Netflix confirmed the hit American sitcom Friends would remain available on its service throughout 2019. Following speculations the hit sitcom will be leaving Netflix by the end of 2018, the streaming giant announced via Twitter it will remain available on its service until the end of 2019.
There have been speculations from fans over the weekend, noting Warner Bros. will not be renewing a deal with Netflix for Friends as WarnerMedia is planning to launch its subscription VOD service in the fourth quarter of 2019. Ted Sarandos, the current chief content officer for Netflix, said to The Hollywood Reporter that the sitcom's departure is a complete rumor.
The Holiday Armadillo has granted your wish: “Friends” will still be there for you in the US throughout 2019 pic.twitter.com/Yd0VqRzk3r — Netflix US (@netflix) December 3, 2018
According to the CEO of WarnerMedia and AT&T chairman, Randall Stephenson, the deal of Netflix for Friends is non-exclusive. During the 46th annual UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, Stephenson explained that although Netflix re-signed Friends, the deal is a non-exclusive basis. That means the hit sitcom can still go on their platform as well, but he didn't disclose the terms of the deal.
"The goal...is not to become another Netflix, and not to create a direct to a consumer product that rivals Netflix in terms of becoming a warehouse of content," Stephenson also added.
The mega-hit sitcom arrived on Netflix on January 1, 2015, and where it became one of the most popular shows on the streaming service ranking in top 10 of the most-viewed licensed TV shows in September 2017. Friends main-stars include David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, and Jennifer Aniston, which was originally aired on NBC from 1994-2004 and produced by Warner Bros. Television in association with Bright/Kauffman/Crane Prods.
Meanwhile, although it's not yet revealed what would be the specific title of WarnerMedia's streaming service, the AT&T-owned division's CEO John Stankey said the service is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2019 featuring three-tier streaming - entry-level bundle, premium service with original programming and blockbuster movies, and service bundles content from the first two streaming packages.
WarnerMedia is one of the media giants launching its subscription streaming services, alongside Disney where it is set to launch Disney+. Some of the Disney films available on Netflix exited the streaming service over the past months, and it also canceled three Marvel series - Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron First - ahead of the Disney+ launch.
