The soap battle begins this week as Emmerdale clashes with EastEnders in a schedule change

From Monday 7 March, Emmerdale will be moved from its usual 7pm slot to 7.30pm – putting it in direct competition with EastEnders, which is broadcast at the same time on BBC One

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The battle for EastEnders and Emmerdale takes place this week when the new soap schedule goes into effect.

From Monday 7 March, Emmerdale will be moved from its usual 7pm slot to 7.30pm – putting it in direct competition with EastEnders, which is broadcast at the same time on BBC One.

Meanwhile, Coronation Street will be moved to 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for an uninterrupted hour-long episode.

Emmerdale and EastEnders air at the same time four days a week, with the ITV soap airing an hour-long episode on Thursdays.

However, EastEnders will not air on Fridays after adding an extra episode on Wednesdays.

Opening the schedule change, John Whiston, ITV’s Managing Director of Continuing Drama, said: “With Coronation Street bursting at the seams with fantastic story and character, the new format gives the show a brilliant new canvas on which to shine.

“And Emmerdale will do what it does best in this new window of time where viewers can continue to enjoy the drama of the Dales.”

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, added: “The two most popular ongoing dramas in the country, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, are fundamental to the success of ITV and we know that, as with all drama, viewers love them , increasingly see when and how to choose.

“The new scheduling means viewers can watch them live on TV in one continuous soap fix all at once, as well as on the ITV Hub, where they can be seen regularly on the most watched shows each month.”

Some viewers have feared the change could “kill” EastEnders, which is currently in a ratings slump, and are asking BBC bosses to change its time.

This isn’t the first time the soaps have challenged each other by changing their time slots.

Back in 1985 EastEnders tried to take down Emmerdale when it was first started.

*Emmerdale and EastEnders will be broadcast on ITV and BBC One next week at 19:30