Is Coronation Street on Tonight? What You Need to Know About ITV’s Schedule Changes

Understanding Coronation Street’s Current Schedule

For millions of viewers across the United Kingdom, the question ‘Is Coronation Street on tonight?’ has become increasingly relevant as ITV continues to adjust its evening programming. Coronation Street usually airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV, but recent schedule disruptions have left fans checking their TV guides more carefully than ever.

The iconic soap opera, which has been a cornerstone of British television since 1960, faces regular interruptions due to live sports coverage and special events. Understanding these changes is crucial for devoted fans who don’t want to miss the latest drama from Weatherfield’s famous cobbled streets.

Recent Schedule Disruptions

This week has seen significant changes to Coronation Street’s broadcast pattern. Coronation Street is not airing tonight because ITV has cleared its evening schedule for live sport, with coverage of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on December 17, which clashes directly with the soap’s usual 8pm start time. To compensate, the soap aired on ITV on Tuesday between 8pm-9pm to replace the lack of an episode on Wednesday, December 17.

Coronation Street will return with an hour-long episode on Friday, December 19, starting at 8pm and finishing at around 9pm. These adjustments are becoming more common as we approach the festive season, with ITV prioritising live sports and seasonal programming.

What This Means for Viewers

The scheduling changes highlight the evolving nature of traditional television viewing. Tonight’s episode is already available for viewing over on ITVX and YouTube, offering flexibility for those who prefer streaming over linear broadcasting. This early release strategy, with episodes dropping at 7am on broadcast days, helps mitigate frustration from schedule changes.

Looking ahead, even bigger changes are on the horizon. From Tuesday 6 January, Emmerdale moves to 8pm on a permanent basis with Coronation Street following at 8.30pm, with both soaps airing five 30-minute episodes per week in these new fixed timeslots. This major overhaul aims to create a consistent ‘soap power hour’ for viewers.

The Bigger Picture

These schedule adjustments reflect broader changes in how audiences consume television content. While traditional viewers may find the disruptions frustrating, the availability of catch-up services and streaming platforms provides alternative viewing options. As Christmas approaches and live sports continue to dominate prime-time slots, fans should expect further schedule variations and rely on ITVX to stay up-to-date with their favourite Weatherfield residents.