TVNZ has announced major changes to beloved icon Coronation Street, with episodes set to jump forwards by 18 months.
The jump will bring them in line with the broadcast in the UK.
The move to get up to date with Britain has sparked a mixed response from fans.
Coronation Street is the UK’s biggest soap, and it has long been an audience favourite in New Zealand as well.
However, for years, New Zealand has lagged behind the UK’s broadcast, with episodes airing here 18 months after their original transmission.
From June 11, viewers will be able to watch Coronation Street in sync with the UK.
Renamed “Coronation Street 2018”, TVNZ 1’s primetime episodes will air one week behind the UK on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening at 9.30pm.
Viewers who want to watch the episodes from the missing 18 months will be able to see them on weekdays at 1pm on TVNZ 1.
Both versions - Coronation Street 2018 and Coronation Street Catch-up - will be available on TVNZ OnDemand.
TVNZ 1 will have a two-hour special on Sunday, June 10 recapping key storylines across the 18 months that are being skipped ahead.
John Kelly, TVNZ's General Manager of Programming says, "Coronation Street has been a cornerstone of TVNZ 1’s schedule for decades. We’ve had a lot of feedback from viewers over the years, expressing their frustration with being so far behind the UK. We’re with them on this, which is why we’ve decided to take this huge step."
The changes come after extensive consultation with TVNZ’s Coronation Street viewers was conducted via the TVNZ Greenroom Panel. Over three-quarters of those surveyed said the delay was an issue for them.
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