FME’s Neighbours Expands into Scandinavia

LONDON, November 30:
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced that the hit Australian soap Neighbours
is set to roll out across
Scandinavia early next year, after shoring up sales in Sweden, Norway and
Finland.

Neighbours, which is already shown in 57 countries around the
globe, has been picked up by TV4 in Sweden, Norway’s NRK3 and MTV3 in Finland.
The series launched in 1985, and underwent a revamp last July that was met with
a positive response.

Justin Hatfield, FME’s VP
of sales for the U.K., Eire, Benelux and Scandinavia, who brokered the deals at
this year’s MIPCOM, commented: “Neighbours’ fresh, up-to-date look has proved very attractive
to new broadcasters, especially now that there is an obvious starting point for
viewers to join the show. A tried-and-tested, long-running drama like Neighbours, which is also highly regarded, is a particularly appealing proposition for any
digital channel.”

David Ellender, FME’s CEO,
added: “Once again Neighbours’ allure
remains undimmed and the brand continues to grow in terms of both stature and
sales. The recent overhaul has put a spring in its step, which has been
recognized by broadcasters.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski