Neighbours: Discussion Thread

[DRW50]

 

If the execs who'd shepherded the revival had stayed, then I could have seen them possibly giving the show more time, but given the contracting economy and how unsuccessful most streaming attempts of soaps are (other than some of the smaller indie soaps like The Bay), the cancelation did feel inevitable.

The Varga-Murphy family were the best part of the revival for me - I would have said the Rodwells but all of that was dismantled last year. I felt more invested in the family before the baby rabies plot, but still, I appreciate them, and they are easily one of the most believable same-sex couples on a soap as well as one of the few times a family headed by a same-sex couple hasn't felt like it was built on something offputting (like a one night stand or some kind of mishandled adoption). 

[Liberty City]

From what we've seen reported, I fully believe the change from Freevee to Prime Video (which I preferred in terms of ads, etc.) and changing of executives is what killed Neighbours, and the fact it happened so recently leads me to believe there was [some] kind of hope for a renewal from Amazon MGM.

[John]

Nell can join Toadie wherever he went

Poor JJ

Hate Fallon and Seb

Let their plotting blow up in her face

[EricMontreal22]

But wasn't Freevee only an American thing?  How much of Amazon Prime's viewers used it?  (In Canada it's a part of Prime Video and always was.)

[Vee]

I think it's a combination of FreeVee going away, maybe soft numbers vs. budget, and new execs just not seeing the vision.

A year-round soap is long haul trucking. Most streamers do not understand that kind of commitment and the growth or retention factors unless they already began on terrestrial/network TV (like Peacock). They love to rely on massive backlogs of 6-12 to 15-20 years of sitcom or drama 'content' like Grey's, Cheers, Law & Order, etc. to keep subscribers, but having to maintain that kind of grind is new and alien to most streaming outlets. Which is why I have always advocated for doing it Gottlieb/PC-style in the US: Seasonal, 13-16 weeks on and off with several months' break. That at least allows a streamer to get used to the concept of serialized daily drama.

[DRW50]

Neighbours and Home & Away would both take 2-3 months off in their Australian runs. I wish they'd considered the same with Neighbours on Amazon. The most they've done was a two week break this past December.

[Liberty City]

Yes, but per TV Tonight's reporting:

❝ Neighbours has actually been successful on Freevee, but Amazon axed the platform itself late last year, moving the soap to Prime Video. During that time the execs who had originally championed the recommission had also gone, with a change of direction under the new regime. ❞

[EricMontreal22]

I really did think they'd take a bigger break (maybe they thought with just four episodes a week, it wasn't needed?)

It DOES seem like suddenly streamers, but especially Amazon Prime, are all in with their main non binge-format programming being reality and game shows (I know Pop Culture Jeopardy has been a huge hit.)  I can't help but see the irony of reality pushing out scripted shows...

[DRW50]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93n9dn1eyxo

An article about a petition to save the show. 

Edited March 9 by DRW50

[Liberty City]

[John]

That looks so good

[John]

Fallon and seb go and do not return

Edited March 13 by John

[Adamski]

An interesting, in depth interview with Jason Herbison here. Definitely sounds like the show's not over, IMO:

https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/03/neighbours-at-40-a-tv-milestone-soapie-twists-and-a-sense-of-deja-vu.html

[Liberty City]

I think he's been somewhat optimistic and very much choosing his words wisely this go 'round, given the reprieve they received from Amazon Freevee back in 2022. And he's been maintaining there are still stories to tell; I am sure he's searching for other avenues a bit more this time.

[Adamski]

I agree, @Liberty City 

As the spokesperson for the show, JH must have permission/guidance from Fremantle Media to use language such as 'this chapter' and 'we'd love to see it continue.' That has to be intentional, and am sure there's several discussions ongoing behind the scenes as we speak.