“Returning home”: Seven swoops on Neighbours in new deal
Updated: Seven boss has thrown Neighbours a lifeline in its hour of need -37 years after it first debuted on the network.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Neighbours has been thrown a lifeline, heading back to Channel Seven, 37 years after it first premiered on the network.
In a stunning new deal, Seven has swooped on the iconic soap to begin a new chapter for the Ramsay Street serial.
It was Seven which first debuted the series in 1985 before 10 picked up the series in 1986, but it will return to 7Plus in a bold streaming investment in local drama.
“Everybody needs good Neighbours,” said CEO James Warburton, “and the much-loved drama has no better friend than 7Plus.
“We are proud to welcome the show back home to the network where it all began.
“Fans will continue to see the loves and lives of Toadie, Dr. Karl & Susan, Paul Robinson and everybody in Erinsborough, in coming months. Together with Home & Away Seven is now home to a legacy of 70 years of iconic Australian drama.”
Seven’s bold move comes after Channel 5 signalled the show would cease broadcasting, and 10 advised it could not continue without a British partner.
James Warburton struck a deal with Fremantle to fully fund the series by absorbing costs as part of Home & Away‘s production output -but it will result in startling new changes across the soapie universe.
Seven’s Chief Content Officer of Entertainment Angus Ross said Erinsborough will join the fictional ‘Yabbie Creek’ as a new surfside town to Summer Bay, opening up both to crossover storylines.
“It will be soapie heaven for drama fans,” he teased.
“I can’t give too much away but you can expect to see Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) side by flamin’ side on screen with Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) for the very first time, Irene (Lynne McGranger) working at Lassiters and Toadie (Ryan Moloney) in the Summer Bay surf shop.
“There’s no end to the possibilities of storylines, romances, and TV weddings.
“I can also reveal former Home & Away star Dannii Minogue will make her Neighbours debut as a long-lost Robinson relative, continuing soapie royalty tradition.”
A key piece of Seven’s business plan is to offer British fans a special 7Plus “Perfect Blend” streaming subscription. To get around the geo-blocking fans will need to recite the lyrics to Especially For You and have a River Boys “Blood & Sand” tattoo emblazoned across their chest.
7Plus is set to debut the new Neighbours era on August 1st -exactly 4 months after April 1st.
“It’s going to be bigger than Bouncer’s dream!” Ross added.
Updated: Yup, annual April Fool’s Day post.
Share
- Tagged with Home & Away, Neighbours
136 Responses
This isn’t funny!
You shouldn’t be allowed to post something like this!! Very disappointing!
Wow, it might just work!!
Then we can have Blue Heelers meet City Homicide, Prisoner meets Wentworth, Young Doctors meets All Saints….
I’m a massive fan of your work, David, but I really do think that this was in poor taste. Yes, it’s April Fools’ Day, but I think this was a case of “too soon”. The pain is real for those who have lost their jobs and although I’m far less concerned for fans of the show (of which I am one of the biggest), it’s a little distasteful to get their hopes up when the disappointment is still so fresh and raw. People who don’t care about the show itself or the job losses will loudly complain about how seriously some here are taking it, but we’re all here because we love TV, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that some people are very sensitive when the topic of a show that’s been around for nearly four decades is coming to an end comes up. In the grand scheme of things, this is a trivial event, but in this case, the joke wasn’t overly funny. In my opinion (and it’s just that – an opinion), this was an incredibly rare misstep by an incredibly talented commentator.
Bloody brilliant April Fools Day post. Well played David.
It’s a very cruel April fools joke this year. I fell for it right to the end .
Love how each time you read it that it just gets more and more absurd. Just highlights how people just take in the headline and gloss over the detail.
Now after reading all the comments, I’ve made up my mind. I’m closing the curtains on April Fools Day. I always felt uncomfortable about it, and in recent years no one was in the mood for it. I know pranks had been a staple on Japanese TV, and shows like Just Kidding, Just For Laughs Gags, Surprise Surprise Gotcha and the radio etc. Quite a few of the pranks went wrong or backfired. And it’s not good to make a fool of others. Pranks had their time but for me I’m shelving April Fools forever. This is serious and not a prank itself as I’m posting after midday, if anyone is thinking that.
That’s mean to post when I am a fan of neighbours
Can’t believe all the comments saying its poor taste. I think it’s a great April Fools gag. People need to laugh a little. Cmon. Nice one David.
Horrible April fools joke. Shame on you. Shame.
It was a nice thought, but I knew after the first paragraph, I thought what is today’s date then realised, this must be your annual AF post.
Neighbours and Home and Away are whitewashed rubbish. It’s good to know that Neighbours is going but hopefully Home and Away won’t be far behind. We need to replaced them with something that actually represents Australian multiculturalism and doesn’t pander to the fantasies of racism and white supremacy.
Oh my…just came online today…totally bought this…thought the 108 comments were fans….the comments made me read it….Then I got to the tattoo bit 😮🙄🤪😁
great April Fool joke. thumbs up!
This is good news but if this is a joke then I not going to be happy I love Neighbours and I am sad to see it go off air so I hope this isn’t a joke that you are do to the Neighbours fans. I been watching Neighbours all my life.
Wow, so many people upset with you David.
I’ve known from your posts how supportive you have been to the TV industry and realise that you would have thought long and hard about posting this.
I know that people are losing their jobs, but that’s not your fault.
Thanks again for your TV blog!
Ok ok so we all make mistakes some bigger some smaller. Hindsight is a wonderous thing. After reading all the comments, and just now the Twitter comments, I wanted to touch base with David and hope you are okay after all the abuse. Again, not defending anyone and I do understand how people feel about losing yet another wonderful Aussie show and all those jobs. I just feel a little worried for someone who usually brings so much joy to many people through this site. A little kindness can go a long way in times like this.
I echo your sentiments and wishes for David, Jude. We are living in an age where nothing is insult proof it seems. I’ve been coming here for 14 years and David Knox is one impassioned Australian TV advocate and fan. His tireless and successful website has been built on that passion and that pursuit of quality journalism and diversity of storytelling. I understand the sensitivity for folks who will find themselves without contracts imminently, but as with every Australian and international worker, we are at the mercy of markets, changes and in this case funding. Calling out or cancelling David on this, is not only unhelpful, it doesn’t foster freedom of speech or dare I say, comedy. From my interactions with David online, he is a most serious and considered soul. He wouldn’t have recklessly thrown this in. It was an April Fool’s Joke. There are a lot of travesties being perpetuated in the world today, this is not one of them. Peace out.
Well said, Jude.
I think you put enough “funny stuff” in the article to prove it was an April Fools joke if you read it from start to finish. But you can’t appease everyone…
Was overjoyed when I saw the headline. Became dismayed when I found it’s an April Fools Day joke. Can understand why it was posted, a good gag. But wasn’t impressed that it was about Neighbours.