Warner Bros.If you thought Ross and Rachel going ‘on a break’ was heartbreaking, then I’ve got some bad news for you, Netflix and Friends are going on a break – and this one’s not up for debate.
On Tuesday, the streaming service revealed it’s officially hooking up with the girl from the copy place, or shall we say WarnerMedia’s forthcoming streaming service, HBO Max, from the beginning of next year.
‘The One Where We Have To Say Goodbye,’ Netflix wrote on Twitter. ‘We’re sorry to see Friends go to Warner’s streaming service at the beginning of 2020 (in The US). Thanks for the memories, gang.’
The One Where We Have To Say Goodbye.
We’re sorry to see Friends go to Warner's streaming service at the beginning of 2020 (in The US). Thanks for the memories, gang ☕
— Netflix US (@netflix) July 9, 2019
Fears over Friends’ departure started in December when an ‘available until’ date appeared on the streaming site, suggesting the sitcom would only be available until January 1, 2019.
Luckily, days later Netflix quashed the rumours when it made a deal to keep the iconic sitcom throughout 2019.
The streaming service initially acquired the series in 2015, paying a whopping $118 million, according to Collider, but was only added to the UK service in 2018.
However, The Hollywood Reporter claims WarnerMedia has shelled out an even bigger $425 million for the five-year exclusive rights to the series.
Warner Bros.HBO Max’s name was only announced on Tuesday, but we already know it will host a number of iconic shows from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Pretty Little Liars and all of The CW when it launches in spring 2020.
It’s reported Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine will also produce at least two films for the new streaming service.
The service is also set to produce original content with the likes of Anna Kendrick, Kaley Cuoco and Ansel Elgort.
Warner Bros.WarnerMedia chairman said in press release:
HBO Max will bring together the diverse riches of WarnerMedia to create programming and user experiences not seen before in a streaming platform. HBO’s world-class programming leads the way, the quality of which will be the guiding principle for our new array of Max Originals, our exciting acquisitions, and the very best of the Warner Bros. libraries, starting with the phenomenon that is Friends.
Under the leadership of two of the strongest creative visionaries, Casey Bloys (HBO) and Kevin Reilly (original content and acquisitions), and two of the most experienced digital experts, Tony Goncalves and Andy Forssell, I have no doubt they and their dedicated teams will deliver the world’s best storytelling to audiences of all ages wherever and whenever they want it.
Warner BrosThis is more emotional than when Rachel got off the plane.
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Emma Rosemurgey is an NCTJ trained Journalist who started her career by producing The Royal Rosemurgey newspaper in 2004, which kept her family up to date with the goings on of her sleepy north east village. She graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and started her career in regional newspapers before joining Tyla (formerly Pretty 52) in 2017, and progressing onto UNILAD in 2019.