Why isn't Emmerdale on tonight? The reason revealed

Why isn't Emmerdale on tonight? Soap fans are wondering why the programme is missing from the usual Tuesday night ITV scheduling.

Emmerdale, the long-standing Yorkshire-based soap which had its own set tour (opens in new tab), usually airs Monday to Friday, while a double bill is usually scheduled on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

But frequent last minute changes to the schedule over the last 12 months has seen soap fans wonder when they are going to be on.

But tonight new episode has been cancelled along with EastEnders (opens in new tab) and fans are wondering what's happened to their favourite shows...

Why isn't Emmerdale on tonight?

ITV is not broadcasting a new episode of Emmerdale tonight because the channel is showing the FA Cup match between Peterborough United and Manchester City. Coverage of the football match begins at 6.45pm with the game kicking off at 7.15pm.

As a result the soap has been rescheduled. 

In the past viewers have been frustrated at not being able to watch their favourite soaps at their regular times while sporting events are on and last year during the Euros 2020. ITV bosses decided to move the scheduling around so that fans could watch Emmerdale and Coronation Street at different times, leaving people wondering 'why isn't Coronation Street on tonight? (opens in new tab)' once again.

When is Emmerdale back on TV?

There will be a half-hour episode of Emmerdale on Wednesday 2nd March at 7pm ahead of another football match and again on Thursday 3rd March at 7pm for half-an-hour before another game. But fans will be delighted to know that Friday's episode will be a double, two back to back episodes starting at 7pm until 8pm on March 4th.

It comes just days before a major permanent shake up to the soap schedules comes into force, with Emmerdale set to be aired 30 minutes later than its usual run time.

From March 7th the ITV news will be extended for an extra half an hour, meaning ITV will air Emmerdale at 7.30pm each day, and Corrie will be shown for an hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm.

Announcing the changes, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo said, "As viewing habits rapidly change, live audiences to our national and international news programmes remain remarkably strong.

"The nation’s two most popular continuing dramas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are fundamental to the success of ITV, and we know that, as with all dramas, viewers increasingly watch them whenever, and however they choose."

Emmerdale airs on ITV from 7.30pm starting March 7th 2022 and you can now book on the Emmerdale tour (opens in new tab) to visit the set.