ITV announced today that the world's longest-running soap Coronation Street will be broadcast six times a week from next year
Coronation Street will expand from five to six episodes per week from late in 2017, according to ITV.
ITV’s Director of Television, Kevin Lygo, said: "I am a life-long fan of Coronation Street and one of the first things I wanted to explore when I became Director of Television was taking the production to six episodes a week.
“The soaps are the cornerstone of the ITV schedule, and Coronation Street continues to produce some of the finest drama and comedy on television. It is a hugely important part of what has defined ITV throughout its history, and I want it to continue to be right at the heart of what ITV defines in years to come.
“As a viewer I have watched the soap as it has continued to evolve, entertain, and grip the nation with fantastic storylines and this move will be the next exciting chapter in Corrie's story."
The new schedule was only outlined to writers, cast and crew today.
ITV says it will create employment opportunities, while the current set will be extended to enable the expansion in production, and create additional studio space on the 7.7-acre site in Trafford, Manchester.
ITV Studios Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, John Whiston, said: “Coronation Street’s new producer Kate Oates, modern filming and editing facilities at the programme’s Production Centre and our fantastic, peerless drama teams will help turn this great idea into reality."
ITV has not announced when the sixth episode of Coronation Street will be scheduled each week.
