MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:00:32| >> :600:103877930:103877930:

Channel 5 confirms Christmas break for Neighbours

Channel 5 confirms that Neighbours will take a break this Christmas in a move that will extend further the delay between UK and Australian transmissions.

Channel 5 has confirmed that Neighbours will go off the air for almost a fortnight over the Christmas period.

Since 2016 the broadcaster has aired new episodes on the same day as their transmission in Australia and under a new funding deal agreed in 2018, the soap also moved to full year-round production, signalling the end of the traditional Christmas break.

Earlier this year, however, Channel 5 opted to start rationing episodes of the soap due to the coronavirus pandemic and as a result, UK viewers are now around three weeks behind their Aussie counterparts.

That gap is now set to get even larger with the news that the soap will go off air on Channel 5 on Wednesday, December 23 and not return until Monday, January 4, 2021.

A spokesperson told the Radio Times: "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties surrounding production, Channel 5 took a precautionary measure to reduce the number of Neighbours episodes earlier this year, ensuring that dedicated viewers could enjoy the soap for as long as possible.

"Currently, Channel 5's full schedule means it is unlikely that we will be able to catch up with the transmission of episodes in Australia in the near future. Neighbours will return to UK screens on the 4th January 2021, and we hope that viewers will continue to enjoy watching Neighbours with the profound affection that we know many of them hold for the soap."

Earlier this year the soap celebrated 35 years on the air and ranks as the longest-running drama series in the history of Australian TV.

ID:424710: cacheID:424710:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2551:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Limited-Time Offer: Get Sky Cinema, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £27 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 21st March 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
Benny Turland as Hendrix Greyson in Neighbours
Read Next:
Neighbours resumes filming with social distancing
>
Read more about Neighbours Entertainment
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Friday, March 15


Celebrity Big Brother: Live Eviction: ITV1, 9pm
With just one week to go, time to get whittling down those numbers further...

Comic Relief: Funny For Money: BBC One, from 7pm
Hosts include Davina McCall, David Tennant, Joel Dommett - and for the last time ever, Sir Lenny Henry

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World: BBC Three, 9pm
Motsi Mabuse, Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec guest star for this week's challenge - Strictly Come Prancing...

Coronation Street: ITV1, 8pm
Roy is arrested on suspicion of the murder of Lauren Bolton