Here we go, again!
Just two years after its surprise revival by Amazon, Neighbours has been axed.
The Amazon-led revival has seen the show extended a further 400 episodes since its last “finale” in 2022, and will see Neighbours pass its 40th anniversary in March.
The news was initially reported unofficially in the UK press before an official statement was published on social media:
“We are sad to announce that Neighbours will be resting from December 2025. New episodes from the 40th anniversary season will continue to air on Prime Video and Ten four times a week until the end of the year, with all the big soapie twists and turns that our viewers love.
“Jason Herbison, Neighbours Executive Producer said: “Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024. As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally.
“We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.”
The show’s broadcaster in Australia, Network Ten, issued a similar statement:
“They’ve been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we’re so sad to be saying goodbye. Unfortunately, after nearly four decades of events on Ramsay Street, production of Neighbours will cease this year. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years, and we’re pleased to continue bringing you new episodes of Neighbours on Network 10 right through until December.”
It is the third time the drama series has faced the axe. The Seven Network did it first in 1985 before Network Ten made a shock move and picked up the series. It was the first time a drama series had swapped networks in Australia. Its success on Ten led to the show being picked up by BBC.
At its peak, Neighbours was watched by around 20 million Brits every day and the show’s cast were invited to appear at a Royal Variety Performance in 1988.
Commercial network Channel 5 took over airing the series in the UK in 2008, becoming the show’s major overseas investor.
Despite being the channel’s highest-rating program, Neighbours was axed again in 2022 after Channel 5 withdrew its support.
The 8903rd episode, which was to farewell the show after 37 years, was watched by over a million Australians when it aired in July 2022. Former cast members including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Peter O’Brien and Natalie Bassingthwaighte came back to send off the show that made them international stars.
Time will tell if Neighbours makes yet another comeback, somewhere…
Source: Neighbours, Ten.
