Media Guardian wrote:The BBC is facing a three-way battle to keep Neighbours, with ITV and Channel Five considering bidding for the Australian daytime soap.
It is understood the BBC has a period of exclusivity in negotiations for a new contract for the long-running show, but has said it would only commit "if the price was right".
ITV and Channel Five would be keen to get their hands on the soap, with sources confirming they had both run the rule over it.
The soap's current contract with the BBC ends later next year and discussions about a new deal have already begun.
Neighbours would plug a hole in ITV1's afternoon schedule, which has struggled since the loss of Home and Away to Five and the defection of Paul O'Grady to Channel 4.
Neighbours could also be used on ITV2, which is also currently looking for a "teen-oriented soap".
The ITV chief operating officer, John Cresswell, was quoted as saying last week that a teen soap would bring a "habit-forming, young audience" to peak on ITV2.
ITV could follow the lead of Five, which plays Home and Away on its main network at 6pm, then gives viewers a first look at the next episode immediately afterwards on digital channel Five Life.
An ITV spokeswoman said the channel was looking to commission a home-grown series.
Five is also interested in bidding for Neighbours, which it would air alongside Home and Away in a soap hour from 6pm.
The channel has long been interested in acquiring the soap, made by Australian production company Grundy - which is owned by Five's parent company RTL.
The BBC has said it is "committed" to Neighbours, but has denied reports it is preparing to shell out £13m a year to keep it - over three times what it currently pays.
The BBC director of acquisitions, George McGhee, told MediaGuardian.co.uk the corporation wanted to keep the show "but only if the price was right".
He said: "This figure [of £13m a year] is a lot of nonsense. That amount of money would be absolutely ridiculous.
"The BBC is committed to Neighbours but only at the right price."
Negotiations over Neighbours are continuing, although one source said a deal was "still quite some time off", with the BBC holding the rights until well into next year.
Despite its ratings falling from the days of Scott and Charlene's romance and wedding in the late 80s, Neighbours is still a ratings banker for BBC1, pulling in around 3 million viewers for its 1.35pm lunchtime repeat and around 2.6 million for its 5.35pm episode.
fish heads wrote:Media Guardian wrote:...pulling in around 3 million viewers for its 1.35pm lunchtime repeat and around 2.6 million for its 5.35pm episode.
Deadly wrote:Topher wrote:Stuff about Thatcher....
You are a disgrace and I'm looking forward to when someone you respect dies so I can rub your liberal face in it.
Quincy wrote:it would be crap with breaks though
)
Charlalottie on Twitter wrote:Just remembered that I played pool with a satanist last night. Really should go out on a Friday more often.
Charlalottie wrote:Had a good night last night. We lost the pub quiz but had my hair plaited by a viking.
Digital Spy wrote:BBC 'committed' to keeping 'Neighbours'
Thursday, April 12 2007, 12:14 BST
The BBC may have to fight to keep Australian daytime soap Neighbours as ITV and Five look to poach the show.
The soap's current contract with the BBC ends later next year and discussions about a new deal are currently going on.
ITV could use the show to boost its afternoon schedule, or put the show on ITV2. The channel is currently looking for a "teen-oriented soap," though a ITV spokeswoman said ITV2 was looking for a home-grown series.
Five is also believed to be interested in bidding for Neighbours, which is made by Grundy, owned by Five's parent company RTL.
The BBC has said it is "committed" to the show, "but only if the price was right."
The show currently manages around 3 million viewers for its 1.35pm lunchtime outing and around 2.6 million for its 5.35pm episode.
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