EastEnders to clash with Emmerdale in schedule shake-up as it ditches Friday episodes

EastEnders is set to clash with Emmerdale after it announced a huge schedule shake-up on Monday, which starts next month.

The BBC One soap will no longer be airing on Fridays and instead will be broadcast Monday to Thursday at the new fixed time of 7.30pm.

This isn't the only schedule shake-up as Doctors, which will also air in the afternoon, will be repeated Monday to Thursday at 7pm on BBC Two.

It comes after it was announced that Emmerdale will air at a brand new time of 7.30pm, rather than 7pm, starting in March.

BBC Studios' Head Of Continuing Drama, Kate Oates, said in a statement to press: "We're delighted that, from 7th March, there will be new regular time slots for EastEnders on BBC One, and Doctors on BBC Two.

"Both shows have a loyal following; and this new simplified schedule means it's even easier for viewers to get their fix, as well as being able to watch whenever and wherever they choose on iPlayer.

"A 7pm time slot gives a whole new audience chance to enjoy the drama in Letherbridge, while EastEnders' new 7.30pm slot begins with a hugely exciting week, as killer Gray Atkins is finally exposed…"

The news comes after Emmerdale and Coronation Street announced big changes to their weeknight scheduling amid a huge ITV shake-up.

Following the news that ITV is extending its national and international news programming, Emmerdale and Corrie will both have new slots and become part of the channel’s "super soap" nights.

From March, Emmerdale will air at a brand new time of 7.30pm, rather than 7pm, as viewers count down to the explosive 50th anniversary celebrations.

While soap fans will be able to get their Corrie fix during hour-long episodes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 8pm, instead of two hour-long episodes and a double bill on Fridays.

This means that viewers will now be able to watch their favourite soaps back to back straight after the other.

Announcing the changes, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo said he was excited that Corrie and Emmerdale would be taking centre stage every weeknight.

He said: “The nation’s two most popular continuing dramas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are fundamental to the success of ITV, and we know that, as with all dramas, viewers increasingly watch them whenever, and however they choose.”

Kevin continued: “The new scheduling means that viewers can watch them live on TV in one go in a continuous soap fix, as well as on ITV Hub where they are regularly in the most watched shows every month.”

Going forwards, the much-watched 6.30pm – 7.30pm time slot on ITV will be dedicated to an hour-long national and international news programme at 6.30pm.

The show will be fronted by Mary Nightingale, and the channel has revealed hopes to build on the success of the current 30 minute programme.

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