EastEnders is going to war against Emmerdale as the BBC plans to shake up its TV schedules next month.
From March 7, EastEnders will air four times a week from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm.
There will be no Friday edition now – as instead it will go out on a Wednesday night.
But the shift means Albert Square’s antics will go directly head-to-head for viewers on all those days against rival ITV soap Emmerdale.
The BBC One soap currently averages around 3 million while its ITV rival has been averaging 4.5 million.
BBC continuing drama chief Kate Oates said the soap – which has been running for 37 years – had “a loyal following”.
(Image: BBC / Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
She added to The Mirror: “We’re delighted that, from 7th March, there will be new regular time slots for EastEnders on BBC1.
“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.”
The move comes after ITV recently revealed it would be broadcasting an hour long news show from 6.30pm until 7.30pm in March.
This meant their two soaps Corrie and Emmerdale were on the move.
(Image: ITV)
Emmerdale will go out Monday to Friday at 7.30pm.
And Corrie will air hour long episodes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm until 9pm.
It comes as one TV insider swore the “gloves are now off” when it comes to the war of the soaps, explaining: “There used to be a gentleman’s agreement between the channels to avoid clashes but the gloves are off.”
Of ITV’s latest schedule change, the channel’s continuing drama boss John Whiston said: “The new format gives Coronation Street a brilliant new canvas on which to shine. And Emmerdale will do what it does best in this new time slot.”
Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo said: “As viewing habits rapidly change, live audiences to our national and international news programmes remain remarkably strong.
“Our evening news programme reached an impressive 35.6 million viewers in 2021.
“We are very excited to be announcing this investment in what is an important public service strength of ITV – high-quality, impartial, trusted broadcast journalism – at a time when it could not be more important.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
