'Neighbours' exec backs channel change

Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower has backed the decision for the show to switch channels in Australia.

Last week, it was announced that the long-running soap will be dropped from Channel Ten's schedule next year, but will become the flagship programme on the broadcaster's new digital network, Eleven.

Writing on the official Neighbours website, Bower commented: "This is very exciting for us. To think that after 25 years, Neighbours is seen to be fresh and vibrant enough to help launch a new channel - quite amazing.

"Neighbours will continue on Ten until Christmas with a fabulous cliffhanger and then resume in 2011 on the new channel Eleven. We've been working on the storylines for 2011 and no-one will be disappointed."

Ten's decision - which followed recent low ratings for Neighbours in Australia - was announced one day before the show's milestone 6,000th episode aired down under.

Bower said: "Episode 6000 marks an historic milestone for Australian television and we're so proud."

Neighbours has been broadcast on Ten for 24 years. The drama was originally launched on the rival Seven Network in 1985.