Channel 5 Renews Deal for Neighbours

FremantleMedia has clinched a new multiyear deal with Channel 5 that keeps the broadcaster as the British home of the Australian drama Neighbours.

The Australian soap is also extending its annual run from 240 to 258 episodes, and FremantleMedia has also greenlit a number of specials for broadcast in prime time in 2018. The series is produced by FremantleMedia Australia for Channel 5 and ELEVEN.

Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia Group, noted, “From small beginnings over 30 years ago, Neighbours has grown to become one of the most iconic shows on television, a mainstay of the FremantleMedia drama catalog and, with the possible exception of Kylie herself, Australia’s number one export. I’m delighted that our new deal with Channel 5 will ensure that the millions of passionate Neighbours fans in the U.K. will continue to enjoy our brilliant cast, writers and many storylines for years to come.”

Katie Keenan, VP of acquisitions at Channel 5 & VIMN UK, added, “I’m delighted Neighbours will continue to air across the Channel 5 portfolio. Neighbours is an important part of our schedule and is held in great affection by British viewers. For more than three decades, Neighbours has been an unmissable daily drama and although Ramsay Street is on the other side of the world, the stories we tell have struck a chord in the hearts of the U.K. audience.”

Jason Herbision, executive producer of Neighbours, added: “I’m excited to keep delivering our worldwide viewers their daily fix of Ramsay Street. We are proud that our show, set in the Aussie suburbs, has touched the lives of viewers the world over. Just as our characters span generations, so do the people that watch—we value our global audiences and are delighted to stay on this journey together. Come the end of 2018 we will also make history by becoming the first Australian drama series to screen all year round. The best is yet to come.”