As broadcasters compete with online services, ITV’s Coronation Street and Emmerdale have seen a sharp fall in viewers.
The number of viewers of the major broadcast channels has decreased at the highest yearly rate since records have been kept, according to Ofcom’s most recent data.
According to research, the percentage of people who watch traditional broadcast TV every week has decreased from 83% in 2021 to 79% in 2022.
Additionally, it demonstrated that older viewers have begun consuming content via streaming services, which has affected ratings.
The amount of time spent daily on broadcast television has also decreased, as reported by Ofcom. It went from two hours 59 minutes in 2021 to two hours 38 minutes the following year.
It stated: “Over the previous eight years, the number of TV programming with more than four million viewers has decreased by half, from 2,490 in 2014 to 1,184 in 2022.
“While the number of shows with big audiences is declining across all genres, these declines are a reflection of fewer viewers of the major early and late-evening TV newscasts as well as a steady decline in viewing figures for the three most popular soap operas: Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Emmerdale.”
The two ITV soap operas’ ratings have fallen as a result of recent fan criticism of some of the plotlines taking place in Weatherfield and the Yorkshire Dales.
Both soap operas are currently through a number of major plotlines, but many fans are unimpressed.
In Coronation Street, Sarah Platt (played by Tina O’Brien) slept on her husband with the local bad boy, got pregnant, and recently miscarried the child—all the while, her uncle Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce), who has killed three people since returning last year, is still getting away with murder.
In contrast, Amelia Spencer (played by Daisy Campbell) in The Dales is still concerned that her father, who punched her stalker and left him in a serious state, will be imprisoned.
The ongoing covert relationship between Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) and Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) is causing controversy elsewhere.
Despite the unexpected departures, tragic scenes, and stunning events, people have criticised the “boring” plots, which may be related to the declining viewership.
@AdeolaO_, a Corrie viewer, said: “The plot involving Aadi and that man’s wife is unsettling. She is shaping him. The plot must come to an end shortly. Will have to stop until it’s over to watch.
Elinf88 also added, “Bored of this baby daddy storyline now.”
@ASuperGav, an Emmerdale fan, lambasted the storyline between the false nurse and Dr. Dim, asking, “How long do we have to suffer with this s**t for?”
“Another ridiculous storyline that could easily be resolved to add to the mountain of ridiculous storylines going on at the moment,” @funkygibbons said as he reeled.
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