After saying goodbye to Ramsay Street for the final time mere months ago, Neighbours is back!
The beloved series was on screen for more than three decades, attracting not just an Australian fanbase, but a huge audience in the United Kingdom.
But, despite this, the long running weeknight drama was given the boot by British broadcaster Channel 5 after 37 years.
Why you ask?
These three will be returning for 2023!
(IMAGE: Network 10)
As a result of its unique distribution mode, the show heavily relied on UK broadcaster Channel 5 (who purchased the rights to the show from BBC back in 2008 for a reported $300 million pounds).
When Channel 5 decided not to renew its contract to air the show in an effort to redirect funding to its primary lineup, another UK broadcaster was needed to keep Neighbours financially sustainable.
But alas, there were none and audiences farewelled their favourite ‘Neighbours’ after a whopping 9,000 episodes.
WATCH NOW: Neighbours is returning! Article continues after video.
Fast forward six months and a farewell special, Neighbours has been given new life thanks to Amazon Freevee and Prime Video who have purchased the international rights to the show, whilst Network 10 will retain its first run broadcast rights in Australia.
Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer at Paramount Australia and New Zealand, Beverley McGravey revealed the production crew held onto the hope the series would return.
”We are absolutely delighted to welcome Neighbours back home to Network 10, and while we loved the finale earlier this year and appreciated the incredible support from the cast, crew and fans, we continued to hold a small glimmer of hope that one day it would be possible to resume the series”
Meanwhile, Greg Woods, CEO of Fremantle Australia, said: ”We will be going back into this writing room immediately and production from this wonderful series will begin next year.”
”Neighbours has been so important for the Victorian production community, and along with our partners, will provide new opportunities on both sides of the camera. We cannot wait to get started”.
And whilst this news is surely exciting, the cast of the show reportedly found out the happy news when the general public did.
WATCH NOW: Guy Pearce Addresses Return To Neighbours. Article continues after video.
If the former air time is anything to go by, Neighbours will air weeknights at 6:30pm on 10 Peach for Australian audiences and on streaming platform 10Play.
New episodes are expected in the later half of 2023.
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