Neighbours to air hundreds of new episodes after shock return deal
The format that fans know and love will be back.
Neighbours' future will be secure for at least two years following its surprise revival, has learned.
The popular soap will return to screens next year with a new home for UK viewers on the free streaming service Amazon Freevee. Network Ten will retain the first-run rights for new episodes in Australia.
Ever since the news was announced last week, speculation has been rife in the media and among fans over the form that Neighbours' next chapter will take.
Some viewers have wondered whether the show will move away from its soap format once it moves to streaming. Others have speculated over the possibility of a limited run of episodes.
An insider told us: "The plan is for Neighbours to keep its format as a high-volume daily soap opera, so it'll still be the show that fans know and love.
"Plans are being made for two new seasons, which will run for 200 episodes each. It's an incredible result for fans, who thought they'd seen the last of the show when the finale aired in July.
"The logic for Freevee is that daily episode drops will keep fans checking back on the streaming service and engage with other content available."
The news means that Neighbours will reach its milestone 9,000th episode, having finished up with Episode 8,903 in July.
200-episode seasons would mean fewer episodes than when the show aired on Channel 5. It works out as enough to air 40 weeks per year, if the soap airs in the established format of five episodes per week.
This could mean the show taking breaks with a mid-season finale and season finale, although details of how the episodes will be released won't be officially announced until nearer the time.
Freevee already carries out a strategy of daily episode releases with Judge Judy's new show Judy Justice – another original commission, which is currently on its second season.
A spokesperson for Fremantle also declined to comment.
Last week, Neighbours' executive producer Jason Herbison told that he hoped the show would be back in people's regular viewing routines when it returns in the second half of 2023.
He said: "We have many more announcements ahead, so stay tuned. I can assure you there are a lot of new episodes on the way. We have been a big part of people's lives and we hope to be again."
Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy) and Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi) are all returning for the new episodes, which begin filming in April.
Neighbours returns in the second half of 2023 with new episodes streaming free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new series.
No comments