in the show’s usual time slot. “We understand that Coronation Street fans will be disappointed by this change, but we are committed to bringing viewers the best in live sports coverage,” the statement read. “We can assure fans that Coronation Street will return to its regular schedule soon, and we thank viewers for their understanding.” While the statement was clear and concise, it did little to quell the frustration of loyal viewers who had been eagerly anticipating tonight’s episode.

This is not the first time that Coronation Street has been bumped from its regular slot to make way for live sports or other special programming. Soap operas, despite their dedicated fan bases, are often the first casualties of scheduling conflicts, particularly during major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, or significant football tournaments. While some viewers are understanding of the need to prioritize live events, others feel that soaps like Coronation Street are unfairly treated, especially given their cultural significance and loyal audiences. Social media platforms were quickly flooded with reactions, with hashtags like #SaveCorrie and #BringBackCorrie trending as fans voiced their disappointment.

The decision to pull tonight’s episode comes at a particularly dramatic time in Coronation Street’s ongoing storylines, adding to fans’ frustration. The show has recently been airing several high-stakes plots, including the ongoing fallout from Stephen Reid’s reign of terror, the emotional struggles of Paul Foreman as he battles motor neurone disease, and the turbulent relationship dynamics between characters like Daisy Midgeley and Daniel Osbourne. With cliffhangers and unresolved drama aplenty, viewers were eager to see how these storylines would progress, making the scheduling change feel especially ill-timed. For many, the abrupt interruption feels like being left hanging at a critical moment in a gripping novel.

To understand the broader context of this scheduling change, it’s worth considering the challenges faced by broadcasters like ITV in balancing the demands of diverse audiences. Live sports, particularly football, command huge viewership numbers and significant advertising revenue, making them a priority for networks. In contrast, soap operas, while still popular, cater to a more specific demographic and are often seen as less time-sensitive, given their pre-recorded nature. This dynamic has long been a source of tension between soap fans and broadcasters, with similar scheduling disruptions affecting not only Coronation Street but also other soaps like EastEnders and Emmerdale in the past.

Coronation Street legend abruptly leaves Weatherfield after a whopping 26  years - leaving their loved ones reeling as soap scenes slashed | Daily  Mail Online

For Coronation Street fans, the frustration is compounded by the fact that the show has already faced significant disruptions in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, production was halted, leading to a reduced number of episodes and changes to the filming schedule. While the show eventually returned to its regular output, the experience left fans acutely aware of how vulnerable their favorite programs can be to external factors. Tonight’s scheduling change, while not as severe as the pandemic disruptions, serves as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining consistency in an ever-changing television landscape.

Despite the disappointment, there is some good news for Coronation Street fans. ITV has confirmed that the missed episode will be rescheduled, ensuring that viewers won’t miss out on any of the drama. While an exact date and time for the rescheduled episode have not yet been announced, the broadcaster has promised to provide updates soon. Additionally, fans have the option to catch up on recent episodes via the ITV Hub, the network’s streaming platform, which offers on-demand access to Coronation Street and other programs. For tech-savvy viewers, this provides a convenient workaround, though it does little to replicate the communal experience of watching live with millions of others.

The scheduling change also raises broader questions about the future of soap operas in an era of shifting viewing habits. With the rise of streaming services and on-demand viewing, traditional linear television schedules are becoming less rigid, and audiences are increasingly accustomed to watching shows at their own convenience. While this offers greater flexibility, it also challenges the cultural role of soaps as shared viewing experiences, where fans gather—whether in person or online—to discuss the latest twists and turns. For Coronation Street, maintaining its place in the national conversation will require adapting to these changes while preserving the elements that have made it a beloved institution.

Looking ahead, tonight’s disruption is unlikely to have a lasting impact on Coronation Street’s popularity, but it does highlight the need for better communication and planning from broadcasters. Many fans have suggested that ITV could mitigate frustration by providing more advance notice of scheduling changes or by offering alternative viewing options, such as airing the missed episode later in the evening. Others have called for soaps to be given greater protection in the schedules, arguing that their cultural significance and loyal audiences deserve more respect. Whether these calls will lead to meaningful changes remains to be seen, but they underscore the passion and dedication of Coronation Street’s fan base.

In conclusion, the decision to pull Coronation Street from tonight’s TV schedule has sparked a mix of disappointment, frustration, and understanding among fans, while also shining a light on the broader challenges of television scheduling. While the move was made to accommodate a major sporting event, it has left viewers eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite show and the resolution of its gripping storylines. For now, fans can take comfort in the knowledge that Coronation Street will be back soon, and the drama of Weatherfield will continue to unfold, albeit with a slight delay. As always, the resilience of Corrie fans will ensure that the show remains a cornerstone of British television, no matter what scheduling hurdles it faces.