Emmerdale will not air at 8pm tonight, here’s why and when it’s back
The Emmerdale schedule is all over the place again this week as football causes disruption, but we’ve got you covered – here’s whether it’s on tonight (Thursday June 18).
ITV has been making regular changes to its soap line-up thanks to sport and special programming, and June is proving no different. If you’re wondering when Emmerdale is back on screen and whether you’ll be able to watch it on ITVX, here’s everything you need to know.
Is Emmerdale on tonight and can you watch it on ITVX?
On Thursday, June 18, Emmerdale will not air on ITV. Coronation Street, which usually follows at 8.30pm, will also be off air.
Viewers who usually find Emmerdale and Coronation Street on ITVX or YouTube at 7am every morning will also be disappointed. The soaps are not streaming early as there are no episodes tonight.
Of course, it’s because of the World Cup. Tonight Switzerland take on Bosnia and Herzegovina and ITV is screening the match live from 7pm. It is immediately followed by Qatar vs Canada which has a kick-off of 11pm.
The soaps will be back on tomorrow (Friday June 19) for half-hour installments with Emmerdale as usual at 8pm and Corrie afterwards at 8.30pm.
With football, rugby and other live events continuing to dominate parts of the ITV schedule, soap fans have become increasingly used to checking transmission times. Some viewers have even suggested ITV should move the soap power hour earlier in the evening to reduce the number of clashes.
What happens in Emmerdale’s last episode of the week?
Cain made a big mistake last night when Moira found out about his pass at Charity. Instead of apologising to his wife, Cain just played the sympathy card and Moira stormed off. Can they work it out? Or has Cain really blown it this time?
Elsewhere, Vinny surprises Lewis with a holiday to Madeira. However Lewis can’t cope with how spontaneous it all is, so decides not to go. He urges Vinny not to miss out, but is deeply disappointed.
Ross talks to his brother and encourages him to embrace the impulsivity of it. Lewis changes his mind. He packs and rushes to meet a taxi to the airport.
But then a van pulls up and men in balaclavas grab Lewis, throwing him inside. Who has kidnapped him – and why?
ITV’s soap power hour remains popular
ITV launched its new soap ‘power hour’ in January 2026. It keeps Emmerdale on air five nights a week while continuing the 7am ITVX releases.
The soap also moved to its current 8pm slot, while the former Thursday double bill was reduced to a single half-hour episode to allow for extra Coronation Street content.
The shorter format has proved popular with many viewers. It offers quicker-paced episodes that are easier to fit into busy evenings.
One thing the schedule overhaul hasn’t solved, however, is the ongoing disruption caused by major sporting events. So for now, like tonight, Emmerdale fans may still need to keep one eye on the TV guide before settling down for a night in the Dales.
