As of January 1st, Netflix said goodbye to the classic sitcom Friends after a five-year run. But why did streaming service choose to let go of one of the most popular shows on its platform?
Friends was the second most-streamed show on Netflix in 2018—The Office held the number one spot. According to Nielsen, 32.6 billion minutes of the show was watched by viewers during the year. Netflix no longer airs The Office either—that show is moving NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service in 2021. What’s happening to Netflix? Could it be the end of a good run?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix was outbid by HBO Max. WarnerMedia, reportedly paid $85 million per year for five years ($425 million total) to land Friends for its own HBO Max. Netflix didn’t take the loss too hard. They posted a tweet about the loss back in the summer:
The One Where We Have To Say Goodbye.
We’re sorry to see Friends go to Warner's streaming service at the beginning of 2020 (in The US). Thanks for the memories, gang ☕
— Netflix (@netflix) July 9, 2019
Not all Netflix fans were happy with the announcement.
Hopefully you’re just on a break! pic.twitter.com/Hj78PDns3c
— derek peth (@PethDerek) July 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/gingimli/status/1148643729483489280
If you want your fix of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe, you’re going to have to wait. HBO Max has not yet announced the exact launch date, but it’s looking like it will be May of 2020. The new streaming service will be $15-per-month and will feature other fan favorites such as The Big Bang Theory and a Gossip Girl reboot.
Until then, you can catch up with the quirky crew on DVDs and Blu-rays—or possibly via YouTube for memorable clips.
