Call the Midwife's final episode will be broadcast half an hour later than usual on Sunday, February 19.
The BBC has shifted the popular period drama from 8pm to 8.30pm after ITV scheduled a half-hour episode of Coronation Street at 8pm.
"Call the Midwife has been the standout hit of the year and it's both surprising and disappointing for viewers that ITV1 were prepared to sacrifice an episode of Coronation Street just to damage its audience," a corporation insider told PA.
However, an ITV spokesman disputed the BBC's claims, saying: "We've moved it to Sunday because that's the next available similar time slot and it's for one night only."
Coronation Street will not air its usual 8.30pm edition on Thursday, February 16 due to ITV's broadcast of Manchester City's UEFA Cup game versus Porto.
Call the Midwife has soared in popularity since its premiere last month, achieving over 9 million viewers last Sunday for its most recent instalment.
TV Guide
