When Is Corriedale On? Everything You Need to Know About the Historic Soap Crossover

Historic Television Event Set for January 2026

British soap fans can mark their calendars for Monday, 5 January 2026 at 8pm, when Corriedale, a groundbreaking crossover episode featuring both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, will see the two iconic soaps collide for the first time. The hour-long special is described as a “celebration of the genre” and represents a major milestone in UK television history. Unlike standard episodes, Corriedale won’t stream early on ITVX or YouTube, making the live broadcast a must-watch event for millions of viewers.

A Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up Brings Two Worlds Together

A multi-vehicle pile-up on a dark and stormy country road near the village of Hotten lies at the centre of the drama. Forty-one characters from both shows will feature in the episode, including fan favourites David Platt, Tracy Barlow, Aaron Dingle, and Lisa Swain. The explosive trailer reveals vehicles on fire and characters desperately calling for help as emergency services rush to the scene. The aftermath gives rise to fear, murderous intent, death, destruction, closely-guarded secrets, and lies, with life in Emmerdale and Weatherfield never being the same again.

Launching ITV’s New Soap Power Hour

The Corriedale episode will launch ITV’s revamped ‘soap power hour’, with Emmerdale moving to 8pm followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm every weeknight from Tuesday 6 January. This scheduling shake-up was announced in February after internal research showed that viewers preferred “digestible” 30-minute episodes rather than hour-long ones. On the night of the crossover, regular half-hour episodes of both soaps will air beforehand, with Emmerdale at 7pm and Coronation Street at 7.30pm.

What This Means for Soap Viewers

Corriedale represents more than just an exciting crossover event. It signals ITV’s commitment to adapting its programming to modern viewing habits whilst celebrating the enduring appeal of British soap operas. The crossover was announced in May 2025 to mark the soaps’ new scheduling pattern coming into force in January 2026. With dramatic plot twists promised and beloved characters in jeopardy, this historic episode is set to captivate audiences and reshape the landscape of both long-running series. Whether you’re a devoted Coronation Street fan, an Emmerdale enthusiast, or simply curious about this unprecedented television event, 5 January 2026 is the date to remember.