Home and Away ‘facing axe after 31 years as dwindling ratings and competition from reality shows threaten Australian soap’s future’
Home & Away is reportedly facing the axe after 31 years on television screens.
According to The Mirror, the Australian soap, set in the fictional Sydney town of Summer Bay – is under threat due to falling ratings and the competition of reality shows such as Married At First Sight.
The hit soap debuted in 1988 and is aired in the UK on Channel 5 and Channel Seven in Australia.
Oh dear: Home & Away is reportedly facing the axe after 31 years on television screens (above Ray Meagher as Alf Stewart)
Report: According to The Mirror , the Australian soap, set in the fictional Sydney town of Summer Bay – is under threat due to falling ratings and the competition of reality shows such as Married At First Sight (above Lynne McGranger as Irene Roberts)
Sources told the website the combination of a later time slot and reality shows on rival channels had contributed to the soap’s decline.
Channel Seven is now said to be considering the future of the soap and is reportedly ‘under pressure’ to change its show schedule.
Home and Away airs in a 30 minute slot at 7pm in Australia from Monday to Thursday.
In the UK, the show airs twice at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel Five with fellow Aussie soap Neighbours on the same channel.
Acclaimed: The hit soap debuted in 1988, and aired in the UK on Channel 5 and Channel Seven in Australia – late Oscar-winner Heath Ledger starred as Scott Irwin in 1997)
In its heyday, the soap – which spawned iconic characters including Alf Roberts, Pippa Ross and Sally Fletcher- regularly attracted millions of viewers.
TV Blackbox reported that Monday’s episode of the show (July 1) Channel Seven lost 454,000 viewers after Seven News ended and the soap began airing.
Seven News attracted 1.115 million viewers at 6.30pm, with the figures dropping to 661,000 as Home And Away started.
Star: Avengers star Chris Hemsworth starred as Kim Hyde from 2004-2007
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Channel Seven for comment.
The first episode in 1988 saw Tom and Pippa Fletcher arrive in Summer Bay with five foster children.
In the first season it drew viewers in droves with adult-themed storylines including teen pregnancy, rape, alcohol addiction and drug overdose.
Former soap stars who have found success after appearing in Summer Bay include Chris Hemsworth, Guy Pearce, Melissa George, Isla Fisher and the late Heath Ledger.
Star: Isla Fisher played Shannon Reed from 1994-1997 and has gone on to forge a Hollywood career
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