Fremantle to recut Neighbours episodes into AI-assisted micro-episodes

In short: Fremantle is partnering with RoseBerry Media to turn selected Neighbours episodes into AI-assisted, vertical micro-episodes for RoseBerry’s Epis platform.

What happened

Fremantle, the producer and rights holder of Neighbours, has partnered with RoseBerry Media to rework parts of the show into short, vertical videos. Vertical video is the phone-shaped format used by apps like TikTok and Instagram.

The plan is to take existing footage and recut it into “micro-episodes” for RoseBerry’s Epis platform. The work is described as AI-assisted, meaning software helps with parts of the editing process (like using a smart tool to quickly cut and reformat video), rather than manually doing every step.

The first release will focus on two storylines featuring Margot Robbie as Donna Freedman, taken from her original run on Neighbours from 2008 to 2011. Together, the recut storylines are expected to total about 150 minutes. The companies are not planning to convert the entire series.

Why it matters

The project has triggered objections from some former cast members. Stefan Dennis called the reuse “unbelievably invasive” and said he was seeking advice. Matthew Werkmeister raised concerns about his image being used without his consent.

Beyond the AI angle, the dispute highlights a bigger question: when old TV scenes are repackaged into short “microdrama” clips, how should actors and other creative workers be asked, credited, and paid. This could affect how classic shows are reused in a world where more people watch video on phones.

Source: NYTimes