Neighbours goes Stateside

Aussie soap Neighbours is to be broadcast in the US for the first time.

The daily drama, which is already broadcast in 55 countries, will air on US cable network Oxygen on April 19. It will run for six weeks, airing two half-hour episodes daily.

US audiences will pick up the story with the arrival of the Scully family in Ramsay Street, Erinsborough - the fictional setting of the soap.

A Grundy Television spokesman said: "This is a sensational milestone for a landmark Australian program - cracking the US market is always difficult for Australian product so we are particularly pleased for all those involved in creating Neighbours.”

The popular soap is in its 18th year of production, having celebrated its 4,000th episode last year.