Across over four decades on our screens, Neighbours became more of an institution in Britain than in its home country of Australia.
It was sold to over 60 countries worldwide – and now the fictional suburb of Erinsborough and the residents of Ramsay Street have a new home.
The soap, which made household names of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and Margot Robbie, aired between 1985 and December last year. During that time it was axed by two networks in its home country, and enjoyed a final run in a partnership with Amazon Prime Video.
It first aired on BBC One in the UK in 1986, before transferring to Channel 5 in 2008. Now, you can tune into classic episodes airing on U&Drama.
From 2pm today (Monday 20 July), and each weekday, you can catch a double bill of Neighbours action.
Don’t expect to see Kylie and Jason just yet. The 1985 season focuses on just two families; the Ramsays and the Robinsons, as well as their bachelor neighbour Des Clarke (Paul Keane) and his new love interest, stripper Daphne Lawrence (Elaine Smith).
At the time, Jason’s role of Scott Robinson was played by Darius Perkins.
This is the first time that the episodes have aired chronologically on British and Irish screens in decades, and has been described as a “landmark deal” between broadcaster UKTV and production company Fremantle Media.
Even better, if you can’t wait to make your way through the episodes as they’re broadcast, the first 115 of the 420 instalments that have been purchased can be streamed on U now. Because of a shared content deal with Channel 4, you can also watch them on their streaming service.
Emma Tibbetts, UKTV’s Director of Programming for scripted content said: “Neighbours is one of television’s most iconic and enduring dramas, and we’re thrilled to bring the back-catalogue to U.
“This acquisition further expands the breadth of scripted entertainment available on our free streaming service, strengthening our growing slate of global IP.
“We can’t wait for both long‑time fans and new audiences to rediscover the series in its entirety.”
Louise Toner, VP Distribution UK and Ireland, International, for Fremantle, added: “Neighbours is a truly iconic series, loved across generations. We’re thrilled to partner with UKTV to bring its classic episodes and unforgettable characters back to audiences old and new.”
In today’s episodes, Danny Ramsay (David Clencie) has a terrible nightmare about his brother Shane (Peter O’Brien), and consults a doctor. He returns home to chaos, as Shane and their neighbour Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) are preparing for Des’s bucks party.
The loud noise and presence of Daphne the stripper ruffles feathers with one resident in particular.
Later, after a night partying, Des receives a terrible shock on his wedding day.
Neighbours airs on U&Drama weekdays at 2pm, or can be streamed on U and Channel 4. Selected iconic episodes and the entirety of 2012-2015 can be watched on Amazon Prime Video now.
Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
