In a notable shift in programming, ITV has announced that Coronation Street and Emmerdale will not air on ITV1 and ITVX today, March 27, 2026, due to the coverage of the England v Uruguay friendly game. The match is set to begin at 7pm, leading to a temporary alteration in the usual schedule.

Viewers can expect a rare Sunday episode of Emmerdale at 7pm, followed by Coronation Street at 7:30pm. This is a deviation from the regular weeknight slots, where Emmerdale typically airs at 8pm and Coronation Street at 8:30pm.

Both shows have been part of ITV’s evening lineup for years, with Coronation Street airing on weeknights at 8:30pm and streaming on ITVX. Similarly, Emmerdale has its weeknight airing at 8pm, also available for streaming on the platform.

Interestingly, this schedule change is not a one-off; both shows are also set to air next Easter Sunday, indicating a trend towards more flexible programming in response to sports events.

As part of a broader strategy, ITV has introduced half-hour episodes for both shows, creating a ‘soap power hour’ between 8pm and 9pm, five days a week. This initiative aims to cater to changing viewer habits and competition for audience attention.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, commented on the changes, stating, “In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.”

These adjustments reflect ITV’s ongoing efforts to adapt its programming to current viewer preferences and external factors such as sports events. Recent schedule changes have occurred due to sports fixtures and other reasons, highlighting the network’s responsiveness to real-time events.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further long-term changes to the programming schedule, but observers are keen to see how ITV continues to balance its popular soap operas with live sports coverage in the future.

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On March 6, 2026, ITV1 will temporarily suspend its flagship soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, to air coverage of the Six Nations rugby tournament. The coverage is set to begin at 7.20pm and conclude at 10.40pm, with the match between Ireland and Wales kicking off at 8.10pm.

This scheduling change marks a significant shift for ITV1, as the soaps, which typically air on weeknights at 8.30pm and 8.00pm respectively, will not be broadcast on this date. Regular programming for both shows is expected to resume on March 9, 2026.

The decision to alter the schedule comes in the wake of ITV’s new ‘power hour’ format, which launched in January 2026. Under this format, Coronation Street and Emmerdale now air for half an hour each, five nights a week, a change that ITV executives describe as ‘viewer-led’ due to evolving viewing habits.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television, commented on the changes, stating, “In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.” He also noted that research indicates soap viewers are increasingly drawn to the pacey storytelling these programs offer.

Despite the temporary suspension, both soaps remain popular with live audiences in the UK. Coronation Street boasts an average of 2.97 million live viewers and a 24.3% audience share, while Emmerdale has an average of 2.89 million viewers and a 24.7% share.

As ITV1 navigates these programming changes, the network continues to adapt to the preferences of its audience while balancing sports coverage and its long-standing soap operas. The impact of these changes on viewer engagement will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.

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ITV has announced significant changes to its daytime programming, with Lorraine Kelly taking an extended break from her show for nearly two months due to illness and scheduling adjustments. Lorraine’s absence began after she missed broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026, and she is set to take a seven-week break starting in early March 2026.

During Lorraine’s absence, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard have stepped in to host her show. This shift comes as ITV has confirmed that Lorraine’s show will now be reduced from an hour to just 30 minutes, airing weekdays from 9:30 am to 10 am. Both Lorraine and the popular show Loose Women will now air for only 30 weeks a year, a significant reduction from previous schedules.

The immediate cause for this schedule shake-up is ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, which has necessitated changes to the programming lineup. Good Morning Britain has extended its broadcast until 10 am to fill the slots traditionally held by Lorraine and Loose Women, reflecting a broader strategy to adapt to changing viewer demands and event schedules.

Lorraine Kelly, who is 66 years old, first came to national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie. Her self-titled show debuted in 2010 and has since become a fixture of British morning television, garnering a loyal audience. Lorraine expressed her feelings about her current situation, stating, “I am feeling a whole lot better. But this has been a bad lurgy. If you’re going through it yourself, you have my sympathy. It’s a tough one. But I am getting there.” She also noted, “I will be off for a good few weeks. Not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show.”

The programming changes have not only affected the show’s format but have also led to around 200 job losses in ITV’s daytime production. This restructuring reflects ITV’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and adapt to the evolving landscape of daytime television. The changes were first announced in May 2025, indicating a strategic shift within the network.

Fans of Lorraine have shown their support on social media, with messages such as, “Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love,” from fellow presenter Susanna Reid. The impact of these changes is being closely monitored, with viewers and industry observers alike keen to see how ITV’s new programming strategy will unfold.

As ITV navigates these adjustments, the future of its daytime lineup remains a topic of discussion. The network’s commitment to adapting its programming in response to viewer preferences and significant events like the Cheltenham Festival will be crucial in maintaining audience engagement. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further changes or potential impacts on other shows within ITV’s daytime lineup.

With Lorraine Kelly’s absence and the restructuring of daytime programming, ITV faces the challenge of retaining its audience while implementing necessary changes. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining how these adjustments resonate with viewers and what the long-term implications will be for ITV’s daytime television landscape.

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Loose Women is not airing today, and the reason for this absence is due to ITV’s coverage of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. This major horse racing event runs from March 10 to March 13, 2026, and has led to a temporary reshuffling of ITV’s daytime programming schedule.

The changes to the schedule are part of a broader adjustment announced by ITV in May 2025, which affects several shows, including Loose Women, Lorraine, and This Morning. As part of these adjustments, Loose Women has been cut to a 30-week seasonal schedule starting in 2026, with episodes now reduced to a 30-minute runtime instead of the previous hour-long format.

Kaye Adams, a prominent host of Loose Women, confirmed the break on March 6, 2026, stating, “There is a reason to get tearful, it’s your last Loose Women for a few weeks.” This statement reflects the sentiment among fans who look forward to the show’s discussions and camaraderie.

Typically, Loose Women airs on weekdays at 12.30pm, providing viewers with a mix of news, views, and discussions on various topics. The show has been a staple of ITV’s daytime programming for many years, contributing to the network’s reputation for delivering engaging content.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television, remarked on the significance of daytime programming, stating, “Daytime has been a core element of ITV’s schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award-winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade.” This highlights ITV’s commitment to evolving its programming while maintaining its core audience.

Loose Women is expected to return in April 2026, allowing fans to look forward to new episodes and the familiar discussions that characterize the show. Kaye Adams reassured viewers by saying, “We will be back next month. Until then, take care, have a fabulous weekend and Easter, and we’ll see you very soon!” This message aims to keep the audience engaged and excited for the show’s return.

As ITV navigates these changes, viewers are left to wonder how the new scheduling will impact the show’s format and its reception among fans. While the immediate future of Loose Women is clear with its return scheduled for next month, the long-term effects of the new programming strategy remain to be seen. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further changes that may arise as ITV continues to adapt its offerings.

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