“Friends” fans woke to the news that their favorite 90s sitcom may not be there for them much longer on Netflix, but that is not the case.
On Monday morning, a Jan. 1, 2019 expiration date was listed on the show’s Netflix page, but the streamer just announced that “Friends” will remain throughout 2019 on Netflix.
The Holiday Armadillo has granted your wish: “Friends” will still be there for you in the US throughout 2019 pic.twitter.com/Yd0VqRzk3r
— Netflix (@netflix) December 3, 2018
News of the possible removal of “Friends” from Netflix sent the show’s fans into a frenzy, as many lamented the thought of losing their 230 episodes of the Warner Bros.-produced comedy. The streamer had removed the Jan. 1, 2019 expiration date that was listed, and now fans can breathe a sigh of relief for good.
“Friends” was one of Netflix’s biggest acquisitions. But as the streaming world has become more and more crowded, Netflix’s model has shifted in these past four years to favor its own productions. But the streamer will keep all 230 episodes of Ross, Monica, Rachel, Chandler and Joey, at least for another year.
One of the new entrants in the streaming space next year will be Warner Bros.’ parent company, WarnerMedia, which will launch its own branded streaming platform at the end of 2019. Last week, AT&T said that the WarnerMedia-branded platform will launch with three levels of service.
The service will offer an “entry-level movie-focused” package, a “premium service” with original programming and blockbuster movies and a third service that bundles content from the first two, plus a library of WarnerMedia and licensed content. Pricing for the tiers was not specified. The company says that the upcoming SVOD service is intended to complement WarnerMedia’s existing businesses while providing data and analytics to help with their decision in creating future products.