I would imagine UTV will definately show it - if ITV are spending that amount of money per episode they wouldnt like it if one region was to opt out.
As for the old episodes of Neighbours it would depend it they got the right for them - they may only get the rights for the current ones. Also ITV3 didnt take the Corrie repeats after Granada Plus closed down so I wouldnt bank on it!
:-(
A former member
but the Corrie repeats where in the late 90;s when the finsed so there might be anothere reason thier
According to Digital Spy, the BBC's bid of £70,000 an episode was rejected! A BBC insider has called Fremantle's demands "unrealistic and greedy". It's looking increasingly likely that next year we'll be tuning in (or not, as the case may be) to Neighbours on ITV.
Good news all round IMO - well, except for people who still like Neigbours because it's only it's international appeal which is keeping it alive in Australia.
It'll force the BBC to give their afternoon schedules the shake up it requires (though I suspect as a result CBBC will move to BBC2), while if ITV take Neighbours we should be spared yet another attempt from them at an home grown soap opera.
In view of the fact that fans will still get to see Neighbours in the UK it doesn't really matter which channel it's on.
Freemantle are asking an enormous increase in the price (nearly 200% per episode) and the BBC should be looking to save money where they can, but it raises the obvious issue of how much it would cost to fill those two 25 minute gaps in the weekday schedule without resorting to repeats of 70s sitcoms.
It would be a disaster for the BBC to lose Neighbours as:
Firstly, the BBC recognises that Neighbours connects with that teenage/twentysomething bracket that normally leave the BBC for Channel 4 until their mid-thirties. Michael Grade said the very same when I met him last year and has obviously taken the view that Neighbours could help ITV arrest its decline in popularity among younger viewers (their stats show terrible decline).
Second, the BBC will have to pay to fill the gap (1 hour per day) which is risky as ITV learned after losing Home and Away. Besides that, it's expensive as Doctors costs at least £80k per episode (am I correct?)
Overall, a bad move for the BBC who have lost live TV football and now Neighbours - just what have they got that appeals to those licence fee payers who aren't greying and adorned with umpteen kids who indulge their cbeebies offering?
Firstly, the BBC recognises that Neighbours connects with that teenage/twentysomething bracket that normally leave the BBC for Channel 4 until their mid-thirties. Michael Grade said the very same when I met him last year and has obviously taken the view that Neighbours could help ITV arrest its decline in popularity among younger viewers (their stats show terrible decline).
I've got two teenage sons, and consequently dozens of them are in and out of our house most evenings. They're not interested in Neighbours, in fact they're not interested in TV, period ! (and good for them )
Grade seems to be self deluded, stems back 20 years to when his daughter suggested to him to instate the 17:30 repeat showing
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