EastEnders to clash with Emmerdale every night as BBC fights back against ITV schedule changes

EASTENDERS and Emmerdale will go head-to-head after a scheduling shake-up that will see the BBC soap dropped from Fridays.

It is bringing in a "simplified schedule" that will see it air at 7.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

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The move - which starts from March 7 - will see it go head to head with ITV's Emmerdale.

The countryside soap is moving to a 7.30pm slot as part of ITV's own soap shake-up.

It will see hour-long episodes of Coronation Street on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm.

EastEnders said the new schedules would kick off with what it called a "hugely exciting" week of plots that will include killer Gray Atkins finally being exposed.

The move of time was greeted by many viewers, though one asked, referring to Emmerdale's ongoing storyline involving Meena Jutla: "How am I supposed to choose between you and Meenadale?"

Another tweeted: "You’re taking a risk clashing with Emmerdale, but I like it! The Wednesday episode will take getting used too 🤣 .

🔵 Read our soap spoilers live blog for the latest gossip 

"Still, excited to see Gray finally exposed that week. And I like that all episodes are the same time, no more getting confused!"

Broadcasters used to go to great lengths to avoid their soaps clashing, but it is thought to be far less of an issue in the era of on-demand TV.

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Kate Oates, BBC’s head of continuing drama, said: “We’re delighted that, from March 7, there will be new regular time slots for EastEnders.

“This new simplified schedule means it’s even easier for viewers to get their fix, as well as being able to watch whenever and wherever they choose on @bbciplayer.

“EastEnders‘ new 7.30pm slot begins with a hugely exciting week, as killer Gray Atkins is finally exposed.”

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