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So the new soap schedule is out and ITV have decided to make Emmerdale's on-off Tuesday hour-long episode a permanent fixture. I'm not sure how I feel about it to be honest.
Regular readers will know that I'm not a fan of clashes and now Emmerdale clashing with EastEnders is to become a permanent fixture. So what does this mean for devotees of both? For starters, they'll have to decide which to watch and which to Sky+. Naturally, some will watch one and some the other resulting in a ratings dip for them both.
Taking a step back, though, it might just be a good move for Emmerdale. Reading the forums, it appears fans have already begun to lose a little faith in it and maybe an hour-long, storyline-led episode will help somewhat. Those opposing the move, however, will argue that there'll just be "more of the same". But surely with a new producer coming into play within the next month or so, she'll capitalise on the venture?
ITV's director of television Simon Shaps is quoted as saying that the network has "responded to viewer feedback" on the soaps situation, resulting in the new schedule. I know the forums are only a representation of the soap community as a whole, but from what I've seen, the calls have been for a reduction in the number of episodes, not the number of days on which it airs.
Meanwhile, the decision to move Corrie's Sunday ep to a Friday is warmly welcomed. It'll be a nice start and end to the week and the storylinining won't be dramatically affected, either. The writers will probably be able to pen cliffhanger-ish endings to the week with the new format. I don't know about you, but the Sunday airing always felt like a 'filler' episode.
Only time will tell whether Emmerdale's hour-long episode will be a success. For the sake of the soap, I hope it is.
How do you feel about ITV's new soap schedule? Glad the Sunday eps have moved? Annoyed with the Emmerdale/EastEnders clash? Let me know your thoughts using the 'Click to see and add comments' link below!
Regular readers will know that I'm not a fan of clashes and now Emmerdale clashing with EastEnders is to become a permanent fixture. So what does this mean for devotees of both? For starters, they'll have to decide which to watch and which to Sky+. Naturally, some will watch one and some the other resulting in a ratings dip for them both.
Taking a step back, though, it might just be a good move for Emmerdale. Reading the forums, it appears fans have already begun to lose a little faith in it and maybe an hour-long, storyline-led episode will help somewhat. Those opposing the move, however, will argue that there'll just be "more of the same". But surely with a new producer coming into play within the next month or so, she'll capitalise on the venture?
ITV's director of television Simon Shaps is quoted as saying that the network has "responded to viewer feedback" on the soaps situation, resulting in the new schedule. I know the forums are only a representation of the soap community as a whole, but from what I've seen, the calls have been for a reduction in the number of episodes, not the number of days on which it airs.
Meanwhile, the decision to move Corrie's Sunday ep to a Friday is warmly welcomed. It'll be a nice start and end to the week and the storylinining won't be dramatically affected, either. The writers will probably be able to pen cliffhanger-ish endings to the week with the new format. I don't know about you, but the Sunday airing always felt like a 'filler' episode.
Only time will tell whether Emmerdale's hour-long episode will be a success. For the sake of the soap, I hope it is.
How do you feel about ITV's new soap schedule? Glad the Sunday eps have moved? Annoyed with the Emmerdale/EastEnders clash? Let me know your thoughts using the 'Click to see and add comments' link below!
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Your Views
18 Comments
Your Responses
Aimee, Nottingham, on January 12th, 2008
What do you think weekend daytimes are for and an even better excuse if you have a bad head from the nite before! Just watch the repeats ITV2 on Sat BBC1 Sun take your pick!!
What do you think weekend daytimes are for and an even better excuse if you have a bad head from the nite before! Just watch the repeats ITV2 on Sat BBC1 Sun take your pick!!
Julie, London, on January 6th, 2008
This is stupid. It's unfair for people who like EastEnders and Emmerdale. EastEnders is obviously going to thrash Emmerdale in the ratings most Tuesdays so why bother? I'm quite happy about the Coronation Street Sunday episode because that episode felt like a filler and it means I can relax on a Friday with double Corrie!
This is stupid. It's unfair for people who like EastEnders and Emmerdale. EastEnders is obviously going to thrash Emmerdale in the ratings most Tuesdays so why bother? I'm quite happy about the Coronation Street Sunday episode because that episode felt like a filler and it means I can relax on a Friday with double Corrie!
Ruth, Essex, on January 6th, 2008
I'm with those that have said there are too many episodes. That is also what I have read everywhere on the t'internet and comments from people I know. For me I think it would have been better for Emmerdale to have two 1 hour episodes a week. Corrie to go back to 3 half hour episodes. EastEnders the original two. I don't watch daytime soaps. At the moment I'm behind and getting lost in the ones I do watch as despite there being more and more TV there are still only 24 hours in a day. I'm wondering if I'll be watching any of them by this time next year and how many other people may feel the same and in the end everyone will lose out.
I'm with those that have said there are too many episodes. That is also what I have read everywhere on the t'internet and comments from people I know. For me I think it would have been better for Emmerdale to have two 1 hour episodes a week. Corrie to go back to 3 half hour episodes. EastEnders the original two. I don't watch daytime soaps. At the moment I'm behind and getting lost in the ones I do watch as despite there being more and more TV there are still only 24 hours in a day. I'm wondering if I'll be watching any of them by this time next year and how many other people may feel the same and in the end everyone will lose out.
Neil, Belfast, on January 6th, 2008
I think It's an absolute disgrace. ITV are talking nonsense as per usual, viewers wanted less episodes not more over less nights! As for this silly idea of ITV thinking Emmerdale can thrash EE every Tues is absurd! Emmerdale is on far too much - it's pathetic.
I think It's an absolute disgrace. ITV are talking nonsense as per usual, viewers wanted less episodes not more over less nights! As for this silly idea of ITV thinking Emmerdale can thrash EE every Tues is absurd! Emmerdale is on far too much - it's pathetic.
Alice, Middlesbrough, on January 6th, 2008
I feel sorry for the Emmerdale bunch myself. With the limp storylines they've had since the Halloween fire, EastEnders will get all the viewers. I'm also frustrated because now there's no new soap episodes until Mondays!
I feel sorry for the Emmerdale bunch myself. With the limp storylines they've had since the Halloween fire, EastEnders will get all the viewers. I'm also frustrated because now there's no new soap episodes until Mondays!
Jamie, Westcountry, on January 5th, 2008
So have ITV not learned anything from being thrashed by EastEnders constantly? They must know that their BBC rival is on the up, so why permanently battle one of it's soaps against it? I have to say I find Emmerdale extremely boring and I will always choose EastEnders over it, regardless of the storyline, so it doesn't really affect me. But I used to be a huge fan of Emmerdale and would hate for it to suffer. Look at Christmas Day ratings. Emmerdale barely got 6 million, EastEnders was double and a half of that! Is that dreaded axe about to be dropped on Emmerdale? The state of the show at the moment, I do hope so.
So have ITV not learned anything from being thrashed by EastEnders constantly? They must know that their BBC rival is on the up, so why permanently battle one of it's soaps against it? I have to say I find Emmerdale extremely boring and I will always choose EastEnders over it, regardless of the storyline, so it doesn't really affect me. But I used to be a huge fan of Emmerdale and would hate for it to suffer. Look at Christmas Day ratings. Emmerdale barely got 6 million, EastEnders was double and a half of that! Is that dreaded axe about to be dropped on Emmerdale? The state of the show at the moment, I do hope so.
Ian, St Helens, on January 5th, 2008
I think it worth it because Coronation Street is still best for me and I don't watch Emmerdale or EastEnders. On the other hand, ITV have decided to put the omnibus back on ITV1 instead of ITV2 so if you miss it you can watch it on a Saturday.
I think it worth it because Coronation Street is still best for me and I don't watch Emmerdale or EastEnders. On the other hand, ITV have decided to put the omnibus back on ITV1 instead of ITV2 so if you miss it you can watch it on a Saturday.
Richard, Durham, on January 4th, 2008
It's a load of crap. Far too much soap output on prime time ITV1. I might go to Ofcom. It's not offering a public service which is what it is supposed to be doing.
It's a load of crap. Far too much soap output on prime time ITV1. I might go to Ofcom. It's not offering a public service which is what it is supposed to be doing.
Jamie, Liverpool, on January 3rd, 2008
This move made my mind up. I'm an Ex-Emmerdale viewer. I was thinking about giving up anyway as I need a life! No way will I commit to this much soap during the week. No way.
This move made my mind up. I'm an Ex-Emmerdale viewer. I was thinking about giving up anyway as I need a life! No way will I commit to this much soap during the week. No way.
Allan, London, on January 3rd, 2008
This household is, and will remain, Emmerdale-free! Even were we to watch it the excellent BBC I-Player provides the means to watch BBC when we choose up to 7 days after transmission, so no problem with clashes. I'm really sad though that the commercial schedulers can't provide anything beyond established soaps to fill prime time!
This household is, and will remain, Emmerdale-free! Even were we to watch it the excellent BBC I-Player provides the means to watch BBC when we choose up to 7 days after transmission, so no problem with clashes. I'm really sad though that the commercial schedulers can't provide anything beyond established soaps to fill prime time!
Miss AP Miller, Devon, on January 3rd, 2008
At least the one hour episodes of Emmerdale which will be shown on Tuesdays will compensate for the axing of the Sunday episodes. It doesn't bother me that I have to miss Eastenders which is shown at 7.30pm because I can always watch the repeat on Freeview at 10pm. And because Coronation Street has also been axed on Sundays an extra episode will be shown on Fridays to make up for it. I hope these changes will be a success.
At least the one hour episodes of Emmerdale which will be shown on Tuesdays will compensate for the axing of the Sunday episodes. It doesn't bother me that I have to miss Eastenders which is shown at 7.30pm because I can always watch the repeat on Freeview at 10pm. And because Coronation Street has also been axed on Sundays an extra episode will be shown on Fridays to make up for it. I hope these changes will be a success.
Michael, Fort William, on January 3rd, 2008
I don't like the idea of putting Sunday's on Friday because it clashes with River City on Scottish TV...
I don't like the idea of putting Sunday's on Friday because it clashes with River City on Scottish TV...
Donna, on January 3rd, 2008
I'm not that bothered about Corrie even though that much during one week is pure laziness. My concern is Emmerdale being on for an hour each Tuesday. I fail to see how this can help Emmerdale in any way. It's at he expense of both EE and Emmerdale itself. Once EE has a big storyline, Emmerdale is in the shit on that night. I just think it's terrible.
I'm not that bothered about Corrie even though that much during one week is pure laziness. My concern is Emmerdale being on for an hour each Tuesday. I fail to see how this can help Emmerdale in any way. It's at he expense of both EE and Emmerdale itself. Once EE has a big storyline, Emmerdale is in the shit on that night. I just think it's terrible.
David, Manchester, on January 3rd, 2008
Overall, I think it's a disappointing move. You make good points about Coronation Street - the weeknight format works well for EastEnders, with there being a clear beginning and end whereas with Corrie we never really had. Now we do, with no episode at the weekend, so it could be better structure in terms of storylining.
However, instead of dropping the episode altogether (which they should have done, because quality would improve with less episodes) they've decided to move it to Friday. Not only does this not solve the quality issue, it also pumps more soap into the weeknight schedule leaving very little choice for other viewers.
Similarly, Emmerdale should now be dropping an episode but instead ITV are stubbornly shunting it into the weeknight schedule and at the same time, creating hell for fans of both Emmerdale and EastEnders. It's not a good move. We'll see how it pans out anyway - it'll be interesting to see whether this sticks or whether more changes are implemented once we see the effect it has on the ratings.
Overall, I think it's a disappointing move. You make good points about Coronation Street - the weeknight format works well for EastEnders, with there being a clear beginning and end whereas with Corrie we never really had. Now we do, with no episode at the weekend, so it could be better structure in terms of storylining.
However, instead of dropping the episode altogether (which they should have done, because quality would improve with less episodes) they've decided to move it to Friday. Not only does this not solve the quality issue, it also pumps more soap into the weeknight schedule leaving very little choice for other viewers.
Similarly, Emmerdale should now be dropping an episode but instead ITV are stubbornly shunting it into the weeknight schedule and at the same time, creating hell for fans of both Emmerdale and EastEnders. It's not a good move. We'll see how it pans out anyway - it'll be interesting to see whether this sticks or whether more changes are implemented once we see the effect it has on the ratings.
James, on January 2nd, 2008
I think its a sad day for both ITV soaps and even EastEnders. ITV is a terrible network that DOES NOT care about its viewers. I hope karma comes around and Emmerdale flops big time as a result. That way ITV might get the wake up call it finally needs.
I think its a sad day for both ITV soaps and even EastEnders. ITV is a terrible network that DOES NOT care about its viewers. I hope karma comes around and Emmerdale flops big time as a result. That way ITV might get the wake up call it finally needs.
Brekkie, Wales, on January 2nd, 2008
I'm quite cynical about this really as after Dancing on Ice I can't really see how they're going to fill the Sunday slot for the rest of the year. Britain's Got Talent perhaps for a few weeks - but I don't see The X Factor moving, certainly not the live shows. My main concern is they'll sneak in an extra Corrie by restoring the Sunday soap hour, but not axing the extra Friday edition. And it's an extra hour of soaps on weeknights - meaning little variety in the schedules from Monday to Friday. I'd have preferred them stripped across the week at 7pm/7.30pm so at least the 8pm hour on ITV1 would remain soap free. Wouldn't surprise me though if EastEnders begins to air on Sundays - or if Casualty or Holby moves either.
I'm quite cynical about this really as after Dancing on Ice I can't really see how they're going to fill the Sunday slot for the rest of the year. Britain's Got Talent perhaps for a few weeks - but I don't see The X Factor moving, certainly not the live shows. My main concern is they'll sneak in an extra Corrie by restoring the Sunday soap hour, but not axing the extra Friday edition. And it's an extra hour of soaps on weeknights - meaning little variety in the schedules from Monday to Friday. I'd have preferred them stripped across the week at 7pm/7.30pm so at least the 8pm hour on ITV1 would remain soap free. Wouldn't surprise me though if EastEnders begins to air on Sundays - or if Casualty or Holby moves either.
Emily (Corrie Fan), West Yorkshire , on January 2nd, 2008
I am so so pleased about this. I always look forward to the special hour-long eps and now it is actually staying. I am so pleased. For me, I'd rather watch Emmerdale, then EE on repeat later. I prefer Emmerdale any day!
I am so so pleased about this. I always look forward to the special hour-long eps and now it is actually staying. I am so pleased. For me, I'd rather watch Emmerdale, then EE on repeat later. I prefer Emmerdale any day!
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I have always liked EE over Emmerdale but I think that Emmerdale is getting worse and have stopped watching it. Putting them both on on the same night is murder for Emmerdale. EE will always win over it and the bosses at ITV need to realise that. As for the double Friday episode I think in a way its good but now there is nothing to watch on a Sunday.