\'Coronation Street\' and \'Emmerdale\' could both be off air by the summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ITV has just announced its spring schedule which confirms both soaps will be broadcast for the next few months, despite production being shutdown on both because of the spread of the deadly respiratory illness.
However, if filming doesn\'t start back up soon then they will cease to be part of ITV\'s evening output.
A statement from the company explained: "The two biggest soaps on TV, \'Coronation Street\' and \'Emmerdale\', will continue to run through the spring and into the early summer."
Earlier on Friday (27.03.20), Kevin Lygo, ITV Director of Television, outlined the company\'s output over the coming months, highlighting a number of entertainment shows that he hopes will keep Brits happy as they abide by the British government\'s guidance to stay indoors and avoid social gatherings to prevent people from becoming infected by the virus.
In a statement, Lygo said: "ITV\'s aims are to serve up as much information, guidance and entertainment as possible to help people to get through this extraordinary time.
"That\'s why we\'ve put exciting new shows into the schedule while doing everything possible to keep our live daytime programmes on air to speak directly to you each day, along with our rock-solid news bulletins.
"We hope Saturday night entertainment like \'Saturday Night Takeaway\', \'Britain\'s Got Talent\' and \'In For a Penny\' continue to entertain millions of people on a Saturday night, and factual offerings from \'Harry\'s Heroes\' to \'Gordon, Gino and Fred\'s Road Trip\' will offer some comfort and escapism in the weeks ahead. New dramas such as Julian Fellows\' \'Belgravia\', \'The Good Karma Hospital\' and the upcoming \'Quiz\' all aim to enthral viewers through the coming weeks.
"We\'ve even staged our own \'Virtual Grand National\' to help you ride this out. We hope you tune in and enjoy what we have to offer."
\'Emmerdale\' and \'Coronation Street\' both have seen their broadcast pattern reduced in a bid to keep them on air for as long as possible
A previous statement from ITV read: "ITV has taken the decision to reduce Emmerdale\'s transmission pattern to three episodes per week from Monday 30 March. The Yorkshire based soap will air on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Coronation Street airing at 7.30pm on the same nights."
Both programmes usually air six episodes per week.
ITV followed the actions of the BBC, which suspended production on shows such as \'EastEnders\', \'Casualty\' and \'Holby City\'.
\'EastEnders\' has also reduced its transmission to two episodes per week in the wake of the global crisis.
