{"id":18326,"date":"2022-07-11T22:00:56","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T20:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1679510"},"modified":"2022-07-11T22:24:14","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T20:24:14","slug":"neighbours-money-better-spent-on-uk-shows-says-channel-5-boss","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/neighbours-money-better-spent-on-uk-shows-says-channel-5-boss\/","title":{"rendered":"Neighbours money \u2018better spent\u2019 on UK shows, says Channel 5 boss"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Laura Denby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 11 July 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Channel 5 boss Ben Frow has spoken out on Neighbours<\/a>\u2018 axing, saying that funds for the Australian soap can be \u201cbetter spent\u201d on UK programming.<\/p>\n

Frow was speaking exclusively to Radio Times Magazine,<\/strong> and you\u2019ll be able to read the interview in its entirety when the magazine\u2019s latest issue is released tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Discussing the decision to bring Neighbours to an end<\/a>, the channel\u2019s controller explains that it was \u201ca business decision\u201d.<\/p>\n

Asked whether there was a point where Frow could have put in more money to continue making the show for its UK audience, he says that was certainly one option; before elaborating on the alternative choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he replies. \u201cOr I could spend the money on other things, which is what I decided to do. I can better spend the Neighbours money on UK shows.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the subject of the only remaining Australian soap, Home and Away, is broached, is this show also under threat? Frow says not. \u201cNo. But I think it will be interesting to see what we do with it as we evolve.<\/p>

\u201cThere might be somewhere else to put it in the 5 spectrum. But it\u2019s a life-of-series deal, so it\u2019s not going anywhere until the makers decide to cancel it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frow\u2019s reflection on Neighbours comes as he reveals he had a vision for \u201cBritish shows for British viewers\u201d upon taking control of Channel 5. This outlook led him to drop US shows such as CSI and The Mentalist. His first big hit came with The Yorkshire Vet, and a popular remake of Yorkshire-based drama All Creatures Great And Small<\/a> eventually followed.<\/p>\n

Neighbours is due to conclude on 29th July at 9pm<\/a>, and will be followed by two specials to air directly after the primetime finale. An array of stars are reprising their roles for the soap\u2019s swan song, including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan who have been seen in character for the first time in over 30 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n