Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been pulling in record viewers after making one recent change to compliment their recent hard-hitting storylines.
The change took place in October, when the long-running shows became available to view on ITVX from 7am on their day of broadcast.
This meant that soap fans could either chose to tune in early or watch their favourite soaps at a time that better suits them.
The decision to make the change came after BBC soap East Enders made a similar switch to iPlayer a few years ago.
Following the change, both Corrie and Emmerdale have enjoyed a record 124 million streams in 2025’s first quarter.
This meant that there have been an impressive one billion streams on ITVX so far this year.
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Coronation Street and Emmerdale have been pulling in record viewers after making one recent change to compliment their recent hard-hitting storylines
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To put the change into context, compared to this time last year, soap viewing has increased by 35 percent.
However, there is no doubt that brilliant storylines have also influenced the increased number of people tuning into some of Britain’s best-loved soaps.
Recent notable storylines include Emmerdale’s limo crash, which saw three major characters brutally killed off – Suzy, Leyla and Amy.
ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo said: ‘We have totally transformed our streaming offer with ITVX over the past couple of years.
‘All our teams internally, alongside the best producers in the business, have helped deliver these brilliant numbers, by producing, promoting and delivering this fantastic content to audiences to stream.’
Speaking of hard-hitting storylines, Corrie veteran Sue Devaney, 57, opened up about her reaction to Debbie Webster’s moving exit storyline that sees the beloved character diagnosed with early onset dementia.
The much-loved character has already begun exhibiting signs of the illness on the show.
She told The Mirror: ‘I was a little bit frightened. It was a lot of information to process, because it’s not like a drama series where you might be doing it for six weeks.’
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Recent notable storylines include Emmerdale’s limo crash, which saw three major characters brutally killed off – Suzy, Leyla and Amy
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View gallery
Sue Devaney opened up about her reaction to Debbie Webster’s moving exit storyline that sees the beloved character diagnosed with early onset dementia
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Sue explained that the storyline will take years to play out, so she had to give it careful consideration.
As Corrie fans will know, Debbie has already been exhibiting signs of dementia on the show.
But in the end, Sue decided to go for the storyline as she understood the importance of the topic and wanted to help others in a similar situation feel less alone.
The actress also has personal experience with the illness as her father-in-law has been battling Alzheimer’s for several years now.
A source told the Metro: ‘It’s a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight.
‘It will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.’
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