Home and Away's Australian network explains 35th anniversary snub

It's bad manners to ask a soap its age.

By Katie Francis

5 Feb 2023

Channel 5

Home and Away turned 35 this year!

This might be news to you, as the soap's network, Seven, opted not to make too much of a song and dance about the milestone other than airing some classic episodes.

Now, Seven has explained their decision not to show any special anniversary content – extra episodes, specials, or celebrations – and it turns out that they just don't want the soap's age to show.

Proving that soaps, like wine and cheese, really do get better with age, Home and Away got off to a flying start for its 35th year. Brook Hall, head of scheduling for Seven explained (via TV Tonight) that when it came back at the beginning of January: "The first week had it's highest streamed episode ever, the total is currently 1 million viewers, and it's just so encouraging seeing that show."

So, why not mark the birthday? You might remember that other soaps have previously gone all out to celebrate the big years.

Neighbours, for example, turned 35 in 2020, and didn't hold back in its anniversary spirit. The soap aired extra primetime episodes all week with mega plotlines, while the episodes at the normal time earlier in the day featured one wedding each, including some nostalgic throwbacks.

Channel 5

Hall explained that it was a purposeful move not to follow the same theme: "It's one of our most important shows, and it is often discussed.

"The tricky thing is, and maybe we're reading this wrong, it's that fine balance between going: 'This is a really important legacy brand – and highlighting its age'. Maybe that's overthinking it, but people become so fickle now, wanting 'shiny and new'… so there is a nervousness about saying it is 35."

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.

In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7plus.

Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.