UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle. The agreement comprises 420 30-minute episodes, taking viewers back to the very beginning of the series in 1985 and revisiting the origins of Ramsay Street, where its most iconic characters and relationships were first introduced.
The deal between UKTV and Fremantle was brokered for UKTV by Jimmy Rumble, Global Acquisitions Manager for UKTV and BBC Studios, who reports to Karin Marelle, Global Head of Acquisitions for UKTV and BBC Studios, and by Louise Toner, VP Distribution UK and Ireland, International, for Fremantle.
Spanning the show’s first two years on air, the acquisition captures Neighbours in its earliest and most influential era, as the lives of the Ramsay and Robinson families unfold alongside bachelor Des Clarke in the close‑knit community of Erinsborough. Landmark early storylines include the turbulent relationship and marriage of Des Clarke and Daphne Lawrence; family secrets within the Ramsays, including the revelation that Danny Ramsay is not Max’s biological son; and Jim Robinson’s struggles raising his family as a widowed father. The episodes also see Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell (portrayed by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue) first meet, laying the foundations for one of the show’s most celebrated romances.
Produced by Fremantle, the long‑running Australian favourite joins U’s growing selection of iconic series and nostalgia‑rich titles, representing a major addition to the platform’s evergreen library, significantly expanding the breadth of scripted entertainment available to viewers on U. By bringing one of the world’s most recognisable pieces of global IP to the service, the deal also reinforces UKTV’s wider strategy to complement new and exclusive programming with standout, globally loved brands.
Emma Tibbetts, UKTV’s Director of Programming for Scripted commented:
“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, VP Distribution UK and Ireland, International, for Fremantle, said:
“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 first 115 episodes will launch on U in July, with 5 more episodes added every week until the full early catalogue is available to stream. The series will also air on U&Drama from July.
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Ferris, Corporate Communications Manager - UKTV
Kelly Phelps, Communications Manager – Scripted, UKTV
Shannon Bulmer, Publicist – Scripted, UKTV
About UKTV
UKTV is a leading British broadcaster and content company and the operator of U, its free streaming service in the UK. UKTV operates a portfolio of channel brands spanning comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama. Programmes on its free-to-air brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY and U&eden – are available in the UK via the free streaming service U, as well as through Freeview, Freesat, Freely, Sky, and Virgin Media.
U is the streaming home for UKTV’s free-to-air channel brands in the UK, providing on-demand access to thousands of hours of programming, including original commissions, acquisitions and archive titles.
UKTV’s pay TV brands – U&GOLD and U&alibi – are available in the UK via Sky, Virgin Media and NOW. In Ireland, UKTV channels are available via Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. UKTV also operates dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.
UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity, commissioning original content and working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers across genres.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK’s most-awarded production company and commercial subsidiary of the BBC.
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ABOUT FREMANTLE
Fremantle is a leading global creator, producer and distributor of some of the world’s most successful content across Entertainment, Drama & Film, and Documentaries.
Amplifying local stories on a global scale, Fremantle produces and delivers premium, multi-genre IP across the 27 territories it operates in. Fremantle is a proudly independent group of content creators, and home to some of the biggest entertainment formats, compelling international dramas, award winning films and high quality documentaries.
From Got Talent to Neighbours, Password to Poor Things, Alice & Jack to America the Beautiful, The Lost Ones to Big Moodand Priscilla to House of Kardashian our focus is simple – Fremantle creates and delivers irresistible entertainment.
Fremantle also represents world-leading digital business, with more than 495 million fans and 300 billion views for its standout content across all platforms.
Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, streaming, content and digital, itself a division of the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann.
For more information, please visit , follow Fremantle on Twitter and Instagram or visit Fremantle’s page.