American EastEnders fans rally to save show

Stateside EastEnders fans have something to be cheerful about after saving the show from being axed.

A PBS station’s airings of the soap were under threat when WETA-TV said ‘acquisition costs’ had made them unviable.

However, the news instigated a campaign – led by Judith Hallett, a University of Maryland professor and lawyer Michael Gordon– to keep the show on-air.

The broadcaster subsequently received sufficient funds via 143 cheques to afford another two years of airing – in total 52,504 USD (£26,000) was raised by fans who some would say have more money than sense.

“It’s an amazing group who really rallied to save what they care about.” – Mary Stewart, WETA vice president of external affairs

EastEnders has been shown in the US since 1988, however the BBC production is carried by far fewer PBS stations than was once the case.