Overview
- Channel 4 announced Thursday that it has secured free-to-air rights to air all 10 seasons on E4 and the Channel 4 on-demand player from January 2027.
- HBO Max will keep the UK streaming rights, so viewers can watch Friends on both Channel 4’s services and on HBO Max depending on how they prefer to watch.
- Deadline reported that the deal was handled by Warner Bros.’ sales arm connected to Skydance’s recent transactions and was revealed during MIPCOM market activity.
- Channel 4 executives said the return is meant to broaden audience reach as the broadcaster implements programming changes under a new programmes chief and a reshaped commissioning team.
- Friends’ long broadcast history in the UK and its steady catalogue earnings — Lisa Kudrow said the main cast earn about $20 million a year in residuals — explain why the show remains a high-value target for broadcasters.