How to watch Hollyoaks after Channel 4 schedule changes
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Hollyoaks' new era has officially begun this week, with the long-running soap no longer airing in its traditional 6.30pm slot on Channel 4.
The soap has undergone a schedule shake-up to coincide with a huge week of episodes, which feature Rayne Royce's dramatic exit and the launch of a new murder mystery storyline.
Channel 4 bosses first announced the changes earlier this month, but just in case you've missed it, here's a quick recap of everything you need to know.
Why is Hollyoaks not on Channel 4?
Hollyoaks has aired in its familiar 6.30pm slot on Channel 4 for 28 years, but the soap will no longer be broadcast on the main linear channel at this time.
The change has been made because viewing habits have shifted away from the 6.30pm showing in recent years.
As part of Channel 4's ongoing stream-first strategy, daily Hollyoaks episodes have been released early on the broadcaster's free streaming service since March 2022.
There's also the 7pm first-look slot on E4, which usually outrated the Channel 4 repeat the following day.
In a recent press release, Channel 4 commented: "In 2023, 64% of viewers have watched the soap via streaming or E4, resulting in 556 million minutes of the show being streamed in the first half of the year."
The broadcaster also confirmed that pre-transmission views of Hollyoaks on Channel 4's streaming service are up 53% this year compared to 2022.
Hollyoaks' weekly omnibus will continue to air on Channel 4.
What time is Hollyoaks on and how can I watch?
If you're a 6.30pm viewer who needs to adjust to a new way of watching Hollyoaks, there are various options for you.
Channel 4's free streaming service remains the place to see Hollyoaks first, with new episodes being released at 7.30pm every weekday.
The Channel 4 streaming app is available to download on all major devices, or you can also access episodes in your web browser via the official Channel 4 website.
Hollyoaks still gets a TV outing too, with episodes airing weeknights at 7pm on E4. However, fans watching at E4 pace may want to be wary over spoilers, as episodes will have been available to view on streaming for 24 hours by the time this screening airs.
In another new move, there will be an additional catch-up opportunity on YouTube, where episodes will be released one week after their broadcast on Channel 4 streaming and E4.
At the time of writing, three episodes after the final 6.30pm airing are already available to watch – Episode 6206, Episode 6207 and Episode 6208.
Channel 4's Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz recently commented: "Hollyoaks has always been the youngest and most innovative soap so it's fitting that it should be the first to embrace the changes in the behaviour of younger viewers and switch to a genuinely digital-led release pattern.
"It was the first UK soap to move to a stream-first model last year and this is the next phase of that evolution. We hope making Hollyoaks available on YouTube, as well as our own platforms, will introduce a whole new generation to the show."
From Monday, September 25, Hollyoaks will stream first online via Channel 4 each weekday. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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