Fans of Emmerdale will be reaching for their remotes tonight only to discover that the beloved Yorkshire Dales drama may not be on television as expected — and there’s a very good reason for it. After a major scheduling shake‑up at ITV, Emmerdale’s broadcast pattern has changed significantly in early 2026, meaning viewers cannot always rely on the show airing “tonight” in its traditional weekday slot.
For decades, Emmerdale has been a staple of British television, following the trials and tribulations of village life and the intertwined stories of families such as the Sugdens, Dingles and Tates. The soap’s popularity has endured through countless storylines — from tragic accidents to dramatic betrayals and emotional reunions — securing its place as one of the UK’s most watched and talked‑about dramas. However, recent changes to ITV’s scheduling policy have altered when, and how often, audiences see new episodes.
Until recently, Emmerdale episodes aired every weekday evening around 7.30pm on ITV, with an extended episode on Thursday nights. But at the start of 2026, ITV introduced what it calls a “soaps power hour” — a new format designed to refresh how Emmerdale and Coronation Street are presented to audiences. Under this new schedule, Emmerdale episodes are broadcast as 30‑minute segments at 8pm on weekdays, followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm each evening. Episodes also drop early on the ITVX streaming platform from around 7am on the day they are due to air.
Crucially, this shift has also brought more frequent interruptions to the linear TV schedule. In recent weeks, Emmerdale has been pulled from the schedule entirely on certain nights to make way for major live sporting events — including EFL Cup football matches and Six Nations rugby coverage that dominate prime‑time viewing. On those nights, Emmerdale does not air on ITV at all, although the episode may still be available online on ITVX.
Tonight’s programming is a clear example of this new reality. ITV has confirmed that both Emmerdale and its sister soap Coronation Street have been removed from the linear schedule this evening, replaced by live coverage of a significant sporting event. This follows similar changes seen earlier in the week, with fans expressing frustration that their favourite dramas have been sidelined.
In practical terms, this means that if you’re wondering “Is Emmerdale on tonight?” the answer could be no on certain days — particularly when other major broadcasts take precedence. Instead, episodes may only be available online via ITVX, where they are released earlier in the day. For viewers who rely solely on traditional TV listings, this can be confusing or disappointing.
ITV has defended the changes by highlighting shifting viewing habits and the popularity of shorter, streaming‑friendly episodes. The “soaps power hour” concept is meant to make the shows easier to watch in a competitive media environment where audiences increasingly tune in digitally. But as many fans have pointed out, frequent pre‑emptions can undercut the consistency that long‑term viewers expect from daily dramas.
What’s next for Emmerdale fans? In the short term, viewers should check local TV guides or ITV’s official listings before settling down to watch. The show’s official ITV page and schedule tools provide up‑to‑date information on whether a new episode will be broadcast on the channel that night or released on ITVX instead. Even when ITV’s linear broadcast is omitted, episodes tend to appear on streaming platforms, so dedicated fans can still keep up with the storylines.
For many viewers, a key consideration is that Emmerdale continues to roll out compelling drama and cliff‑hanger plots, regardless of the platform it appears on. Whether it’s the latest twists involving long‑running families or fresh characters shaking things up in the Dales, the narrative momentum remains strong — and streaming releases ensure that audiences can still stay connected to developments even when the TV broadcast isn’t available.
There’s also the broader trend of UK broadcasters adjusting schedules around major events, particularly since football and rugby draw huge live audiences. ITV’s programming team has emphasised that live sports and flagship dramas must co‑exist, but this sometimes means that regular shows like Emmerdale are rescheduled or pre‑empted when those events occur. That’s now part of the viewing landscape for British soap fans.
So, if you find Emmerdale missing from tonight’s ITV schedule, don’t panic — it’s not the end of the road for the show. Instead, take a look at the ITVX streaming platform where new episodes are often available earlier in the day. Alternatively, set a reminder for the next scheduled broadcast night, as Emmerdale is expected to resume its regular weekday rotation once the current sporting fixtures conclude.
In a media age where streams, live events and broadcasts compete for airtime, traditional soap operas are adapting — but the drama in the Dales remains, no matter where or when viewers choose to watch.