Coronation Street and Emmerdale are set to have a huge schedule change - and now fans are convinced it will "kill off EastEnders ".
The ITV soaps are moving their times to allow for an extra half an hour of the news, with Emmerdale now airing each day at 7.30pm, rather than its original 7pm, whilst Corrie will now be three one hour episodes at 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
It means that the episodes will constantly clash with EastEnders, which airs several times a week. On a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it would mean that if EastEnders aired between 7.30pm and 9pm, it would clash with either of the soaps.
Fans took to social media to express their concern for the BBC One soap.
One wrote: "Bit of a bummer for #EastEnders this. It'll clash with either #Corrie or #Emmerdale constantly. I don't watch any of them live anyway but there's bound to be some people who like to watch all of them live and will now have to choose."
"As for BBC, not many options. If they keep EastEnders as is, it's going to clash with an ITV soap every night and EE will be the bigger loser," a second added, as a third wrote: "not itv changing the slots for emmerdale and corrie to clash with eastenders."
A third shared: "Can't say I'm too impressed with #Emmerdale & #Corrie moving to different time slots in March.
"Yes be in in a block without half hour gaps is better, but it's now going to clash with #EastEnders & my tv box mucks up with recordings! plus il have nothing to watch with my tea at 7pm."
"More than ever, soaps rely on consistency and routine. Clashing every single episode is still a big deal. #EastEnders," a fourth shared.
Others offered their advice to the BBC One soap.
" @bbceastenders I strongly recommend you move the show to 7:00pm after the @BBCWorld so people can watch the BBC news & that will lead people into #Eastenders before Emmerdale or Corrie so you don’t clash with the rival soaps," one fan suggested.
The changes were confirmed by ITV yesterday, who are also extending their international and national news. It will now air for an hour at 6.30pm after half an hour of news from its regional hubs.
