Neighbours: Great News For Aussie Soap Fans!

Neighbours fans will remember the shock and worry last year as news broke that the long-running Australian soap was struggling to get funding, and therefore may be taken off air.

However, after the topic made news around the world and many petitions were started for the show to stay on air, news broke that Neighbours will remain on screens for a long while to come. Thankfully, British Broadcaster channel 5 decided to renew their contract with Freemantle Media – who produce the soap – therefore keeping the show running and extending it to an all-year-round soap.

However, it’s recently emerged that there was much more to the story. Recent reports state that Neighbours is being funded by taxpayers in Australia, in a government scheme that played a big role in the show not being axed.

Related: Neighbours Spoilers: Tragedy Brings Jack And Paige Together

Australian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley implied that it was the state funding for Neighbours that helped close the deal between Channel 5 and Freemantle Media. Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald Foley stated, “Film Victoria was integral to that re-signing of the deal. [Channel 5] was ‘umming’ and ‘aahing’ for a little while. It’s never one thing that gets the deal over the line, but without Film Victoria I think it would have been problematic.”

According to its website, Film Victoria “…works in partnership with film, television and games practitioners and industries to foster innovation and excellence in projects and people, encourage audience engagement, and promote our unique and diverse state as a filming destination.” So why is this state agent (and therefore the Aussie taxpayer) funding Neighbours?

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The Minister explained, stating “It’s that industrial-scale production that has sustained and given a launch pad to so many people. Not just the obvious names, like Guy [Pearce] and Kylie [Minogue] and so on – but to writers, producers, directors, actors who work on more than 250 episodes every year. It’s such a bedrock of Australian screen production that whatever we can do to sustain it, we will do. We’re obliged to.”

It is no doubt that Neighbours has attracted many people to Australia from all over the world, and brought in a lot of money. So, does this mean it is government policy that Neighbours is too good to fail?! Fans would certainly agree.

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