The Australian soap will say goodbye after 37 years.
Fremantle Media, the production company behind Australian soap Neighbours, has failed to find a new UK broadcaster after Channel 5 dropped the program last month.
An official announcement was made at 5:00pm AEDT via the Neighbours social media accounts. It said:
“We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June.
“Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.
“To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours. #celebratingneighbours.”
The Tweet announcing the news can be found below.
A 10 spokesperson said:
“Today, Fremantle confirmed that Neighbours will cease production in June, after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes. This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful.
“Network 10 confirms that Neighbours will not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022.
“A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports.
“Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.
“Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.
“We thank the Australian fans and audiences for their continued support of the series. Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama. We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.
“We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months.”
A Fremantle spokesperson said:
“It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June. Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show.
“Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out. The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along way. But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.”
Fremantle had not previously commented on the situation surrounding the search for a new UK home, where they were unable to reach a new deal with Channel 5 to continue broadcasting the soap.
Loyal Neighbours fans will no doubt be upset with the news, after several mounted a fierce social media campaign imploring a new network to pick up the series. An online petition saw more than 60,000 signatures hoping to find the residents of Ramsay St a new television home.
Alas, however, the soap has run its course and the production crew will prepare for the show’s conclusion.
Neighbours had called Network 10 its Australian home for 36 of its 37 years, with the soap moved to the 10 Peach (formerly Eleven) digital channel from the main 10 channel in 2010.
With the impact of COVID-19, Neighbours reduced its run to four nights a week instead of the once-usual five in 2021, a decision that remained for 10 despite Channel 5 returning to a five-night schedule when production resumed a normal schedule.
This decision meant the UK would surpass Australia’s airing of Neighbours episodes, and means the show’s imminent finale will screen in the UK well before it will in Australia, despite being the home of the soap’s production.
Whether 10 will attempt to restore the Neighbours schedule so the series finale will air before, or concurrently, with the UK airing, is yet to be seen.
TV Blackbox will update this story as more information is received.
I am not happy it has been axed. But will say that it does seem to be promoting bad behaviour in new characters, ie the show is encouraging bad morals in a few new/newer characters. I first saw the show when it first started, then stopped as of character Paul. I stopped watching for over 30 years, then returned just prior to Sonya’s death. Id prefer the show to keep having nice storylines and stop promoting bad behaviour..
I Have always loved watching Neighbours and am upset that it finishing this year. Network 10 will have to find a new show to fill the void which will be difficult for them as nothing is gathering viewers for them anymore
Back in the 1980s you’d get quizzed about Neighbours storylines when visiting the UK.
OK, in those times it rated strongly alongside Corrie and Eastenders, they’re now 4-6m against Neighbours 1.5m, so it has lost a lot of relative ground. Unfortunately Neighbours isn’t rating in the Top 50 for any of the key UK advertiser’s audiences, in fact Simpsons reruns directly up against it on Channel 4 beat in the demos. Live viewing is less than half of VOSDAL, so there’s a lot people fast forwarding through the ads.
There’s clearly a loyal audience, but Channel 5 have really struggled to monetise it.