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If Neighbours was still on the BBC....


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Old 28-10-2014, 21:06
sinkingradio
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Around the time Neighbours was on the BBC and about to be transferred to Channel 5 in 2008 remember it was going through one of its dips. There was a lot of 'dead wood' characters and it seemed to have lost A lot of the comedy. Yet the ratings for the show were doing well. It was getting around 6 million viewers (lunch and teatime combined) each day. (I did my research, it was!)

In a way I think it's such a shame that it's on Channel 5 because although its still one of the channels highest rated shows it will never get the same amount as it did on the BBC. Doctors gets higher viewing figures FFS and I've seen it; it's terrible! (sorry to any Doctors fans)

And although there are always people who will say that Neighbours is 'worse now than it has ever been' - I've watched the show since 1987 and for me its nearly as good as it was in the late 80's. I've stuck through the show when it really has been dire - the period where Annalise's sister (Jo?) was in it was terrible.

For me atleast anyway, Neighbours really is going through a great period. You can really tell that they plan stories out carefully; the balance of comedy and drama is spot on. You can tell that the exec Jason Herbison is a fan of the show. (Unlike that dreadful woman before)

When Neighbours was on the BBC it was the highest rated show during the day (apart from the news) and I think the improvements that have been made since the new exec came in would have seen a climb in audience figures if it was on the BBC.

I don't blame the BBC though with Freemantles stupid bidding war. After all the money the BBC poured into the show throughout the years Freemantle were greedy and didn't look at the long term future. Having said that, I think the BBC had a bit of a snobbish attitude when it came to the show, and at least Channel 5 embrace it.

But I would love to know what would have happened in a world where the BBC kept it.
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Old 28-10-2014, 21:56
Jack_Clinton
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I used to watch Neighbours on BBC1 at 5:35, because I was at school at the time. Some of my class used to watch it as well.

Since it moved to Channel 5, I watched it until early 2012, because of college/work commitments, and I don't like the picture quality on Channel 5. I don't miss watching it as it is just one of them programmes I used to watch, but to see it go from 6 million viewers per day to around 1.5 million - (that's the lunchtime and teatime broadcasts), you can definitely tell the move to Channel 5 has been a problem.

Was it the same for Home & Away after they left ITV?
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Old 28-10-2014, 21:58
David Mills
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And although there are always people who will say that Neighbours is 'worse now than it has ever been' - I've watched the show since 1987 and for me its nearly as good as it was in the late 80's. I've stuck through the show when it really has been dire - the period where Annalise's sister (Jo?) was in it was terrible.
The problem with people who say that is that there were only 4 channels back when it started so people had to watch it, plus it was unique in the UK as it was an Australian based show, now they have more choice and can get anything Neighbours brought - beautiful settings, storylines and all of that from other programmes so don't need it as much. So it's not the same as now.

Because I feel it's pretty good now and doing well to keep going considering how it doesn't bring in as many viewers.

Loads of popular shows these days get as many viewers as Neighbours, TOWIE is massive and only get around 1 million an episode. It's how TV is now so I think Neighbours is doing as best as possible in this current climate.
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Old 28-10-2014, 22:03
danyell
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But don't most people have channel 5 nowadays? If so, why should there be a problem. It's just a different channel. I didn't stop watching Neighbours just because they moved to channel 5. I just watched it on channel 5. Same with Home and Away.
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Old 28-10-2014, 22:22
carcass
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Annalise and joe were hot.
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Old 28-10-2014, 22:50
sally_bowles
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if neighbours was still on bbc1 it would not be shot in that filmic style which is so annoying and is basically crap.

also the ratings would probably be double what they are now?
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Old 28-10-2014, 22:53
benbenalen
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I used to watch Neighbours on BBC1 at 5:35, because I was at school at the time. Some of my class used to watch it as well.

Since it moved to Channel 5, I watched it until early 2012, because of college/work commitments, and I don't like the picture quality on Channel 5. I don't miss watching it as it is just one of them programmes I used to watch, but to see it go from 6 million viewers per day to around 1.5 million - (that's the lunchtime and teatime broadcasts), you can definitely tell the move to Channel 5 has been a problem.

Was it the same for Home & Away after they left ITV?
Same here, 5.35, then the Simpsons on BBC 2 at 6.
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Old 28-10-2014, 23:11
Charnham
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its a pretty shocking state of affairs the BBC supported that show its whole life, now its on a Viacom channels, money is funny like that
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Old 28-10-2014, 23:19
sally_bowles
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its a pretty shocking state of affairs the BBC supported that show its whole life, now its on a Viacom channels, money is funny like that
yeap i agree. there was a time in the mid 90's that the bbc put moey into neighbours, stopping it being axed in oz. a shame freemantle bought out grundy television. the bbc were treated badly.
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Old 28-10-2014, 23:28
ohglobbits
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BBC left neighbours at just the right time. The soap deserved to be kept on past the millenium as the tempo and pace increased and multilayered charcters like Izzy, Janelle and Paul were introduced. The show became edgy and far less teen orientated and went for more grown up storylines. Since then it regressed back to the simplistic rather bland show it was in the nineties.
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Old 28-10-2014, 23:31
StoryOfUs
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Wow, 6 million viewers was a lot...never thought it got that much. I used to LOVE Neighbours and never missed an episode. Gave it up in 2005 when I moved away to uni and could never get back into it; I don't even recognise any of the characters now so I feel like it's too late to get back into it.
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Old 28-10-2014, 23:31
Matthew_Howarth
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But don't most people have channel 5 nowadays? If so, why should there be a problem. It's just a different channel. I didn't stop watching Neighbours just because they moved to channel 5. I just watched it on channel 5. Same with Home and Away.
This - pretty much agreed. The same.

Am loyal to the show (whatever channel it's on) and it's the same with Home and Away - I also just watch the 2 shows now on Channel 5 and am used to doing so (in fact it makes no difference to my viewing habits of them - even though N & H&A had formerly screened on the BBC & ITV, respectively).
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Old 29-10-2014, 17:25
dan2008
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Ratings wouldn't have risen at all despite who the EP is or not. TV has changed
and Neighbours was that sort of show that people watched because there was nothing else and it fitted in nicely right after Children's TV (with the likes of long running Byker Grove,Grange Hill and Blue Peter leading it) and leading right into the 6 o clock news. Sure ratings did rate around 6 million when it was on the BBC with both showings added but remember that was 2007 when there was less choice and people still only had 4/5 TV channels. Now EVERYONE has some form of digital TV and channel 5 can't be viewed by pretty much everyone in the UK.

Regarding Doctors. It is good and unlike the other soaps it doesn't need to be sensational , It doesn't need stunts and it doesn't take it's self seriously. It's a proper Character driven and Issue led drama that can do grit rather well despite it's time slot.

Neighbours was around at the right time but sadly after umpteen changes (trying to be Home & Away at one point) no one knows the show any more. It's nothing like it once was and there is only a handful of characters you'd know from the 80's/90's/00's era
2006 Neighbours started to turn and kept trying to be something it wasn't and then that didn't work so we had revamp after revamp.

In Australia it's moved 3 channels since it's launch and is now shown on a Digital Channel. Had it not been for the BBC support the show would have been axed years ago.

I feel it left the BBC at the right time. The BBC should be about home grown shows and programmes like Doctors and Pointless does the job well and the BBC are not having a gap left by Neighbours.
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Old 29-10-2014, 17:27
dan2008
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Wow, 6 million viewers was a lot...never thought it got that much. I used to LOVE Neighbours and never missed an episode. Gave it up in 2005 when I moved away to uni and could never get back into it; I don't even recognise any of the characters now so I feel like it's too late to get back into it.
It had 18/19/20m+ ratings at one point too but then TV ratings are down across the board anyway. More choice and more ways to catch up.
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:01
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I think Channel 5 is better off having Neighbours, but I think Neighbours would have been better off staying with the BBC. I don't think they would have allowed Susan Bower to systematically run the show into the ground the way Network Ten did.

I also think that channel snobbery played a large part in a lot of fans not following the show to C5. You only have to read some of the posts in the Broadcast forum to see that people still have a snooty attitude towards C5, and they most certainly did back in 2008, too. Some people also had issues with the picture quality, as it switched to HD and became darker on C5, not to mention Susan Bower made the show look more darker in an attempt to make it look more natural, which failed. Thankfully Jason Herbison has rectified her mistakes and improved the lighting.

It's nothing like it once was and there is only a handful of characters you'd know from the 80's/90's/00's era
That's no longer true, Dan. A lot of fans now feel that 2014 is the year that has taken Neighbours back to what it used to be. It really does feel like the show of 2004 and previous golden eras; its ditched the teen dramas and embraced a more grittier approach to storytelling. It has a fresh quality that it hasn't had since 2004. The ratings have also risen this year, too.

Sure there's only Karl, Susan, Lou, Toadie and Paul that people would recognise (plus Lucy Robinson, Doug Willis and Sue Parker who pop-up from time-to-time), but what other soap can say they still have loads of characters from 15+ years ago? Doctors certainly has lost all of its original cast members a long time ago, with only Jimmi Clay being the longest serving now - and he joined in 2005.
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:10
dan2008
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I think Channel 5 is better off having Neighbours, but I think Neighbours would have been better off staying with the BBC. I don't think they would have allowed Susan Bower to systematically run the show into the ground the way Network Ten did.

I also think that channel snobbery played a large part in a lot of fans not following the show to C5. You only have to read some of the posts in the Broadcast forum to see that people still have a snooty attitude towards C5, and they most certainly did back in 2008, too. Some people also had issues with the picture quality, as it switched to HD and became darker on C5, not to mention Susan Bower made the show look more darker in an attempt to make it look more natural, which failed. Thankfully Jason Herbison has rectified her mistakes and improved the lighting.


That's no longer true, Dan. A lot of fans now feel that 2014 is the year that has taken Neighbours back to what it used to be. It really does feel like the show of 2004 and previous golden eras; its ditched the teen dramas and embraced a more grittier approach to storytelling. It has a fresh quality that it hasn't had since 2004. The ratings have also risen this year, too.

Sure there's only Karl, Susan, Lou, Toadie and Paul that people would recognise (plus Lucy Robinson, Doug Willis and Sue Parker who pop-up from time-to-time), but what other soap can say they still have loads of characters from 15+ years ago? Doctors certainly has lost all of its original cast members a long time ago, with only Jimmi Clay being the longest serving now - and he joined in 2005.
EastEnders and Corrie for starters who both have a big number of characters that have been there for 15 years or more. Some of course have been there since the start/was in the first episode.

Sure that's true but Doctors is different to the other soaps. It doesn't really need original cast members because it's not a traditional soap. Doctors while it has the long running soapy storylines but also has daily/weekly running storylines with Guest stars.

I've seen a fair bit of Neighbours and i'd say it's nothing like it was back in like 2003
I feel Neighbours changed in 2006 and the axing of the Bishops and the Timmins family was the start of it's downfall. It's improved a little to what it was like in 2007 but the Willis family are terrible and played by terrible actors.

Kyle should have never been made as a main cast member in the same way Tracey from EastEnders shouldn't. It's nice having these regular guest roles from familiar faces.
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:38
sinkingradio
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I read an article in Broadcast a couple of years ago that said the BBC has a large slice of the day time audience because people just have it on in the background throughout the day whilst not necessarily watching it. I think it they referred to it as the "British default channel".

I don't know how they came to that conclusion but I can kind of imagine that being true. My mum is retired and I know that if she's at home during the day and the TV is on, it will always be on BBC1 - and she's not even watching it.

So maybe BBC1 daytime being the 'default channel' is true.

It's funny reading other posters pointing out the difference in picture quality. I remember that when it first started on C5. But I'd forgotten all about that. Have I just got used to it or did they fix it?!
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:40
Deschanel
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EastEnders and Corrie for starters who both have a big number of characters that have been there for 15 years or more. Some of course have been there since the start/was in the first episode.

Sure that's true but Doctors is different to the other soaps. It doesn't really need original cast members because it's not a traditional soap. Doctors while it has the long running soapy storylines but also has daily/weekly running storylines with Guest stars.

I've seen a fair bit of Neighbours and i'd say it's nothing like it was back in like 2003
I feel Neighbours changed in 2006 and the axing of the Bishops and the Timmins family was the start of it's downfall. It's improved a little to what it was like in 2007 but the Willis family are terrible and played by terrible actors.

Kyle should have never been made as a main cast member in the same way Tracey from EastEnders shouldn't. It's nice having these regular guest roles from familiar faces.
You're totally right about Corrie, as I'd forgotten all about it, as I no longer watch the show. I'd say Corrie is a prime example of a show that has held on to way too many characters who were past their use by date several years ago, but now don't feel they can axe them b/c they've been around for so long.

EE has about 8/9 characters from the 80s/90s/2000-01 eras, and half of them were brought back in the last couple of years, which shows there was a time when they had a handful of characters representing the 80s/90s. I think that EE has managed to hold on to characters from the mid-2000s, which helps a lot in creating familiarity.

I completely disagree with you about Neighbours being nowhere near as good as 2003-04, as I think it is. I also disagree about the Willis family. Rebekah Elmalogou is awesome as Terese, and can out-act a lot of the others (she's also a fan favourite with many); Ariel Kaplan showed what she is capable of with the bulimia storyline; Harley Bonner has transformed into a decent young actor with the coward punch story. I think Kip Gamblin is the week link, but he's not completely terrible.

I don't think Kyle and Tracey is a good comparison, considering Kyle started off as a recurring guest, and Tracey is basically a non-speaking extra most of the time. Tracey is better compared to Margi who works in Harold's. If Kyle had stayed recurring, he would be gone by now, considering his teen group have all left. He would never have built up all the relationships he has now if he had never become a regular character. The show has enough regular guest roles with Lucy Robinson, Doug Willis, Sue Parker, Jaden Warley, and Mal Kennedy, etc.

So maybe BBC1 daytime being the 'default channel' is true.

It's funny reading other posters pointing out the difference in picture quality. I remember that when it first started on C5. But I'd forgotten all about that. Have I just got used to it or did they fix it?!
They fixed the picture quality by improving the lighting on the show.

I think it's true about BBC1 being the default daytime channel. I know my Nan never followed Neighbours to C5 simply b/c it was C5 and not the BBC, which she keeps on regardless. I think there is a large percentage of people who haven't gotten out of the habit of only having 4 channels.
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:43
dan2008
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I read an article in Broadcast a couple of years ago that said the BBC has a large slice of the day time audience because people just have it on in the background throughout the day whilst not necessarily watching it. I think it they referred to it as the "British default channel".

I don't know how they came to that conclusion but I can kind of imagine that being true. My mum is retired and I know that if she's at home during the day and the TV is on, it will always be on BBC1 - and she's not even watching it.

So maybe BBC1 daytime being the 'default channel' is true.

It's funny reading other posters pointing out the difference in picture quality. I remember that when it first started on C5. But I'd forgotten all about that. Have I just got used to it or did they fix it?!
A load of crap. It's been proven time and time again that this is not the case. For example 7million could be watching EastEnders at 7:30pm but then dips to 4million at 8:00pm for Holby but then 6 million tune in for the 9:00pm drama. It's the same in daytime with Doctors getting up to 1.7m but the show at 2:15pm pulling in 900k but the show following is back up to abut 1.5m

People will watch something if they like it despite the channel.
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:46
Dr K Noisewater
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The show has gone back to its roots and resembles the show it was in its 'golden era' more now than it has done in years. Its no longer a teen drama like it was during Susan Bowers years where the shows main focus was school children's problems. By bringing back Lauren and Brad and their families and introducing Daniel Robinson they've cleverly managed to introduce new, fresh characters but still with a strong link to the shows past. Its not overrun with kids anymore (something which Home and Away is) the main focus is families. You've got the two big families who are odds with one another the Turners and Willis's just like when the show began you had the Robinsons and the Ramsay's. And we now have five married couples which is a good thing as it gives a great family feel to the show Karl&Susan, Brad&Terese, Matt&Lauren, Toadie&Sonya and Kyle&Georgia considering how small neighbours cast is that's impressive all of the soaps seem to struggle these days to maintain married couples. There's also a good mix of older characters as well: Karl, Susan, Lou, Sheila and Paul all being over 50 and then you have Doug Willis and Kathy Carpenter who are recurring characters. Again that's another point where Home and Away falls down they don't utilise their older characters and they're reduced almost to extras.
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Old 29-10-2014, 18:51
sinkingradio
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I'm surprised some people have picked out Kyle as not being any good. He's a great character for me!

I think Naomi is one of the best characters of the newer characters they've had in ages. (Josh, Terese and Sheila as well).

Naomi is so brilliantly written. She's like Izzy in the wife stealing attempt way, but they've given her the vulnerability and I love her humour; she's got great comedy timing. And I love every scene that have her and Sheila in. They are so believable as mother and daughter.
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Old 29-10-2014, 19:03
sinkingradio
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The show has gone back to its roots and resembles the show it was in its 'golden era' more now than it has done in years. Its no longer a teen drama like it was during Susan Bowers years where the shows main focus was school children's problems. By bringing back Lauren and Brad and their families and introducing Daniel Robinson they've cleverly managed to introduce new, fresh characters but still with a strong link to the shows past. Its not overrun with kids anymore (something which Home and Away is) the main focus is families. You've got the two big families who are odds with one another the Turners and Willis's just like when the show began you had the Robinsons and the Ramsay's. And we now have five married couples which is a good thing as it gives a great family feel to the show Karl&Susan, Brad&Terese, Matt&Lauren, Toadie&Sonya and Kyle&Georgia considering how small neighbours cast is that's impressive all of the soaps seem to struggle these days to maintain married couples. There's also a good mix of older characters as well: Karl, Susan, Lou, Sheila and Paul all being over 50 and then you have Doug Willis and Kathy Carpenter who are recurring characters. Again that's another point where Home and Away falls down they don't utilise their older characters and they're reduced almost to extras.
I don't watch Home & Away so can't comment on that, but totally agree with all you've said about the dynamics of the cast in Neighbours now. I thought Susan Bower was awful at the time, but looking at the show now and how much it's improved makes me realise how she nearly destroyed the show by taking it so far away from what it was. The one thing I will give her though is the introduction of the shows first permanent gay character and as much as I loathed what she did with the show I have to admit the way that was handled was fantastic. It wasn't done in a 'grab ratings' sentential way. That's the one good thing she did. I just hope the actor playing Nate improves. He seems like the weak link at the moment; although I think he seems to be slowly improving. Yesterday's episode where he talked about his past and broke down was really good. Fingers crossed he gets better!
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Old 29-10-2014, 23:25
dd68
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I can't understand why a viewer can't follow a show to a new channel
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Old 29-10-2014, 23:52
sally_bowles
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I read an article in Broadcast a couple of years ago that said the BBC has a large slice of the day time audience because people just have it on in the background throughout the day whilst not necessarily watching it. I think it they referred to it as the "British default channel".

I don't know how they came to that conclusion but I can kind of imagine that being true. My mum is retired and I know that if she's at home during the day and the TV is on, it will always be on BBC1 - and she's not even watching it.

So maybe BBC1 daytime being the 'default channel' is true.

It's funny reading other posters pointing out the difference in picture quality. I remember that when it first started on C5. But I'd forgotten all about that. Have I just got used to it or did they fix it?!
i'm the same with radio 4. i always have it on in the background. may be its a bbc thing, comforting.
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Old 29-10-2014, 23:58
summer_ste
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I've watched the show since 1987 and for me its nearly as good as it was in the late 80's. I've stuck through the show when it really has been dire - the period where Annalise's sister (Jo?) was in it was terrible.

For me atleast anyway, Neighbours really is going through a great period. You can really tell that they plan stories out carefully; the balance of comedy and drama is spot on. You can tell that the exec Jason Herbison is a fan of the show. (Unlike that dreadful woman before)
I agree, Neighbours is going through one of its best ever periods. It's a shame more people won't give it a chance.

Both EastEnders and Neighbours are benefiting hugely from having EPs who are big fans of the show and its history.
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