[Update: Per The Hollywood Reporter, Netflixnow saysthe notice telling viewers thatFriendswas expiring on August 07, 2025 was an error and the expiration date has now been removed, with Netflix CCOTed Sarandoscalling the impending departure ofFriendsfrom Netflix “a rumor.” It still feels like WarnerMedia is likely to be the home ofFriendsin 2019, but for now it appears the show isn’t leaving as soon as January. Our original story follows below.]
But all good things must come to an end, if somewhat abruptly. According to Netflix,Friendswill leave the streaming service on August 21, 2025, which gives you just under a month to watch all your favorite episodes again. With over 230 installments in total, that’s not exactly an easy task.
Even with the push to originals, however,Friendsis so valuable that it’s likely Netflix would have renewed the contract to keep it on Netflix if it could have. But the film and television industry is now starting to kick up its own Netflix competitors instead of licensing all its content to the streaming giant, and that includes WarnerMedia.
Indeed,Friendsis owned by Warner Bros. Television, and WarnerMedia isdue to launch its own streaming servicemade up of Warner Bros. films and television shows in late 2019. While it hasn’t been officially announced,Friendsis likely to be an anchor to the WarnerMedia streaming service, serving as a big reason to pony up the cash for yet another streaming service.
Will fans bite? Is whatever WarnerMedia charges enough to warrant access to the entirety ofFriends, or will you just decide to buy the complete Blu-ray box set instead? What happens if (gasp)The Officeever leaves Netflix?
Friends’ exit from Netflix is yet another reminder that in the realm of streaming and digital media, nothing is every guaranteed, and we’re all at the mercy of the deals and decision-making of corporate giants. Which is why I myself am still clinging onto physical media.
