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
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