Neighbours future: soap to broadcast on Channel 5 for years to come as broadcaster and Aussie makers strike mega deal which will see lots of specials
Neighbours fans will be delighted by the news that Channel 5 has agreed a multi-year deal with the show's makers to keep the much-loved Aussie soap on British screens for years to come.
The mega deal involves an increase in the number of episodes produced every year, resulting in Neighbours airing on Channel 5 for 52 weeks of the year. And this means that for the first time ever Neighbours will be on over the Christmas period from 2018.
The deal will also see a number of annual specials airing on Channel 5 in prime time slots, with the first planned for early 2018. The specials will help launch major new storylines. Last week ex Emmerdale favourite Sheree Murphy was spied in London reprising her role as Dakota Davies. She was shooting scenes for a London special alongside Ramsay Street regular, Tim Kano,who plays Paul Robinson’s son Leo Tanaka.
Sheree Murphy has been shooting scenes in London as Dakota Davies
Jason Herbision, Executive Producer of Neighbours, said:“I’m excited to keep delivering our worldwide viewers with 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 Neighbours – 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.”
The iconic Australian soap first transmitted in the UK way back on October 27, 1986 and has aired on Channel 5 since 2008 with more than 7,500 episodes produced to date.
