EastEnders executives are planning to move the soap to 30-minute episodes in an effort to keep ratings from falling.
Four BBC shows have been shown per week. Each show runs for less than 30 minutes, because of social distancing regulations, which means it takes more time to film.
The Walford-based serial’s first 30 minute episode will be aired on Monday. Channel executives hope that uniform scheduling will help keep viewers interested.
EastEnders executives are planning changes in an effort to increase ratings (pictured: Danny Dyer on the soap).
According to The Sun, a source said that the bosses want to stop this slide. In ideal circumstances, fans should have uniformity and regularity instead of guessing how often it will be on.
Coronation Street is aired on ITV six times a weeks, each 30-minute show being filled out with advertisements. Advertisements are not allowed on the BBC.
BBC’s drama chief Piers Wenger admitted the shorter shows have affected the soap’s viewing figures.
Difficulties
His comments were: “It’s being scheduled off-junction, and not being the entire half-hour have impacted its audiences.
“But, we are extremely focused on getting it back in its normal slot and length.”
Many viewers continue to watch the broadcast after it ends, and many are also catching up with BBC iPlayer.
While Piers confirmed bosses wanted longer episodes, he said: ‘It’s not going to happen overnight.’
A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline that EastEnders does not plan to broadcast five times per week.
Tomorrow’s EastEnders will continue on BBC One, at 8 p.m.
According to The Sun, a source said that the bosses want to stop this slide. In ideal circumstances, fans should have uniformity and regularity instead of guessing how often it will be on.