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Coronation Street and Emmerdale cast cut fears addressed as union raises concerns

ITV’s plans for cutbacks to Coronation Street and Emmerdale have sparked a statement from Equity, the performing arts and entertainment union.

The long-running shows will both reduce their output next year as ITV plans to streamline its approach with a “soap power hour”.

From January 2026, Emmerdale will air every weeknight at 8pm for 30 minutes. Corrie will also screen on weeknights at 8.30pm for 30 minutes.

This is a weekly reduction of 30 minutes for each soap and has sparked fears of job cuts for the teams working on the shows.

kevin webster, debbie webster, coronation street

ITV

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon (February 4), Equity revealed reassurances from ITV that the changes won’t directly impact regular cast members.

However, the union went on to highlight “the reduction in acting opportunities for supporting and guest artists and the continuing squeeze on acting roles for professionals in the UK regions”.

Natalie Barker, Equity TV Official, commented: “The last 18 months has been a difficult time for UK continuing drama with the cancellation of Doctors and cuts to Hollyoaks.

“ITV’s announcement today of cuts to episode numbers on Coronation Street and Emmerdale is further cause for concern.

sam dingle, lydia dingle, emmerdale

ITV

“ITV have assured us that the reduction from six to five episodes per week on each soap from 2026 will not directly impact the cast or result in changes to pay or contracts.

“Equity is in contact with the casts and engaging with ITV to ensure that any potential negative impacts of these changes are minimal.”

Barker added: “We do know that fewer episodes will mean fewer opportunities for work for our members engaged as guest and supporting artists on these productions.

“This is a significant loss for our members in the North East and North West regions and continues the ongoing trend of fewer opportunities for screen work, especially in the regions and for early career actors.

nick tilsley, audrey roberts, david platt, shona platt, gail rodwell, jesse, coronation street

ITV

“This month sees the launch of Equity’s new committee for Deputies in Continuing Drama where our members across the soaps will be coming together for the first time.

“We will work collectively to defend continuing drama and campaign for commitments from the broadcasters to secure the long-term future of these programmes, which are so crucial to the health of UK production.”

The behind-the-scenes teams working on Coronation Street and Emmerdale are believed to be entering into a consultation process to discuss how the changes will affect job numbers.

One report in The Mirror has suggested that 75 roles could be at risk out of the 600 people who are employed across both soaps.

cain dingle, moira dingle, emmerdale

ITV

A spokesperson for ITV responded to this report by telling the publication: “We can’t say for sure at this stage as we will be entering into a consultation process with staff. Our aim is to achieve as many as we can through voluntary redundancy and filling vacancies.”

Digital Spy has reached out to ITV for further comment.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, also said today: “This new commissioning pattern will mean five hours of soaps a week, rather than the current six. We are conscious this will have an impact for the people who work on the soaps team. We will support our colleagues in ITV Studios as they work through these changes, and will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.”

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

Written by Vijesh

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