BBC’s Neighbours are moving out
BBC1 is to stop showing Neighbours after 21 years following a tense negotiation period between the Corporation and the show’s distributor Fremantle.
The BBC is understood to have become frustrated with Fremantle’s demands after its current contract for the show neared its completion.
In a statement the BBC said: “We have this afternoon formally withdrawn from the bidding for Neighbours. The BBC has had a long and fruitful relationship with Neighbours, which has transmitted on BBC One for 21 years, and this has come to an end because of an unrealistic price demand.
“We do not believe that we could have justified to BBC viewers a price tag of what would have amounted to some £300 million across the term of the contract.”
It said paying that sum would also have “compromised its ability to invest in new original programmes” and added: “We made a fair offer and are sad that we have not been able to reach terms with Fremantle.”
It is not yet known who will pick up the Australian soap, but ITV and Five are both reported to be interested in it.
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