Soap fans were livid there were no episodes of Corrie or Emmerdale on ITV last night
Plenty of soap fans were left seething after there were no episodes of Coronation Street or Emmerdale aired last night due to the World Cup coverage.
With England taking on Tunisia in their group stage opener, ITV1 altered their entire evening of programming despite not actually showing the football.
That was left to Gary Lineker and the BBC to showcase the match, as ITV deemed the competition too great – and not wanting soap fans to choose between the national team and their favourite soap – decided to rejig their lineup and show a re-run of Vera instead.
But fans were left fuming that their soaps were not showing despite there being no football on the channel.
Corrie even announced that they were offering hour-long episodes later in the week, reassuring fans that they weren’t being forgotten.
‘Simon Gregson wants to tell you about changes to the Coronation Street schedule! This week we’re on: Tues 19th June, 8pm (1 hr) Thurs 21st June, 8pm (1 hr) Fri 22nd June, 8pm (1 hr),’ the tweet read.
Simon Gregson wants to tell you about changes to the Coronation Street schedule! This week we're on:
Tues 19th June, 8pm (1 hr)
Thurs 21st June, 8pm (1 hr)
Fri 22nd June, 8pm (1 hr)Don't worry if you miss us, catch up on @ITVHub: https://t.co/Ux7u8opW66 #Corrie #WorldCup @ITV pic.twitter.com/tE6l3nX2wM
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) June 18, 2018
But people simply weren’t happy. Some, in fact, were absolutely livid, unamused that ‘a repeat of F*****G VERA!!’ was on instead…
Are you kidding me! Theres no #Football on @ITV tonight we are missing #Corrie and #Emmerdale for repeat of F******G VERA!! So angry right now 😡😠😡😠 #Fuming good job weve still got @Hollyoaks
— Zoee Sharland (@Zoeebabii369x) June 18, 2018
Football rubbish has once again taking over ITV. Why can’t it be shown on a unknown channel 😢. I’ll never miss an episode, and I can definitely say I won’t be watching any football.
— Paula Stone (@Pazzie37) June 18, 2018
No Coronation Street tonight because of the World Cup. Not a happy bunny.#Corrie 😡
— Janey (@Yorvik187) June 18, 2018
Why no #corrie or #Emmerdale tonight?? Just an old Vera on instead. What’s that about??
— Charlene Jones (@charleyjones33) June 18, 2018
Ye can shove yere football up my backside. Why like, what is the football sure, a few fellas kicking a ball around in a stadium to win a trophy and get it held in their country. World Cup, find somewhere else to go because some of us want to actually watch the soaps. Its terrible
— Dylan Carroll (@Dylan50100) June 19, 2018
This is out of order. Out of order I tell you. Out. Of. Order! 😤 pic.twitter.com/7Qy8FF9aIu
— Lyndsey (@GiggleLyndsey) June 18, 2018
Fans did make the point that the football wasn’t even on ITV that night but it seems the decision to change things up was thoroughly thought out by the channel in question.
Could understand this if the game was on @ITV obviously viewer loyalty means nothing if rating figures are in jeopardy. Get a grip and consider fans- you too @emmerdale
— Amanda Charles (@AmandaC41733936) June 18, 2018
Seriously #nocorrie …. or #emmerdale not everyone is a footie fan and it's on BBC anyway so why the change on itv? When it was the 6 nations and #EnglandRugby were playing did you change your viewing time table. Thank you #SimonGregson for your explanation though.
— Mandy Dawson (@MandyRobertshaw) June 18, 2018
With Corrie having three hour-long episodes this week, Emmerdale is doing the same, airing for the hour beforehand.
And it turns out ITV probably made the right call, as the BBC had a huge 21 million viewers that tuned in for the game.
‘OOOFT! Over 21 million of you watched the @BBCSport coverage of England v Tunisia. 18.3m peak on your televisions and more than 3m on @BBCiPlayer. Bloody Nora,’ the presenter said.
OOOFT! Over 21 million of you watched the @BBCSport coverage of England v Tunisia. 18.3m peak on your televisions and more than 3m on @BBCiPlayer. Bloody Nora.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 19, 2018
The World Cup continues on both the BBC and ITV until 15 July.
Catch Emmerdale tonight at 7pm and Coronation Street from 8pm, on ITV1.
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