Maljonic
Can't get enough of FH
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2003
- Messages
- 1,297
The fools, it's the best thing on TV! The BBC viewer ratings with drop off the scales for half an hour twice a day if ITV get their hands on it.
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2486974.ece
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2486974.ece
The Independent said:BBC threatens to drop Neighbours after 21 years
By Anita Singh, PA Showbusiness Editor
Published: 26 April 2007
The BBC is threatening to drop daytime show Neighbours after 21 years, it said today. The Corporation is currently in the middle of negotiations to renew its contract but it has accused distributor Fremantle of making " unrealistic and greedy" demands.
The breakdown of contract talks will open the way for ITV and Five to bid for the Aussie soap.
BBC director of acquisitions George McGhee told Broadcast magazine: "If a deal is not reached in the very, very near future, we will withdraw the money and move it elsewhere.
"We've made a good offer which is about to be withdrawn."
An insider said the demands were "unrealistic and greedy".
The BBC pays about £25,000 per episode but Fremantle are reportedly seeking a rise to more than £70,000.
Neighbours is the most popular show on terrestrial daytime television, other than the BBC1 lunchtime news.
It has aired twice a day on BBC1 since 1986.
Landing the show would be a coup for ITV1, which has struggled at teatime since losing Home And Away to Five and Paul O'Grady to Channel 4.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "We hope that Neighbours will remain on the BBC but no programme is indispensable and it has to come at the right price."