Amazon has pulled the plug on its revival series of Australian soapNeighboursafter two seasons, leaving many questioning whether this was the most pointless series rescue ever. Having been on screens for almost 40 years, the long-running soap was originally axed in 2022, and saw out the final episode with a huge number of cameo appearances by many of the familiar faces who have been given their big break on the show over the years. Soon after that, Amazon Freevee agreed to pick up the series and bring it back to screens less than a year after its cancelation, making the huge celebratory series ending redundant. Now, it looks like fans have been disappointed once again.
The high-profile finale in 2022 included appearances by pop star Kylie Minogue andactors Guy Pearceand Margot Robbie, among others, and the viewership of that episode rocketed to a height the show had not seen for many years. Whether that was part of Amazon’s decision to save it is unclear, but it appears that the series has not been performing well enough to continue beyond its current run of episodes and will come to an end this year.
For decades,Neighboursentertained audiences with the usual “soapy” stories of everyday life in the fictional cul-de-sac of Erinsborough. Created by Reg Watson, it first aired in 1985, quickly becoming a popular export and a launching pad for many careers. WhenNeighboursinitially found itself on the chopping block in 2022—due to Channel 5 pulling its funding—fans were understandably devastated. Amazon’s surprising revival initially seemed to pay off, with initial viewership suggesting that nostalgia-fueled watchers were flocking to see what Amazon’s cash could do for the show.
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With the second cancelation confirmed, cast members, production staff, and fans are once again left in exactly the same position they were in just a few years ago. Having seen the show’s demise once, being put through the ringer again is a cruel blow, but possibly not all that surprising given the way streaming is even more brutal than the challenges of network television.
Although Amazon hasn’t laid out every reason for the decision, reports indicate that viewership data didn’t meet internal targets. There is also the imminent disbandment of Freevee as a stand-alone service, and the shifting priorities of Amazon to consider. Other rumors have suggested a mix of budgeting challenges, licensing requirements for worldwide distribution, andAmazon’s quest for content with a higher world profileall contributed to the outcome.
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Now that Amazon has canceled the series a second time, it is almost certain that the run of episodes taking it to the end of 2025 will be the last. It is unlikely that the show will get the same kind of sendoff this time around, and will instead simply dwindle off into the Australian sunset without much fanfare. How many fans stick with it now that they know the writing is on the wall remains to be seen, but in the long run, it isn’t going to make much difference with the fate of the show being already sealed.
Neighbours
