Neighbours ‘axed’ again as Amazon makes huge U-turn on revival after just two years
Neighbours has been axed for the second time in three years, with Amazon pulling the plug on the Australian soap less than two years after reviving it.
The long-running series will end production this summer, with the final episode set to air at the end of 2025.
The cancellation comes just as the beloved show celebrates its 40th birthday, following production company Fremantle’s failure to secure a new deal with Amazon.
A source told The Sun: “Amazon gave Fremantle two years to see if it worked but sadly they just didn’t get the viewers.”
The streaming giant reportedly informed Fremantle that their venture into soaps had not been successful, leading to the withdrawal of funding.
“It’s a really sad day, especially for the cast and crew who work on the show in Melbourne. This really is the end of Neighbours just as it’s celebrated its 40th birthday,” the source added.
This marks the second major cancellation for Neighbours, which was previously axed by Channel 5 in 2022 after 37 years on British television.
The show’s initial finale featured appearances from A-list alumni including Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce.
Amazon Freevee announced a revival just four months after the supposed final episode, with new episodes beginning to stream worldwide in September 2023.
The series originally launched on BBC One in 1986, though it briefly faced cancellation by Seven Network before being picked up by Network 10.
Before the show’s final departure, viewers can look forward to a week-long 40th anniversary celebration in March
The milestone will feature several familiar faces returning to Erinsborough, including Anne Charleston in a new role as Harold Bishop’s love interest.
Harold Bishop, played by Ian Smith, will begin an emotional exit storyline during the celebrations.
The anniversary programming will also include a dramatic stunt and a wedding.
The Australian television landscape has seen Neighbours consistently outperformed by rival soap Home and Away.
Ratings for Neighbours have declined significantly over the past 25 years, dropping from an average of 946,000 viewers in 2001 to 337,000 in 2011.
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Fans of the soap opera were quick to take to X to share their devastation over the show’s second axing, as one penned: “Just heard that #Neighbours is being axed again. I am beyond gutted.”
“Not sure I can go through this again,” another said before a third added: “Neighbours axed again?! Wow.”
A fourth expressed: “I’ll never get how Home and Away is still vibing along when they’ve axed Neighbours twice. It’s always been the superior Australian soap.”
“After a hellish personal 14 months, I refuse point blank to accept that they will try to take from me AGAIN!!! It’s sometimes the only 20 minutes in the day I can escape. Absolutely blooming well not!!” another unimpressed viewer moaned. (sic)
Other fans also shared their concern that they won’t be able to get the “perfect” ending that the show was given last time.