BMG moves into Ramsay Street to become music partner of long-running soap ‘Neighbours’

BMG signed with series producer Fremantle to be exclusive music partner of long-running Australian soap Neighbours.

It began screening in Australia in March 1985 and in the UK from October 2006 where it was shown twice a day and peaked at a viewing audience of 21 million in 1990.

It’s close to 6 million these days.

Under the deal, BMG will provide repertoire from both its publishing and recordings rosters, as well as from its specialist BMG Production Music library.

Already local BMG Australia signings Winston Surfshirt, Running Touch, San Cisco, Montaigne, Felix Riebl, Washington and Eves Karydas have had their music on the show.

So too have the company’s international signings as George Ezra, Jesper Lindell, Graham Candy and Jack Savoretti.

Neighbours’ international popularity launched the careers of cast members Kylie Minogue – these days a BMG recording artist – Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, Delta Goodrem, Jason Donovan and Natalie Imbruglia.

Heath Johns, managing director of BMG Australia, said, “The Neighbours brand has been synonymous with Australian music export for a very long time.

“Our executives across both records and publishing will work closely with the Neighbours and Fremantle teams to ensure that music becomes an even more critical part of the show’s success around the globe”.

Jason Herbison, executive producer of Neighbours added, “BMG’s catalogue is one of the most dynamic and contemporary in the world and we are thrilled to partner with them.

“Music is a key part of our story-telling. Ramsay Street has never looked or sounded better.”

Allegra Caldwell, co-head of sync – creative & marketing at BMG Australia, noted “Partnering with Neighbours is an incredible opportunity for our local and international roster.

“The show continues to be a favourite at home and abroad, and we are excited for our artists to showcase their music to new audiences and gain greater exposure around the world”.

Alongside the deal with Fremantle, BMG’s current film and TV partners also include Netflix, Hasbro Studios, Activision Blizzard Studios, AMC Network, Turner Broadcasting, Rede Globo’s Som Livre, NFL Films, Walden Media, 2929 Productions, Bold & Beautiful, Bold Films, ContentMedia, Relativity Media, Icon Productions, Parallel Entertainment and Global Asylum, among others.