ITV's head of continuing drama Iain MacLeod has unveiled plans for a significant production transformation across both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
The changes will see upgraded camera equipment and enhanced post-production facilities rolled out for the long-running soaps, but the reveal comes amid fan complaints over camera changes, which some have deemed "embarrassing".
Speaking to the This Is Media City podcast, Mr MacLeod said: "In terms of the look and feel of the shows, we're in the midst of a big piece of work around evolving what they both look like."
He added: "We're updating all of our kit, basically, in terms of cameras and post-production infrastructure and all the rest of it. There might [also] be some news around shifting from HD slightly upwards, in terms of the resolution that we're using."
ITV soap crossover Corriedale used cinematic camera moves
| ITVThe overhaul draws inspiration from the Corriedale crossover event, which employed premium cameras and alternative filming methods when it launched last month alongside the new five-episodes-per-week schedule.
Mr MacLeod expressed his ambition to create a unified aesthetic across ITV's soap output whilst maintaining each programme's distinct identity.
"I want there to be a somewhat consistent visual feel between the soaps, so you know when you turn on Emmerdale or turn on Corrie, that it's an ITV soap – without homogenising it too much," he explained.
The executive producer acknowledged the competitive pressure from streaming giants, citing Netflix's global phenomenon as a benchmark.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale fans have noted changes to how the ITV soaps are being filmed over recent weeks
|ITV
"What we don't want is to be left behind. If your mum's now watching Squid Game on Netflix, you don't want those viewers to turn on Corrie or turn on Emmerdale and it looks like a completely different century – or genre, even," MacLeod stated.
He emphasised the goal of preserving the "cinematic flavours" demonstrated during the recent Corriedale event.
Beyond the visual upgrades, Mr MacLeod revealed that ITV is actively investigating digital spin-off content designed to capture younger demographics.
"We're talking about things like micro-dramas, vertical dramas," he said.
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Some Coronation Street fans have debated the new use of camera angles in the soap
|ITV
The soap boss confirmed that various formats are under consideration, including the possibility of condensing existing episodes into shorter formats.
However, Mr MacLeod conceded this particular approach presents difficulties.
"The other one is, can we boil our 23-minute episodes down into a micro-drama? That's proving more difficult, because a lot goes on in a soap!" he admitted.
The proposed changes have drawn a largely negative response from viewers on social media platforms.
One Reddit user dismissed the Netflix comparison entirely, writing: "I don't think I've ever watched a soap and thought 'You know I wish this looked more like Squid Game.' What a crock of s***.
"The 'movie style' production and dramatic music on Corriedale made me cringe with secondhand embarrassment. I don’t want more of that."
Another viewer criticised the Corriedale production style, describing the "movie style" approach and dramatic music as causing "secondhand embarrassment".
"I feel the producers are young and trying to be arty," another noted.
Another penned: "Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the cinematic experience of Corriedale for that one off.
"But more than happy to forfeit the Harlan Coben Netflix-style high definition drama (which quite frankly is depressing) for time spent properly developing the characters and making stories character led in the Rovers instead. Spend the money on the cast being actually in more scenes/storylines together."
"Just be Corrie for heaven's sake. No need for this filmic c**p," a different Reddit user argued.
"Excellent - more scenes being shot in near darkness so we can't tell what's going on," one more complained.
Others were more welcoming of the news though, with one adding: "The quality is good, I just wish they would stop with the weird angles and overhead shots."
"I don’t mind some ideas, like a micro/vertical soap," another commented before continuing: "For example, when a character goes to jail.
"Imagine a prison show based around that persons time in jail, instead of just a few choice scenes in the actual soap.
"That way the character can actually be locked away and spend years behind bars, and have a whole experience created for the character, before finally returning to the street." (sic)