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LAST UPDATE | 7 Feb 2022
RTÉ HAS SAID it is “in talks” with the production company behind Australian soap neighbours following after the future of the popular show was thrown into doubt.
The show has been running for almost 37 years and has been the springboard for stars including Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth and Russell Crowe.
In that time the show has been broadcast in over 60 countries but its broadcast in the UK is said to be critical to its financial survival.
Neighbours was broadcast on the BBC from 1986 to 2008 before it moved to Channel 5. It was confirmed over the weekend that Channel 5 wold be dropping the soap to allow funding to be diverted to original UK dramas.
A spokesperson for the channel said: “Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.”
It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series.
“We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.”
RTÉ has broadcast Neighbours since 2000 and signed a long-term contract with the makers in 2007 which allowed Irish audiences to continue to watch the show when it moved from BBC to Channel 5.
In a response to questions about its future on Irish television, a spokesperson for RTÉ said: “RTÉ is currently in talks with Freemantle in relation to Neighbours”.
A hit
Neighbours, which launched in 1985, has long been more popular in the UK than in Australia.
The longest running drama series on Australian television, Neighbours initially launched on Australia’s Seven network in 1985, but the channel axed it before Ten picked it up the following year and it became an international hit.
In Australia it has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach since 2011 after losing its place following the nightly news on the main channel, and has been reliant on the UK broadcaster for funding.
An email to staff from Fremantle Media executive producer Jason Herbison, seen by the Sydney Morning Herald, said production will stop for an indefinite period because of the lack of a broadcast partner to back it financially.
Staff have been asked to attend a meeting today and filming will continue until 10 June 10.
The email said: “Our audience remains steady and Channel Ten would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace [Channel 5].
“These discussions are ongoing, however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show.”
- With reporting by Press Association
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About 30 years ago at 2.30am New Year’s Eve we rang a random number in Sydney and sang the Neighbours theme down the phone! Whoever it was at the other end took it in good spirits and joined in!
@sean o’dhubhghaill: the times before the Internet eh?
Yet “Fair City” still exists!
@Ciaran McCann: I don’t know how?
@Ciaran McCann: Unreal. The most brutally acted, scripted and produced show by any serious network ever.
@Ciaran McCann: Fairly sh#ty
@Peter Walsh: “Serious network” is a bit of a stretch.
So now our inflating “broadcasting fee” is going to include funding the further syndication of Australian soaps? Wonderful Dee, just wonderful.
@Andy Cahalan: yeh seems a bit weird they are negotiating to be the broadcast partner when they don’t apparently have any money, on a show that’s obviously run its course.
@ed w: who actually watches this tripe
@Andy Cahalan: Flamin Nora, you are dead right.
With a little understanding, RTE can find the perfect blend.
@Ivor O’Sullivan ☘: they should all be there for one another during these difficult times
Is Dee Forbes the worst ever CEO? She seems completely clueless on how to do her job and her only answer seems be ehhh, let’s do something something tv licences. Beggars belief that she’s still employed and not only that but probably on an enormous salary.
“In talks” is a bit vague, to what end exactly? But my real question is, how can you mention the likes of Kylie Minogue and Russell Crowe without a word about the King of Pop himself, Craig McLachlan!?
@Colm de Cleir: wasn’t jason donovan on neighbours also?
@Brian Dunne: and Guy Pearce.
@FrustratedASDMum: And Liam Helmsworth, Russell Crowe and Margot Robbie:)
Drop neighbours then and save some money on broadcast fees. While you’re at it drop Home & Away, Eastenders and any other program people can watch on UK channels.
How much money are they wasting to broadcast programs people can watch for free elsewhere (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, etc)?
Take Eastenders for example, if you have a free to air satellite setup you can watch it on BBC without ads for free… why would you watch it on RTE?
@Noel Linnane: completely agree. It amazes me why channels spend so much on programmes that are simulcast on BBC/ITV etc. virgin media with their lack of money are always doing it. It would be better to buy programmes not readily available to the Irish
Reeling in the repeats
Bring back ‘Skippy the Bush Kangaroo’ to replace it. ‘What’s that Skip? Neighbours fallen down the mineshaft? Bloody well leave them there mate…’
@William Tallon: you win mate
Jason Donovan, danni minogue
@Alison Maguire: Hollie valance
@Alison Maguire: Not forgetting Natalie Imbruglia.
@Alison Maguire: Margot Robbie
Why on earth would we want to be funding an Australian production when the Australians don’t want to fund it!! Put the cash into something produced on our own shores.
As good as dead if RTE get their hands on it. Another sub from the licence payer to keep something long past it’s sell by date afloat.
RTE please dont bother, let it go, its ru##ish
Chris Hemsworth was never on Neighbours. He started on Home and Away.
Day time muck
Stone the crows , I suppose.it was important to a certain generation.
“RTÉ HAS SAID it is “in talks” with the production company behind Australian soap neighbours following after the future of the popular show was thrown into doubt.”
I’m not sure why people think RTE are somehow going to replace the funding that will go away with Channel 5 dropping it. RTE being “in talks” is most likely them asking about when it will end so they can find something to fill the slot
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