ITV has announced a major shakeup to how fans can watch Emmerdale and Coronation Street – and it’s effective immediately.
For decades diehard soap fans have had to tune in to each show’s respective time slot in the evening for their latest fix.
However, in a bid to rival the BBC and EastEnders, channel bosses last year started dropping each new episode of Emmerdale and Corrie on ITVX the morning before their linear broadcast that evening.
Now, in a further shakeup, fans of both the Yorkshire Dales and Weatherfield cobbles will be able to stream the latest episode on YouTube.
The changes come into effect from Monday, June 30, meaning both tonight’s Emmerdale and Coronation Street episodes are available now on the video platform.
Announcing the move last night, a spokesperson for both soaps told fans on social media: ‘Soap fans, rejoice!
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ITV has announced a major shakeup to how fans can watch Emmerdale and Coronation Street – and it’s started today
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For decades diehard soap fans have had to tune in to each show’s respective time slot in the evening for their latest fix
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View gallery
Now, in a further shakeup, fans of both the Yorkshire Dales and Weatherfield will be able to stream the latest episode on YouTube
7.2k viewing now
‘Starting tomorrow, full episodes will be available on YouTube from 7am – the same day they air on TV!’
Fans welcomed the move, including international viewers who have previously struggled tuning into the ITV soaps.
One fan said: ‘Awesome! US fans can enjoy!’
A second commented: ‘This is awesome news! Yayyy!’
‘Hopefully they stay on there going forward as I cant use your awful app,’ said a third disgruntled viewer.
The move comes after it was revealed earlier this year how ITV bosses are slashing their soaps’ episode count.
Emmerdale currently airs six episodes weekly, Monday to Friday with a double bill on Thursdays.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street also airs six episodes per week, with two episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The move comes after it was revealed earlier this year how ITV bosses are slashing their soaps’ episode count
Next year, only five 30-minute episodes of each show will air – a real terms cut to soap broadcast time of 17%.
Bosses will introduce a soaps power hour from Monday to Friday with 30-minute Emmerdale episodes airing at 8pm and 30-minute Coronation Street episodes airing at 8:30pm.
However, the start of the new 2026 schedule will at least be marked in style, as both soaps embark on an ambitious, never-before-seen stunt as part of a week of special episodes.
Defending the changes, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo said: ‘The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led.
‘We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way.’
‘In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.’
Over on the BBC, fans can watch new episodes of EastEnders from 6am on iPlayer before they’re broadcast that evening on BBC One.
