Neighbours’ classic early episodes heading back to TV in major streaming agreement
Fans of the long-running Australian soap will soon be able to revisit the very beginning of Ramsay Street. UKTV has signed an exclusive deal with Fremantle to bring the show’s original back catalogue to screens.
The first two years of the series — a total of 420 episodes — will be available to stream for free starting in July. This run will begin with the very first episode, which originally aired in 1985.
UKTV plans to release the first 115 episodes that month, followed by five additional episodes each week until the full set is complete. The episodes will also be broadcast on U&Drama.
Viewers can look forward to the early adventures of iconic characters including Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell (played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue), along with the founding days of the Ramsay and Robinson families.
Emma Tibbetts, UKTV’s director of scripted programming, 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 from 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.”
The soap originally ran in the UK from 1985 until 2022, when it was cancelled by Channel 5. It was revived on Amazon Freevee in 2023, only to be axed again in 2025, with the final episode broadcast that December.
Despite the most recent finale leaving Ramsay Street facing serious danger, many fans continue to hope for another revival in the future.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, executive producer Jason Herbison explained his approach to the ending: “I always knew that if the show ended, I would have to go a very different way to 2022. There was just no way to compete with the last finale and I needed a fresh angle.
“I also knew that we’d be saying goodbye to our Nunawading Studios shortly after production ceased, meaning any return for the show would require a huge reimagining. So I put those two elements together and decided a threat to the Street was in order.
“I personally believe shorter-run seasons and spin-offs would be a great way for the world to be revisited. I’d love to do rotating seasons of Robinson Towers and Ramsay Hills. Perhaps something might happen with them…”
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.