London – FremantleMedia International (FMI) announced on June 12 a multi-year deal with VRT that will see the Belgian public television network retain the broadcast rights to the daily Australian soap opera, Neighbours. The series, which has been at home on VRT since 1989, has become the longest running soap in Flanders, celebrating its 25th broadcast anniversary on the channel this year.

From left: Sven Van Lokeren, Head of Acquisition, Fiction at
VRT, Justin Hatfield SVP Sales Eire, Benelux & Scandinavia at 
FremantleMedia International and Reinhilde Weyns, Head of 
Acquisitions at VRT

Justin Hatfield, SVP Sales Eire, Benelux & Scandinavia, FremantleMedia International said, “Neighbours has provided Belgian viewers with a daily dose of Australian sunshine for the past 25 years and the series’ continued popularity is a testament to the quality of the production. We are looking forward to continuing our work with VRT to keep the local audiences up to date with the happenings on Ramsey Street. This deal further proves the show’s cross-cultural appeal, its drama, relevance and excitement.”

Neighbours was first broadcast in Australia in 1985 and has since had over 6,900 episodes produced, making the series the longest running and most successful Australian drama of all time. The soap follows the residents of Ramsay Street in the fictional borough of Erinsborough, who deal with the challenges and issues that ordinary people face every day. Produced by FremantleMedia Australia, Neighbours continues to attract and fascinate a global legion of devoted fans.