The headline says it all, folks: Brits are bloody furious that Neighbours in the UK is going on a break for Christmas, widening the gap between itself and Australia’s broadcast of the beloved series.
This all kicked off last week after the UK Twitter account for Neighbours announced the series would be taking a Christmas break from December 23 to January 4. That’s about a week and a half.
Neighbours in the UK is already lagging behind schedule because Channel 5 – the network that airs the series over there – hit the brakes on screening episodes due to production delays (re: COVID-19) in Australia.
Basically, Channel 5 didn’t want to run out of episodes to broadcast.
Now, Channel 5 just doesn’t have enough space in its Chrissy line-up to air any new episodes.
“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,” Channel 5 said in a statement shared to Twitter.
“Neighbours will return to the 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.”
⭐ SCHEDULE UPDATE ⭐
Neighbours will be taking a Christmas break here in the UK from 23rd December.
We will be back on air on @channel5_tv on 4th January.
As always, thank you for watching. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/5NkSqihjbs
— Neighbours (@NeighboursTV) December 1, 2020
It’s safe to say viewers are pissed.
One fan even started a Change.org petition, demanding Channel 5 put an end to this Christmas break nonsense.
“Stop the Xmas break and run late catch up episodes in January 2021,” part of the petition, started by Lizzy Cooper, reads.
“Treat the UK Neighbours’ fans (AKA: your channel’s audience!) with a little bit of due regard.”
At the time of writing, the petition has over 550 signatures and counting.
If you think people are joking about their reactions, I assure you they absolutely are not.
Well, channel 5 have just announced that they can’t fit the Neighbours episodes into the remainder of the years schedule so abso feckin lutely….
— Sarah Bridgman (@scrufflove) December 1, 2020
“It is unlikely that we will be able to catch up” … yeah so the answer to that is to go off air for 2 weeks when it’s supposed to be on 52 weeks a year ???? don’t you think we have all suffered enough this year without withdrawals from neighbours & home and away!
— Lorna (@xxlornaxx39671) December 1, 2020
Is that a joke? I’m so pissed off, so now we gonna be 5 weeks behind! When I saw schedule update, I assumed we’d be getting double episodes. Great way to treat fans, that’ll now watch online and you’ll lose viewers. I take it, its gonna stay on screen in oz over Xmas?
— Stephen Robinson (@stelee28) December 1, 2020
Disgusting. Absolutely no respect for the loyal fans. Instead of shortening the gap you’re going to make it bigger. Cherio C5 and hello Daily motion ????
— Gary Marshall (@marshgaz) December 1, 2020
Look, I’m not one to laugh at other people’s misfortunes, but holy shit this has really loosened my juices.
According to Digital Spy, this is the first time in four years that Neighbours in the UK has fallen behind Australia’s broadcast.
Over here, you can catch Neighbours 6.30pm weeknights on 10 Peach.
