ITV has revealed a huge change to the way you can watch your favourite soaps in the wake of episode cuts at Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
From next year, the broadcaster will air just 5 editions of each serial drama a week – following on from a much-anticipated crossover episode that will herald in a new era with an ambitious stunt.
Dubbed the soap ‘power hour’, Emmerdale will air at 8pm, with Corrie following at 8.30pm, from Monday to Friday.
Episodes will continue to drop early on ITVX, but as of today, you’ll also be able to tune in on YouTube.
On social media, a statement said: ‘Soap fans, rejoice!’
‘Starting tomorrow, full episodes will be available on YouTube from 7am — the same day they air on TV.’
The decision comes following a new partnership between the network and the OG video streaming service which was announced in December. The latest episodes of their biggest shows will now drop for free on the website.
This includes items from across their catalogue, including I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, Bullseye and This Morning. In April, the Celebrity Big Brother live feed was hosted on the platform.
ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment Kevin Lygo said at the time: ‘This partnership is part of our continuing strategic approach to maximise reach and viewing opportunities for audiences, wherever they choose to watch, alongside the successful and thriving ITVX, and our market leading commercial TV channels.’
YouTube’s managing director Alison Lomax added: ‘Through full episodes, clips, compilations and brand-new fan content, audiences will be able to forge even deeper connections with the shows they love.’
Corrie and Emmerdale are following in Hollyoaks’ footsteps, as the Channel 4 soap began uploading full episodes last year as part of their new digital-first strategy.
Archive episodes of Neighbours are also being added from the very beginning, following the news that the show will be rested once again after 40 years on air.
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