Channel 4 has announced it’s axing Hollyoaks from its main channel after nearly thirty years on the air.
In a major shake-up to the broadcaster’s schedule, bosses at the network are cutting the show from Channel 4 and moving it over to E4.
And episode of the soap, which first aired in 1995, will now be posted on Youtube to pander to younger audiences.
READ MORE: Hollyoaks Charlie Dean star’s forgotten second role in Channel 4 soap revealed
Bosses have opted to switch up the main channel’s content with a host of new programmes set to debut, casting aside Hollyoaks as a result.
(Image: Handout)
Since 2005, Hollyoaks lovers have been switching to E4 right after episodes aired on Channel 4 to get a sneak peek at the next day’s episode.
Channel 4 are said to be looking for a more digital strategy for the Cheshire-based soap, streaming episodes on All4, the network’s catch-up service.
Fans are being told to prepare for the switch, which is set to take place on September 25th – ahead of a big week for Faye Fuller, played by The Traitors star Maddy Smedley.
(Image: Channel 4)
Some fans were quick to understand the reasoning, adding that the sneak peek proved to be one of the hit shows for the channel.
But others slammed bosses for their “ridiculous” decision, with one fan writing: “I’ll probably miss them, I always watch at 6:30”.
Other shows that have been kicked off the airwaves include The Big Narstie Show, first airing in 2018 and hosted by Big Narstie and Mo Gilligan.
The BAFTA-winning chat show featured interviews and performances from musical guests, but bosses confirmed the show would not be returning this autumn.
Speaking after the announcement, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said that the show was axed due to the “natural evolution” of the channel’s schedule.
(Image: Channel 4)
“We are immensely proud of the five series we have made of this innovative BAFTA-winning show but we have to look carefully at what we commission each year to make sure we continue to innovate and offer viewers a varied range of programming,” they said.
“We look forward to working with Dice, Expectation and Big Narstie on other projects in the future”.
It comes as Channel 4 continues to make some tough cuts in order to reduce costs, as ratings continue to drop and advertising revenue dries up.
Channel 4’s Director of Strategy, Khalid Hayat said that the broadcaster’s main priority is to “preserve shows as much as we can”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
