Amazon cancels Neighbours two years after reviving the iconic soap
The beloved Australian soap opera Neighbours has been axed for the second time, with its final episode set to air in december 2025. The decision follows reports that production company fremantle media was unable to secure a renewed deal with amazon, which had stepped in to save the show in 2022 after its initial cancellation by channel 5.
A statement released on the programme’s social media accounts confirmed the cancellation, bringing an end to a series that has been a staple of australian and british television for four decades. Executive producer Jason Herbison expressed his gratitude to the show’s global audience and acknowledged the success Neighbours had enjoyed in recent years, particularly in the UK.
“Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades, and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years, including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first-ever daytime emmy nomination for outstanding daytime Series in 2024,” he said.
“As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank amazon MGM studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally. We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.”
The long-running soap follows the lives of the residents of Erinsborough, a fictional suburb of Melbourne, and has been a launchpad for numerous actors who went on to international fame, including Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie, and Guy Pearce.
In 2022, Neighbours was originally cancelled by channel 5 after failing to secure new funding, leading to an emotional farewell episode that many believed would be its last. However, just months later, amazon freevee and Fremantle announced they would be reviving the series, much to the delight of devoted fans. The show’s return in 2023 was met with enthusiasm, as it found a new home on amazon freevee in the UK and the US, as well as on Australia’s 10 Peach and the streaming service 10 Play.
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Despite its revival, the series struggled to maintain a sustainable future, culminating in the recent announcement that amazon would not be renewing it beyond 2025. Channel 10, which has aired Neighbours in australia since its inception, expressed its sadness at the news, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “They’ve been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we’re so sad to be saying goodbye. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years.”
Fans of the show have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with many lamenting the loss of a cultural institution that has been a fixture in their lives for decades. Some are still holding out hope that Neighbours could once again be revived by another broadcaster or streaming service, though no such plans have been announced.
As the countdown to the final episode begins, the show’s legacy remains intact. For generations, Neighbours has been more than just a soap opera – it has been a cherished part of television history, providing drama, romance, and community spirit to millions of viewers worldwide. While this may be the end of the road for Ramsay Street for now, the affection and nostalgia surrounding the series ensure that it will never be forgotten.
