Emmerdale can easily be moved to ITV2, ITV3 or 4, there is no need to take it off all together

After hearing that Emmerdale is postponed for tonight because of football – I feel that my night is now ruined and I think a rant is necessary about why football should not interrupt the soap schedule.

Emmerdale is the one constant thing in many people’s lives and when it is not on – without being told why or if you are not a football fan and don’t follow the games – it can ruin your night as you then have to search to find what else is on TV.

I truly believe that no soap should be taken off as it not only ruins your own schedule, but it becomes more confusing for fans who have to recall what has happened in the previous episode to fully understand the upcoming episode the next day. This could cause frustration and maybe cost ITV viewing figures as fans could forget to catch up on ITV X or don’t have time, so they don’t watch the next episode and therefore lose interest in watching all together.

Although, the major national and international football fixtures only occur every few months, it just annoys me and many others how we have to sacrifice what we want to watch without any choice in the matter. Especially, when there are games almost every night during the summer for the World Cup or the Euro Cup.

I think that there should some compromise, so that it can be both on TV which will keep viewers happy but also be more profitable for ITV by having twice the viewing figures of soap fans and football fans. Emmerdale and Coronation Street can easily be moved to ITV2, ITV3 or 4, so there is no need to take it off all together.

It feels like those who do not like football need to be controlled and told to watch something else or go out or find something to occupy our time, there is no other option if you do not want to watch it. It does not mean that we are not England supporters, if a National or abroad game is on, but there are only so many times the team can let you down by losing a game in a major competition/ league, therefore keeping to soaps feels safer.

For those who argue that it can only be seen live and not on repeat, do not really have an argument as it can be on demand on many of the channels even at the weekend, just like a soap drama.

Overall, I believe that both should be respected as soap dramas is just as important to UK residents as football is and is a part of the British culture. It would work in everyone’s benefit if both were on at the same time but different channels – so there really is no excuse why it isn’t on.