Soapland was rocked with a real-life bombshell this week, as ITV announced that Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be cutting episodes permanently next year. The long-running shows currently air six episodes per week, but will be shifting to five weekly episodes each from January 2026.

Former Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson has made a shock prediction about the future of Britain's most beloved soaps, saying he would be "surprised" if they survive another decade. The veteran actor's comments come as ITV announced major cuts to its soap schedule.

ITV has confirmed that from January 2026, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will move to a new scheduling pattern and will now lose one episode weekly.

ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year. Coronation Street currently airs for three hour-long episodes a week, while Emmerdale is four 30-minute episodes plus one hour-long instalment.

Up to 75 positions across Coronation Street and Emmerdale could be cut ahead of cost-cutting measures on the ITV soaps. The two flagship soaps will move to a new broadcast pattern from January 2026, both reducing their episode count from six to five.