Yesterday saw the new look Neighbours hit screens in Australia. Viewers tuning in were treated to the new opening and closing credits and a rejigged theme tune. Neighbours was also broadcast in high definition bringing it into line with rival soap Home And Away which adopted HD several months ago.

For the moment the changes are asthetic only and, as is ever the case, there are plenty who have already written off the hype Australian broadcaster Ten attempted to build about the changes. There are deeper alterations underway though as various tweaks and improvements are shuffled in with the updated look. New cast members have been brought in as the Neighbours team look to make good on their promise to pull away from the over the top drama of 2006 which proved increasingly unpopular amongst established fans.

Over all the changes do feel like a step in the right direction. The writing does feel sharper and much more character oriented despite most suggesting the big writing changes will happen over the coming months (due to the nature of Neighbours episode being written and filmed well before they air at Australian pace).