Coronation Street crisis deepens ‘as soap suffers ratings slump amid claims stars fear being axed’
It has been reported that viewing figures for Coronation Street have dropped to an all-time low, possibly due to a rebellion among the stars following the departure of five key actors from the soap opera.
It seems that the ITV soap opera is facing difficulties, stemming from rumored financial troubles and discontent among the actors due to unfavorable working conditions and inadequate compensation.
As reported by The Sun, the episode that aired from 9pm to 10pm on Thursday attracted approximately 2.5 million viewers. This viewership figure represents only about 10% of the staggering 27 million people who tuned in for Hilda Ogden’s farewell back in 1987, during her most popular period.
Instead of its regular Friday airtime, the network shifted the episode’s broadcast to accommodate the live telecast of the FA Cup match between Aston Villa and West Ham.
Consequently, Coronation Street faced competition from BBC’s reality series, The Traitors, attracting a viewership of five million.
Due to poor viewership, the title of the most-watched soap opera was taken away from our show and given to Emmerdale, which attracted 3.5 million viewers. On the other hand, BBC’s EastEnders managed to pull in 2.8 million viewers.
Additionally, this implies that The Street dropped from the list of the ten most-watched TV programs of the day, a occurrence not seen since Christmas Day, when viewers bid farewell to Helen Worth, who had played the role of Gail Platt for 50 years.
Starting from November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan have all decided to depart the series, or their characters are being removed from it.
Other actors have reportedly vented their fury on a WhatsApp group over fears they could be next.
As a devoted follower, I would express it this way: “Once upon a time, Coronation Street was the pride and joy of ITV. Now, however, a sense of melancholy has taken root amongst its talented cast members.
As a die-hard fan bursting with enthusiasm, let me clarify something: Normally, we air our show at different times, and Thursday Night 9pm isn’t typically one of them. Moreover, it seems the schedule overlooks those who watch us on ITVX.
On Monday, the knife-related incident reached a peak viewership of 3.9 million, and when combined with other episodes, it’s expected to align with the typical 2024 average of 4.4 million viewers, thereby making it the most popular soap opera on television.
Some of the middle-tier actors and rising stars from the series are reportedly anxious because they fear their roles might be cut as a cost-saving measure.
A few of the newer cast members express concern that their roles may be cut to ensure the continued presence of long-time actors such as Bill Roache and Jack P. Shepherd.
According to a source, there is a WhatsApp chat that has been buzzing with discussions regarding worries over where the next cut might occur.
In this challenging period, I can’t help but feel the ripple effects here at our soap opera. It seems that tough decisions are being made in an effort to reduce costs and maintain key talents such as Bill Roache and Jack P. Shepherd among our cast.
The insider added that cast members have also complained about the long working hours.
They noted that filming can be challenging, with someone complaining they were overworked, comparing it to working dogs. The era of substantial paychecks is no longer present.
TopMob has contacted representatives of Coronation Street for comment.
On the popular British soap opera Coronation Street, salaries can differ greatly. For example, established actors like Bill may reportedly earn around £2,000 per episode, whereas newcomers typically receive approximately £400 for each appearance.
High TV production costs and a significant drop in ad revenue may be threatening the continuation of the ITV soap opera.
A source reported that certain popular actors on the show might have their scenes at The Rovers Return pub reduced or removed, as a cost-saving measure.
After Charlotte, who is 29 years old, declared her departure from the show after serving for five years, this decision was mirrored by previous exits from Sue, Colson, and Helen.
According to a source, Charlotte’s departure is merely the start of bigger issues. Coronation Street is struggling financially, forcing management to make tough choices.
TV manufacturing expenses have increased by over 50% compared to the nearly vanished advertising market that funds them. Unfortunately, the cast is displeased, but since ITV finds itself in a tight spot, they must reduce expenditures.
2023 saw a significant closure duration for The Rovers Return, with landlady Jenny Connor (played by Sally Ann Matthews) encountering financial difficulties.
As a dedicated devotee, I can’t help but speculate that the plot shift might have been a cunning strategy by the producers to trim costs. By eliminating those sprawling group scenes at the pub, they seemingly found a way to save a pretty penny.
In her final year on the soap, Gail Platt, portrayed by Helen, was only present in 26 out of a total 304 episodes.
On Tuesday, it was shared by Charlotte that she was saying farewell to the cobbles as she wanted to pursue new possibilities.
She expressed that her time spent on Coronation Street will forever hold a special place in her heart. After an extraordinary four years playing Daisy, she’s ready to turn the page and pursue fresh adventures and prospects.
As a grateful member of this exceptional establishment, I’ve had the distinct honor of learning alongside an array of remarkable individuals. Their collective wisdom and expertise have enriched my understanding in countless ways.
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2025-01-11 06:19