Neighbours boss Jason Herbison has revealed why the long-running soap was axed once again.
The popular serial drama, a staple of daytime TV in the UK for four decades, was axed Amazon Prime Video last month, two years on since the streamer’s free service saved the soap.
Neighbours, as viewers will recall, was previously axed by Channel 5 in 2022, with a star-studded finale featuring those who made a name for themselves on Ramsay Street – including Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan – all staging a return.
Amazon Freevee subsequently stepped in and revived Neighbours, which returned to screens in 2023 with a brand new chapter.
The show repeatedly tops Amazon’s most-watched programmes in the UK and received its first ever daytime Emmy nominations since the streamer came to the rescue.
What’s more, the revived series allowed Neighbours to achieve numerous milestones which were once thought impossible, including airing its 9,000th episode and its 40th anniversary, which airs this week.
But sadly the show will come to an end later this year, having been axed by Amazon.
The news took fans surprise given Neighbours’ continued popularity in the UK but, according to boss Jason Herbison, it was the closure of Freevee that played a role in the decision not to renew.
‘We were considered a very big success on Amazon Freevee, and we’re so grateful to them for this chapter and this two and a half years,’ he told TV Tonight.
‘The team at Amazon Freevee did an incredible job of launching us over there. I think we were on bus stops all across the UK, it was amazing and they have been wonderful to work with. But yes, as you’ve as you’ve mentioned the closure of Freevee, did change the landscape.
‘While we seem to be very successful on Prime we’re just simply not part of their content strategy going forward. And there’s really no hard feelings with that.
‘Things change and as I say, we’re just very grateful to them to have had this chapter.’
Neighbours will remain on screens until December and fans aren’t giving up without a fight, with a new petition having been launched in a bid to find the popular soap a new home.
At the time of writing, the petition has garnered 17,369 signatures.
Neighbours streams for free Mondays to Thursdays from 7:30am on Amazon Prime Video.
If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.
Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
