Neighbours returns to TV as Amazon and Prime Video swipe rights
Ramsay Street is returning home to Ten in 2023 after Fremantle, the producers of Australia’s drama Neighbours, secured Amazon Freevee and Prime Video as their international partners.
Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher With Scripts. Neighbours 2023.
Paramount Australia and New Zealand executive vice president and chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Neighbours back home to Network 10, and while we loved the finale earlier this year and appreciated the incredible support from the cast, crew and fans, we continued to hold a small glimmer of hope that one day it would be possible to resume the series.
“We are grateful for the tenacity and determination displayed by Fremantle in securing a new production partner so our association could continue.
“A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years, we can’t wait to bring back the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to Australian audiences which will also add a fantastic boost to the Victorian and wider production community.”
Fremantle Australia CEO, Greg Woods said: “The love for Neighbours is undeniable and we have been determined to explore every possible avenue to bring it back for loyal fans across the world. We are beyond thrilled to have secured this landmark deal with Amazon Freevee, along with Network 10 in Australia, long-term and passionate supporters of the show.
“We will be going back into the writing room immediately and production for this wonderful series will begin next year. Neighbours has been so important for the Victorian production community, and along with our partners, will provide new opportunities on both sides of the camera. We cannot wait to get started.”
The revival of Neighbours means the return of cast members Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis and Ryan Moloney, with further casting announcements to come. You can find out what Jackie and Ryan have to say about the return of Neighbours here.
Ten, the home of Neighbours for over three decades, will retain first-run broadcast rights in Australia. UK and U.S. audiences can view the series free of charge on Amazon Freevee. The revitalized series will also be available ad-free on Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand seven days following the free-to-air viewing of the new series, and exclusively on Prime Video in Canada.
Neighbours has been a staple of Tens program schedule for decades, responsible for launching the careers of hundreds of actors, including household names Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Delta Goodrem.
The show’s Forest Hill studios have been a vital training ground for behind-the-scenes creatives and writers in all aspects of television production.
Neighbours ran for 37 years and nearly 9000 episodes, garnering fans across the globe. The Australian-produced show has screened in multiple countries over its reign on-air including the UK, airing on both BBC One and most recently Channel 5 since its launch in 1985.
The final episode of Neighbours aired in July on Ten, 10 Peach and 10 Play attracting an audience of 1.48 million viewers with Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and Jason Donovan all returning to revive their beloved characters in the final episode, paying tribute to the series.
Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ executive producer – Fremantle since 2013, and Rick Maier, Head of Drama and Executive Production, Paramount ANZ will maintain their positions on the exciting new chapter of Neighbours, with Andrew Thompson returning as Producer.
Production is set to commence in early 2023 with a world premiere slated for the second half of the year.
In March, Fremantle Media failed to find a new home for the long-running soap.
A Network 10 spokesperson told Mumbrella at the time: “Today, Fremantle confirmed that Neighbours will cease production in June. This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful. Network 10 confirms that Neighbours will not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022.”
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topics
Amazon Freevee
Beverley McGarvey
Greg Woods
Jason Herbison
Neighbours
Network Ten
Prime Video
Rick Maier
Ten
If Paramount are so excited about the return of Neighbours why didn’t Paramount plus pick it up instead of Anazon. CBS , Channel 5 and parent company Viacom were only too happy to axe the show. Now all of a sudden they are excited, really. Shame on you Paramount Shame.
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