Neighbours axed by Ch5!

[Pantherboy]

Sadly, the rumours from earlier on today/yesterday have now been confirmed, Ch5 has axed Neighbours & it will be dropped from their schedule this (northern) summer. There are a lot of articles online - these are a couple:


Digital Spy article:


Neighbours to end on Channel 5 this summer, statement confirms
It's official.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...end-channel-5/

Neighbours will be dropped from the Channel 5 schedule this summer, Digital Spy can confirm.

A statement from the show's British broadcaster has officially verified the news following a tabloid leak on Saturday evening.

In an official statement released to Digital Spy, a Channel 5 spokesperson explained: "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."

The representative added: "We'd also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.

"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."

Digital Spy is still awaiting comment from Neighbours' production company Fremantle and the show's Australian broadcaster Channel 10 ? and will update fans as we know more.

Channel 5's decision marks the end of an era, as Neighbours has been a crucial part of the station's daytime schedule since 2008.

Neighbours remains one of the broadcaster's most-watched programmes each week, but a report in The Sun has suggested that Channel 5 pulled its funding for the show for budget reasons.

The cost of funding Neighbours' ongoing production was reportedly "too expensive" for the channel to continue with.

Digital Spy understands that Channel 5's final episode of Neighbours will air in August.

In the past couple of years, Channel 5 has found success with airing stripped 9pm dramas, such as The Teacher, Lie With Me and Cold Call.

The channel has also brought in large audiences with its adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small.

Neighbours' UK broadcasts originally aired on BBC One from 1986 until 2008, when Channel 5 put in a successful bid to take over.

The station has worked closely with the Australian team in recent years, organising late-night specials, on-screen competitions and big storylines to tie in with the UK broadcast schedule.

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).



Sky News:

Neighbours: TV soap will be axed from schedule as Channel 5 increases investment in UK drama
The announcement comes after reports that Channel 5, Fremantle Media, and Australian broadcaster Channel 10 had been trying to reach a deal to secure the show's future.

https://news.sky.com/story/neighbour...drama-12534254

Neighbours will be axed after nearly four decades, with Channel 5 saying it will instead increase investment in original UK drama.

In a statement supplied to Sky News, a Channel 5 spokesperson said: "Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.

"It has 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'd also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.

"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."

It comes after reports that Channel 5, Fremantle Media, and Australian broadcaster Channel 10 had been trying to reach a deal to secure the show's future.

The soap, which is filmed in Australia, has been reliant on funding from Channel 5 in recent years.

It reportedly pulls in an audience of more than one million viewers in the UK across two daily showings.

In Australia it is shown on a digital channel to a smaller audience.

Neighbours began its depiction of the lives of Ramsay Street residents in 1985, and was shown in the UK for the first time the following year.

According to The Sun, which first reported doubts over the show's future, producers are considering bringing back pop star Kylie Minogue for a guest appearance.

Minogue began her career on the soap as tomboy mechanic Charlene Robinson, but left in 1988 to pursue music.

Since then the soap has launched the careers of a number of Australian actors, actresses, and musicians, including Alan Dale, Craig McLachlan, Delta Goodrem, Guy Pearce, Jesse Spencer and Margot Robbie.


And:

Sign of the times as UK slams door on Neighbours

https://www.watoday.com.au/culture/t...06-p59u7s.html

[Perdita]

I hope another channel picks it up ... crazy from Channel 5 to axe it

[Pantherboy]

I hope another channel picks it up ... crazy from Channel 5 to axe it

They are supposedly looking for a new production partner, but I wouldn't be too hopeful. Fingers crossed. We will see.....



Network Ten issued a statement to TV Tonight on Sunday afternoon confirming that Fremantle Media has called a meeting with the cast and crew tomorrow:

"As outlined in the email to Neighbours cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward," a spokesperson told the TV blog.

"Network 10 has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner.

?We will provide further updates as they become available."



And this from the Sydney Morning Herald:


End of the road? Long-running soap Neighbours to stop filming

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-an...06-p59u7i.html

The British production company behind long-running soap Neighbours has informed staff the show will stop after it failed to reach a financial agreement with its broadcast partner Channel 5.

Fremantle Media executive producer Jason Herbison said on Sunday afternoon the Australian program, which has been running for more than 36 years, would stop production for an indefinite period because it could not find a broadcast partner to back it financially.

The email, seen by this masthead, said the future had been uncertain for some time.

?Our audience remains steady and [Australian partner] Channel Ten would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace [Channel 5],? Mr Herbison said.

?These discussions are ongoing, however, there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show.?

Staff have been asked to attend a meeting on Monday and filming will continue until June 10.

?We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that you?ve achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves,? Mr Herbison said.

Neighbours began on Australian television in 1985 and is recognised as the starting place for some of Australia?s most successful actors and musicians, including Kylie Minogue, Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe, Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce.

Network Ten, which has been the local broadcast partner since 1986, said it hoped to keep the popular program alive despite the withdrawal of its major backer. The program has run on its digital channel 10 Peach since 2011 after losing its place following the nightly news on the main channel.

?As outlined in the email to Neighbours cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward,? a Network Ten spokesperson said. ?Network Ten has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner. We will provide further updates as they become available.?

The potential end of Neighbours has broader ramifications for Network Ten because it uses the program in its local drama content quota. Without it, the network would not only be required to fill programming space but would also need to spend more money commissioning a range of new dramas to meet requirements set out by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Channel 5 released a statement to media in Britain announcing it will turn to more ?original UK drama? instead of the Melbourne-made soap, which drew millions of viewers in Britain and Australia for many years before losing steam.

?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,? a Channel 5 spokesperson said.

?We?d also, of course, like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.

?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 UK viewers.?

[kaz21]

Someone better pick it up.

[GrrArgh]

Industry is saying it's unlikely anyone will pick it up. The show costs $20 million+ a year to produce, and it's no longer the drawcard it once was. It's a model from a bygone era of television. There will be little incentive for anyone to pick it up in the UK, and streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, etc. would be looking for something worth their investment, which Neighbours probably wouldn't be. Soaps generally have been going out of fashion for the last ten years - look at some of America's daytime soaps, some of which ran for decades longer than Neighbours, calling it a day.

It's sad, but it's the reality - this will likely be Neighbours' curtain call.

In business terms, it makes sense for Channel 5. Fremantle asked for three times the current investment that Channel 5 puts into the show and monetarily, it did not make sense for them when compared to the advertising revenue the show pulled in for them in the UK. Neighbours does not pull the attention it once did and it's unlikely it'll ever be that way again. I think it likely is Neighbours' time to end and let's just hope we can get a good resolution after 37 years.

[lizann]

rte in Ireland airs it

[courseiam]

Are we really that surprised? It's been so bad ever since Finn, then Finn and then Finn again, and has continued to go downhill with Nicolette, Toady and Mel and some of the other boring annoying characters/stories etc. Neighbours was a must watch for me, but I haven't watched since the time shift on Channel 5. I've so longed for the good old days, where it was fun and didn't take its self too seriously.

[Ruffed_lemur]

I really hope another channel gets it. Very sad about this.
Neighbours is my favourite Soap.

[Pantherboy]

Some more articles:


Neighbours legend Jason Donovan addresses the show's uncertain future
The soap is due to air its final episode on Channel 5 in the summer.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...ertain-future/


Home and Away actor voices support for Neighbours cast as the show's future hangs in the balance
"Very sad day in Oz television."

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...hbours-future/


Fans launch desperate bid to save Neighbours
With the iconic long-running soap?s future in jeopardy, devastated fans have taken matters into their own hands to keep it going.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainmen...90d1415bd05db7



And the article in today's Sydney Daily Telegraph:


"Future of Neighbours TV show in doubt after 37 years on air
With the future of iconic Australian TV drama Neighbours under threat fans are trying to take matters into their own hands.


Fans are rallying behind iconic Australian TV drama Neighbours which is under dire threat after it was dropped by its UK broadcast partner.

The show, which is made in Melbourne and launched the international careers of household names such as Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia, Jason Donovan, Alan Dale, Jesse Spencer, Liam Hemsworth and Delta Goodrem, is facing its greatest battle for survival in its 37-year history.

Channel 5 in the UK has confirmed it is not renewing its contract with Fremantle, the company that produces Neighbours, and will cease airing the show in Britain as of June.

After news broke on Sunday a petition to keep the beloved show on air has attracted more than 13,000 signatures.

The petition calls on Channel 5 to continue to support the show, saying it has been a staple on UK screens for more than 35 years.

?Neighbours is more than just a TV show ? it is a source of comfort and entertainment for generations of fans who have watched it for decades,? the petition says.

?It is one of the most loved TV shows in the UK and brings lots of viewers from all backgrounds to Channel 5?s catalogue of channels. Even Adele is a fan. Channel 5 ? we plead with you ? please find a way to keep Neighbours on air.?

The show will continue to film new episodes at it?s Nunawading studio until June 10, however it?s future remains unclear after that date unless Fremantle can find a new partner.

Channel 10, the home of Neighbours in Australia, remains committed to the show and is eager for it to continue.

The show will not film on Monday and cast and crew have been called to an all-staff meeting at 11am that morning.

In an email to cast, seen by the Herald Sun, the show?s executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the drama?s uncertain future.

?As you know the future of the show has been uncertain for some time. Our audience remains steady and Channel 10 would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace C5,? Herbison wrote.

?These discussions are ongoing however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show.

?We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that you?ve achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves.?

Network 10 said was hopeful the show could be saved.

?As outlined in the email to Neighbours cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward,? 10 said in a statement.

?Network 10 has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner. We will provide further updates as they become available.?

Channel 5 said it was dropping Neighbours to focus on UK-made drama.

?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,? the broadcaster said in a statement.

?We?d also like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years. 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.?"

[Pantherboy]

Photos of Neighbours cast members leaving today's meeting:


Distraught Neighbours cast members break down in tears as they leave a crisis meeting about the show's future - as long-running soap faces the axe after 37 years

- The cast of Neighbours left a crisis meeting in Melbourne on Monday, following reports the long-running soap is set to be axed after 37 years on air
- Some of the stars, who could soon be facing unemployment, were seen crying as they emerged from Fremantle's Nunawading Studios
- The show's future hangs in the balance after UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed its decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia
- Industry experts say it's unlikely Australia's Channel 10 can keep producing the show without financial backing from an international broadcaster
- Channel 10 released a statement on Sunday confirming it had every intention of finding a new broadcast partner
- If the iconic soap doesn't find another backer soon, it could spell the end of the 37-year-old television institution

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...faces-axe.html



And fromThe Sydney Morning Herald:


The end of Neighbours? The numbers don?t (quite) add up

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-an...07-p59ug0.html