Despite its unfortunate end, Neighbours continues to be a favourite with fans at home.
The 37-year-old serial drama ended production earlier this month, but if Friday’s (June 17) ratings are any indication, it’s likely to end on a high note.
According to Liam Hamilton, a UK TV ratings specialist, Friday’s episode of the Australian soap was Channel 5’s most-watched show of the day.
A total of 520,000 people tuned in for the 1:45 p.m. broadcast, with another 350,000 tuning in for the 6 p.m. show.
It’s also worth noting that these are only overnight watching stats, meaning that when recordings, catch-up, and My5 streams are added, the total will skyrocket.
As viewers are aware, Neighbours will air its final episode later this month, following Channel 5’s contentious decision to remove it from their schedule in favour of ‘original UK drama,’ which the broadcaster believes has a’strong appeal’ for viewers.
However, with the popular soap still on the air, viewers appear to be more interested in their friendly neighbours.
For years, Neighbours has been a staple of the UK’s daytime television schedule, airing on BBC One until 2008, when it was relocated to Channel 5.
Fremantle Productions stated earlier this year that they had been unable to locate a new broadcast partner following Channel 5 despite their best efforts.
On August 1, the show’s final episode will air.
In addition to its ratings success, Neighbours has recently won praise from both fans and critics, with the show currently enjoying one of its most successful periods ever, making the news of its demise all the more disappointing, if not perplexing.
The tragic death of Hendrix Greyson, the introduction of Freya Wozniak, and the unsettling Order narrative with cult leader Corey Smythe-Jones are just a few of the highlights.
Neighbours airs on Channel 5 weekdays at 1:45 p.m. and 6 p.m.