Neighbours inks new deal with UK TV network

EVERYBODY still needs good Neighbours, with a UK television network inking a deal with the Melbourne-made soap.

Neighbours actors Olympia Valance [as Paige], Stefan Dennis [as Paul], and Rebekah Elmaloglou [as Therese] celebrate the signing by the pool. Picture: Alex Coppel

EVERYBODY still needs good Neighbours, with a UK television network inking a deal with the Melbourne-made soap.

The agreement between Neighbours’ production company, FremantleMedia, and UK’s Channel 5 will also mean an additional 18 episodes are shot annually, as well as several feature-length prime-time Ramsay St specials for English television.

While all Australian shows traditionally take a hiatus during the non-ratings period, under the new agreement, Neighbours will follow the British model and will screen all year, including Christmas.

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FremantleMedia chief ­Cecile Frot-Coutaz said the deal would allow Neighbours’ millions of fans to enjoy the show for many years to come.

“From small beginnings over 30 years ago, Neighbours has grown to become one of the most iconic shows on television ... and, with the possible exception of Kylie herself, Australia’s number one export,” she said.

Stefan Denis, who has played Paul Robinson since the show began, said the cast “couldn’t be happier”.

“It is always great to know we are as well-loved in the UK as we are here,” he said.

The new deal ends months of speculation that the 30-year old show’s future was in jeopardy because Channel 5 and FremantleMedia could not agree on terms.

As rumours of Neighbours’ possible demise persisted, more than 10,000 fans signed a petition urging Channel 5 to continue to screen the soap. Even superstar Adele got in on the action, venting her outrage over the show’s uncertain future during a concert in New Zealand.

Channel 5 spokeswoman Katie Keenan said Neighbours was an important part of its schedule, screening twice a day to reach more than a million viewers.

“For more than three decades, Neighbours has been an unmissable daily drama and although Ramsay St is on the other side of the world, the stories we tell have struck a chord in the hearts of the UK audience,” Ms Keenan said.

The deal is likely to be good news for Australian viewers, too. Although Channel 10 is in administration and likely to be bought by American giant CBS, Neighbours’ long association with the network should safeguard its future on Australian screens.

A Network Ten spokesman said: “We have a contract with FremantleMedia and Neighbours is continuing on Eleven. There is no change.”

The new agreement will mean Neighbours screens in Australia over Christmas in 2018. But it is understood that Ten has not yet picked up the rights to the specials.

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