Beloved '90s sitcom Friends will finally return to its original UK home for streaming

For generations of people in the UK, Channel 4 was the home of Friends. The broadcaster premiered every episode of the classic 1990s sitcom, and continued airing it in reruns long after the last episode aired.

After it lost the rights in 2011, Channel 4 has now announced that Friends will be coming back in 2027. From January, the show will be airing on E4 and streaming on the Channel 4 service.

Since it first left Channel 4, Friends has bounced around different TV and streaming homes in the UK. It has been on 5, Comedy Central and Netflix, before settling down on Warner Bros' streaming service HBO Max (which you can get through NOW).

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It will still be available on HBO Max, with Channel 4 and E4 being free alternatives.

"Most of us remember exactly where we were when we watched the Friends finale!" said Polly Scales, Channel 4's head of acquisitions who acquired the licence from Warner Bros.

"This iconic series has enduring appeal and continues to bring together audiences of all ages. We're thrilled to welcome Friends home to Channel 4."

Kiran Nataraja, director of content strategy at Channel 4, added: "Friends has always been an audience favourite and we’re delighted to welcome the show back to its original UK home, made possible through our valued relationship with Warner Bros.

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"Its witty, character-led comedy and lasting popularity make it a natural fit for Channel 4. Cherished by long-time fans and continuing to attract new viewers, it will complement the distinctive programming across our slate."

The news comes as Warner Bros has just been merged with Paramount under the new Skydance Corporation umbrella.

Friends can currently be streamed on HBO Max (also available via NOW), and will come to E4 and Channel 4 streaming in January.

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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he's covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I'm a Fish.