Despite an announcement last month that the long-running sitcom will be cancelled, Network 10 hasn’t given up hope of renewing Neighbours.
Variety Australia reported on Thursday that the network that aired the show for 37 years believes it still has a future.
Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer and executive vice president of Network 10’s parent company, Paramount ANZ, expressed ‘faint hope’ that the soap will be able to fix its financial problems.
‘Unfortunately, we won’t be able to continue until they find international partners…’ There have been numerous attempts to restructure things and figure out how to do so,’ she said.
‘Now, maybe I’m an optimist, but I’m still holding out hope that they’ll find another partner someday, and we’d love to continue to be the Australian partner,’ she added.
The termination of Neighbours was a “devastating loss” for the Australian entertainment sector, according to McGarvey.
‘No matter how you slice it, Neighbours is still a loss, and one that we’re heartbroken over.’ ‘We didn’t want that to happen,’ she continued.
In March, the series tweeted that production on the long-running soap will be ending.
‘After over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes broadcast, we regret to inform you that Neighbours will be ending production in June,’ they wrote.
‘Following the loss of our important broadcast partner in the United Kingdom, and despite a thorough search for alternative funding, we have no choice but to put the show on hold.’
‘We know this is a big disappointment to our amazing, dedicated fans, as it is to all of us on the team. We appreciate all of your messages and support, and we pledge to end the programme on a positive note. We’ll be commemorating Neighbours from now on.’
In a statement to Australian media in March, Network 10 said that ending the series was a “tough decision.”
‘Today, Fremantle revealed that Neighbours will end production in June, following over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes,’ a representative for the network said.
‘This tough choice was made after an unsuccessful search for an alternate UK broadcast partner.’
They went on to say that the show would ‘not air on 10 Peach after September 2022,’ thereby ending its decades-long run.
‘It has been a cornerstone of Australian television drama and Australian cultural exports for almost 35 years,’ they stated.
‘Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a world-famous cul-de-sac that has housed Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David, and a slew of other residents.
‘Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, production team, and Fremantle for bringing the ideal blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and throughout the world,’ said the network.
Meanwhile, the soap’s production firm, Fremantle, said it had been unable to find ‘alternative finance’ for the season.
‘It is with sadness that we confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June, after over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes broadcast,’ they said in a statement.
‘We presently have no choice but to put the show on hold following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, despite our efforts to find other funding.’
On Monday, August 1, Australia and the United Kingdom will see the final episode of Neighbours.
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