[Score]

I think the soaps did worse only being 30 mins. It wasn't worth the effort to fit them into people's schedules.

Corrie was completely uneventful needn't have bothered, Emmerdale average. That said EastEnders was completely over the top.

I think this is a fair point and it does seem the episodes were basically just there so they could be on the day without anything actually happening.

The way things are going though I reckon it’s more likely they’ll disappear from Christmas Day entirely than go back to an hour. I’m not particularly convinced ITV need them there and they do better on other days anyway.

I suspect they only kept half an hour each to avoid putting cast and producers’ noses out of joint but if they’re not going to put effort into 30 minutes then it’s not worth keeping them there.

Does sound like EastEnders was completely over the top (as ever) and beyond a bit of a festive bump I can’t imagine it’ll lead to any long term ratings boost. Corrie will probably be back ahead within a week.