EXCLUSIVE: Coronation Street boss, Iain MacLeod, says the long running soap has something over Netflix and other streaming platforms that will make them last longer
Coronation Street’s top boss reckons the show’s plots outdo anything on Netflix.
Iain MacLeod thinks streamers can’t compete with soaps when it comes to long-running storylines. He told the Daily Star Sunday: “In a world where there’s content everywhere with YouTube and Netflix to Disney+ and Prime, we’ve tried to zone in on what Corrie can do that they can’t. And that’s the incremental, slow burn stories where you’re really living it with the character. It’s one thing depicting a story in a film where you have 90 minutes. But to do it over 18 months and chart it gradually is so impressive. And that’s what we do.
“There are some very long-running on-demand shows and you live with those characters over a number of years. But it doesn’t touch the familiarity you have with soap characters. No other shows can touch that.”
Iain thinks all the British soaps manage to do long-running plots better than any streaming service.
He added: “All the soaps are great. Hollyoaks is the young upstart compared to Corrie and Emmerdale and EastEnders. But even they’ve got 30 years of history.
“No other format can touch that. As soaps, we have to lean into that and make sure we’re doing the stuff that no one else can do.”
The ITV soap are constantly looking for ways to change. Most recently, show chiefs have announced the soap will be going on tour for An Audience With-style stage show featuring cast members.
It comes following the announcement that three new cast members will be joining the soap. And fan-favourite Helen Flanagan recently said she’d be well up for a return, too.
The line-up includes Jack P Shepherd, Jimmi Harkishin, Samia Longchambon and Simon Gregson. There will also be surprise appearances by Corrie legends, which could include Barbara Knox and Bill Roache.
A spokesperson said: “This is your exclusive chance to get up close and personal with your favourite Corrie stars as they spill behind-the-scenes secrets, share hilarious stories, and relive heart-warming moments from the iconic ITV show.”
Organisers are promising the the tour, which kicks off September 14, will be packed with gossip from behind the scenes on TV’s biggest soap. The spokesperson added: “You’ll enjoy an intimate and lively chat with the cast as they share backstage gossip, funniest on-set moments and personal stories about life in Weatherfield.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
