Hulu buys Australian soap Neighbours

US streaming service Hulu has acquired Neighbours, the long-running Australian soap.

The daily soap has been popular in Australia, on Seven Network, and the UK, where it is now on Channel 5, for over a decade. In Australia it is the longest-running drama on TV. On Hulu in the US, it will launch on July 14 with new 22-minute episodes being added on each week day.

Episodes will go out four weeks after their Australian TX.

FremantleMedia International distributes the show, which is produced by FremantleMedia Australia (which acquired the show’s original producer, Grundy), and struck the deal with Hulu.

The Aussie soap will be on both the ad-supported Hulu service and its premium offshoot Hulu Plus.

“Neighbours provides a delicious daily dose of Australian sunshine to soap-opera fans, and thanks to Hulu, we’re coming to the U.S. at a perfect entry point for first-time viewers,” said Jeff Siegel, vice president, digital distribution and home entertainment at FremantleMedia.