Could Neighbours go to Five of ITV?

[RitaLittlewood]

New owners getting greedy more like. Grundy isn't the big fish it once was and Neighbours is the only thing of note for export they still make.

Patsy

[sallywebster]

ritalittlewood said:

Lane didn't say that. She's guessing. But there's no doubt it's not as good as it was in it's heyday.

Patsy

I know. I was replying to your comments not Lane's.

[sallywebster]

lanekent said:

I've seen figures where it has been as low as 2 million at 5:35pm at night, however it is true I couldn't tell you what context that is in as I wasn't paying a lot of attention, so it depends what it was up against I guess as Patsy says.

True about the 18 million being a combined audience, I read that back and realise I'd worded it badly implying 18 million at 5:35, which I don't believe was ever the case.

Whichever way up, the audience Neighbours gets today it isn't worth the BBC forking out megabucks if ITV and FIVE want to spend lots and Grundy decide to get greedy. ITV2 and FIVE have everything to gain. The BBC not a lot to loose whatever they choose. BBC2 does the big business for them in the teatime slot. Perhaps they can move the programming around.

The makers Grundy are the ones to loose big time really as it will half their audience if they sell to anyone other than the BBC. However perhaps they won't care about that? Perhaps all they care about is the money.

Anyway this is a whole year off yet, it will be interesting to see what happens in the fullness of time.

Yes, I could see them moving The Weakest Link to BBC1 if they were to lose Neighbours.

[Lane Kent]

I was just looking at BBC1's Top 30. Even combined Neighbours doesn't even make the Top 30. I'm shocked at that. I didn't even realise it was as dire as that. They haven't for a while by the looks. The 30th show for BBC1 in the latest ratings only have 3.79 million. So if Neighbours can't even get that with two showings the BBC will not be interested in paying over the odds.

All viewers can hope is the makers don't get too greedy.

[sallywebster]

This makes a move all the more likely IMO. I would prefer Five to get it over ITV though.

[Lane Kent]

Actually I now remember when the BBC negotiated their last contact for Neighbours there was a big hoo-ha beccause a report was leaked saying that it may be the last one they would sign as they were already looking for alternatives to replace Neighbours. Fearing that the Australian bubble was beginning to burst (this was in the last 3-5 years, can't remember exactly when). Does anyone else remember reading it? There was a panic and the BBC assured viewers they had Neighbours for a good while yet and they wouldn't definately be getting rid of it, however they didn't deny either that they were looking at alternatives.

I was thinking why don't the BBC buy and move it to BBC2. It would do well on there as it certainly still has a loyal audience. Again I suppose it depends how greedy the makers are.

FIVE would treat it better than ITV.

[sallywebster]

If they moved it to BBC2 though they wouldnt be able to justify spending that amount of money on it I wouldnt have thought, as BBC2 is a less watched channel than BBC1.

[Lane Kent]

That is very true Jez. It is going to be very interesting to see what happens.

[RitaLittlewood]

I don't remember reading that. But there's a new DG AGAIN since then so who knows?

Patsy

[sallywebster]

Looks like ITV will get Neighbours?

From http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk:
ITV has entered advanced negotiations with Fremantle Media to acquire Neighbours and is understood to have offered up to four times the amount currently paid by the BBC.

[RitaLittlewood]

Michael Grade's decision? ITV are greedy bastards. Always want what others have because they put on so much crap.

Patsy

[Lane Kent]

This is what Digital Spy say. I want to know where they are getting the 7 million viewers from because surely if it was getting that the BBC would be desperate to hang onto it as that would rank it in their top 5. It can't even be a combined audience because neither episode are making the BBC's top 30 and one of them would have to be making at least 3.5-4.0 million viewers surely?

Freemantle are greedy. ITV are idiots. They ditched Home and Away and think 7 years later they can recapture the glory by buying Neighbours, when the Australian bubble has burst. We probably can blame ITV for that too. They used to have a lot of Australian soaps and by ditching Home and Away and not acquiring any other Australian programmes, it has left Neighbours on its own to float in mainstream.

www.digitalspy.co.uk/programming/a45467/report-itv-makes-gbp20m-bid-for-neighbours.html
Report: ITV makes £20m bid for 'Neighbours'
Thursday, April 19 2007, 16:26 BST

By Neil Wilkes, Editor
ITV is in "advanced negotiations" with Fremantle to poach Neighbours from the BBC, according to Broadcast.

The broadcaster is thought to have offered Fremantle around £80,000 per episode, four times that of the BBC. The deal would value the Aussie soap, which has a UK audience of 7 million, at more than £20 million a year.

The magazine reports that Fremantle was ready to accept ITV's offer earlier this week but could not finalise terms on additional rights, such as VOD and broadband.

George McGhee, director of acquisitions at the BBC, said that he was still in discussions over renewing the existing deal. "Fremantle will ultimately do what it wants to do," he said. "I'm sure ITV would like to have it but would that be best for Neighbours?"

------------------
www.barb.co.uk

BBC1 Individuals - w/e 08/04/2007
Programme Millions
1 EASTENDERS (MON 2000) 9.22
2 EASTENDERS (TUE 1930) 9.06
3 EASTENDERS (FRI 1959) 8.26
4 EASTENDERS (THU 1930) 7.94
5 DOCTOR WHO (SAT 1859) 7.23
6 MY FAMILY (FRI 2030) 6.65
7 LIFE ON MARS (TUE 2100) 6.39
8 CASUALTY (SAT 2112) 6.35
9 GEORGE GENTLY (SUN 2059) 6.33
10 ANY DREAM WILL DO (SAT 1946) 6.03
11 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (WED 2200) 5.90
12 HOLBY CITY (TUE 2001) 5.71
13 THE NATIONAL LOTTERY PEOPLE'S QUIZ (SAT 2052) 5.46
14 HOTEL BABYLON (THU 2100) 5.34
15 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (TUE 2200) 5.00
16 THE APPRENTICE (WED 2059) 4.98
17 STARSKY & HUTCH (FRI 2100) 4.92
18 CRIMEWATCH UK (MON 2101) 4.90
19 WATERLOO ROAD (THU 2001) 4.85
20 BBC NEWS (SAT 2201) 4.81
21 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (THU 2200) 4.70
22 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (MON 2200) 4.65
23 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (TUE 1800) 4.13
24 ORANGUTAN DIARY (THU 1900) 4.12
25 BBC NEWS AND WEATHER (SUN 2230) 3.95
26 ORANGUTAN DIARY (TUE 1859) 3.89
27 CAR WARS (WED 2029) 3.70
28 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (MON 1800) 3.68
29 WATCHDOG (WED 1959) 3.68
30 ORANGUTAN DIARY (FRI 1900) 3.64

BBC1 - w/e 21/01/2007
Programme Millions
1 EASTENDERS (TUE 1932) 10.49
2 EASTENDERS (MON 2001) 10.08
3 EASTENDERS (THU 1929) 9.86
4 EASTENDERS (FRI 2000) 9.67
5 CASUALTY (SAT 2021) 7.85
6 WAKING THE DEAD (SUN 2100) 7.85
7 HOLBY CITY (TUE 2000) 6.81
8 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (THU 2200) 6.73
9 JUDGE JOHN DEED (THU 2059) 6.71
10 JUDGE JOHN DEED (TUE 2059) 6.60
11 WAKING THE DEAD (MON 2100) 6.57
12 BBC NEWS AND WEATHER (SUN 2200) 6.11
13 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (THU 1800) 6.08
14 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (FRI 1800) 5.61
15 BBC NEWS (SAT 2211) 5.51
16 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (TUE 2200) 5.37
17 WATCHDOG (TUE 1901) 5.31
18 NEW TRICKS (SAT 2112) 5.28
19 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (TUE 1800) 5.23
20 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (MON 1800) 5.22
21 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (WED 1800) 4.96
22 THE NATIONAL LOTTERY - 1 VS 100 (SAT 1931) 4.95
23 WATERLOO ROAD (THU 1959) 4.93
24 A QUESTION OF SPORT (FRI 1900) 4.88
25 JUST FOR LAUGHS (SAT 1810) 4.64
26 CLIMATE CHANGE - BRITAIN UNDER THREAT (SUN 1959) 4.50
27 BBC NEWS (SUN 1725) 4.49
28 MATCH OF THE DAY LIVE (WED 1930) 4.49
29 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (MON 2200) 4.44
30 AFTER YOU'VE GONE (FRI 2030) 4.32

BBC1 - w/e 19/02/2006
Programme Millions
1 EASTENDERS (MON 2001) 11.28
2 EASTENDERS (TUE 1931) 10.46
3 EASTENDERS (FRI 2000) 10.28
4 CASUALTY (SAT 2021) 7.77
5 HOLBY CITY (TUE 2001) 6.96
6 LIFE ON MARS (MON 2100) 6.56
7 EASTENDERS (THU 1931) 6.49
8 SEASIDE RESCUE (THU 2000) 5.90
9 JUDGE JOHN DEED (FRI 2029) 5.59
10 MATCH OF THE DAY LIVE (SAT 1209) 5.21
11 BBC NEWS (SUN 1755) 5.08
12 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (WED 2200) 5.00
13 SUPER VETS (THU 2029) 4.95
14 MATCH OF THE DAY LIVE (SUN 1820) 4.92
15 A QUESTION OF SPORT (THU 1900) 4.91
16 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (MON 1800) 4.84
17 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (MON 2200) 4.80
18 ON THE FIDDLE? (MON 2030) 4.71
19 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (TUE 1800) 4.70
20 WATCHDOG (TUE 1900) 4.54
21 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (THU 1800) 4.53
22 HOTEL BABYLON (THU 2059) 4.52
23 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (WED 1800) 4.43
24 CAR WARS (WED 2100) 4.40
25 MATCH OF THE DAY LIVE (SAT 1729) 4.34
26 SIX O'CLOCK NEWS (FRI 1759) 4.32
27 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (TUE 2200) 4.29
28 HOLIDAY (MON 1859) 4.15
29 TEN O'CLOCK NEWS (FRI 2159) 4.14
30 FILM: THE BONE COLLECTOR (SAT 2112) 4.04

[Lane Kent]

While they all play games, the fans suffer.

[sallywebster]

I agree the aussie soap bubble has burst, although Home and Away is still excellent and easily my 2nd fave show after Corrie at the moment.

There used to be several Aussie soaps in the 80s/early 1990s and most of them ended up on ITV in the afternoons but now there is only Neighbours and Home and Away left. Home and Away is far better - I was watching an ep of Neighbours this week and I couldnt believe how rubbish some of the scenes were.

[sootycat]

I have to say it does seem to have lost it's way.

Maybe this re-vamp and cast clear out will improve matters.

[sootycat]

From Digital Spy And TV Plus Today.


The BBC could be about to withdraw from negotiations for Australian soap Neighbours.

Last week, it was reported that rival ITV was in "advanced negotiations" with distributor Fremantle, and considering paying £80,000 an episode to acquire the soap. Though ITV insiders have said it could not finalise terms on additional rights, such as VOD and broadband.

The BBC has called Fremantle's demands "unrealistic and greedy", after its offer of around £70,000 an episode was rejected. The BBC currently pays £25,000 an episode for the soap.

BBC director of acquisitions George McGhee told Broadcast: "If a deal is not reached in the very, very near future, we will withdraw the money and move it elsewhere. We quite possibly will ."

Five, owned by German media giant RTL which also owns Fremantle, is also believed to interested in acquiring the programme.

I didn't realise it was happening so soon.

[Lane Kent]

I think the BBC have rights to show Neighbours into 2008 Sooty however had to negotiate now to continue beyond that point. I suspect it is no longer worth the BBC's money just as Channel 4 couldn't justify paying out big sums for Lost when they said its audience was dwindling drastically. However the minority channels are able to take bigger gambles and don't need to obtain such high audiences to justify their spending.

If Freemantle are not careful they may find by 2,010 it won't even be worth their while making Neighbours anymore considering I believe it is struggling in its own country.

I must confess I've never followed Neighbours. I was more of a Home and Away fan and followed that quite religiously from 1989-1992. Haven't watched either of them in years. I would of liked to of caught up with Home and Away about the time ITV took it off air so that was the end of that. And I would be interested in the character Matha Stewart, and when Morag and other past characters returned but I've missed too much now to persue it.

[sallywebster]

lanekent said:

I think the BBC have rights to show Neighbours into 2008 Sooty however had to negotiate now to continue beyond that point. I suspect it is no longer worth the BBC's money just as Channel 4 couldn't justify paying out big sums for Lost when they said its audience was dwindling drastically. However the minority channels are able to take bigger gambles and don't need to obtain such high audiences to justify their spending.

If Freemantle are not careful they may find by 2,010 it won't even be worth their while making Neighbours anymore considering I believe it is struggling in its own country.

I must confess I've never followed Neighbours. I was more of a Home and Away fan and followed that quite religiously from 1989-1992. Haven't watched either of them in years. I would of liked to of caught up with Home and Away about the time ITV took it off air so that was the end of that. And I would be interested in the character Matha Stewart, and when Morag and other past characters returned but I've missed too much now to persue it.

I heard the BBC have the rights until the end of 2008 although im not sure whether that is correct?

Have to say I wouldnt blame the BBC if they did take it off. Its down to the success of Neighbours on the BBC in the UK that has prevented the show being axed years ago. Lane you are quite right, it is struggling in Oz. So I can see why the BBC are annoyed that they want so much per episode for Neighbours in future.

I was more of a Neighbours fan in the late 1980s and for me it has never been the same since people like Charlene, Scott, Daphne etc left (that is going back many years). Home and Away has been my favourite of the two soaps since the early 1990s and currently Home and Away is excellent and wipes the floor with Neighbours. Lane, I would recommend watching Home and Away on Five, although the character of Martha Mackenzie/Stuart is probabably one of the worst in the show - Morag is fab though but only a guest character so isnt there all the time. Alf and Sally are still in it and characters like Irene, Coleen and Leah have been there for ages. Most of the other cast stay about 2-3 years and then move on though. Home and Away is my 2nd favourite show after Corrie.

[Nick]

It said on todays teletext that if something isn't sorted in the next few days BBC will stop showing Neighbours from the end of next week

[sallywebster]

Be interesting to see what happens next then. I wonder what they would replace it with - repeats probably!

[Lane Kent]

I wondered if they would try that old tactic. Dallas anyone? After the news coverage today I'm getting deja vu. In the 80s in the middle of Dallas's 6th season. Thames TV outbid the BBC for season 7. The BBC stopped showing seaso 6 saying they would run the episodes head to head with Thames Season 7. Their logic the public would want to stick with the BBC episodes before jumping to a later season. There was a huge outcry. ITV regions backed the BBC over Thames. A video company started releasing the episodes to buy. The fans were mad and in the end the BBC won. Only difference from then and now is that Dallas was still at its peek, Neighbours is yesterday's news!

[sallywebster]

And also now all the ITV regions are owned by ITV PLC - well all the ones in England and Wales apart from Channel anyway!

I didnt realise that about Dallas, Lane. I never watched it as I was only young at the time.

[Lane Kent]

I wondered if they would try that tactic. Dallas/BBC/Thames anyone? Only difference Dallas was at its peek, Neighbours is yesterday's news.

[sallywebster]

I assume it is the ITV Network Centre that will be buying the series rather than ITV PLC (who own the majority of regions?), otherwise the show wouldnt be shown on STV, UTV and Channel who arent owned by ITV PLC?

[Lane Kent]

I want to apologize for doing a double post. I was doing it through my mobile and it said it hadn't posted properly so I thought it hadn't gone through, especially as my mobile then didn't refresh the page. So sorry. To delete the double post now would look silly as Jez has responded to both. So I am explaining why I look silly.