Netflix quashes rumors, confirms Friends is here to stay
Netflix has good news for “Friends” fans. Despite rumors, the sitcom will still be there for you like it’s been there before, even in the new year.
Over the weekend, viewers started seeing a notification on Netflix showing “Friends” would only be available until Jan. 1, 2019.
WHAT DID FRIENDS EVER DO TO YOU @netflix pic.twitter.com/9DgJKhYiMN— jenn???? (@Jennwybieracki_) December 2, 2018
But Netflix put an end to the rumors on Monday and tweeted that the show would stay on the streaming service throughout 2019.
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
When reports initially surfaced indicating the beloved show would no longer be available, people on Twitter were quick to freak out.
me finding out that Friends is getting taken off on netflix pic.twitter.com/obCbwDdOlz— nicole (@anistonily) December 2, 2018
Finding out Netflix is removing Friends… pic.twitter.com/Yf7yTaJcPa— Kirsten Easton (@EastonKirsten) December 2, 2018
Friends is officially leaving Netflix January 1st so Merry Christmas 🙁 pic.twitter.com/UBS5T5kjbD— Des ???? (@Destinywilcoxso) December 2, 2018
Me @ netflix when i found out they’re taking friends off pic.twitter.com/PZr1XbNBcu— emma (@emmacoy_) December 2, 2018
Some claim they are going to cancel their subscription to the streaming service.
Netflix is really removing Friends on January 1st and the only reason I have an account is to rewatch the same episodes of the show whenever I’m bored so I guess it’s time to cancel my subscription— sai (@Saisailu97) December 3, 2018
FRIENDS IS LEAVING NETFLIX ON JANUARY 1ST.
In other news, I will be canceling my Netflix subscription on January 1st.— •Katie (@katietheasian1) December 2, 2018
One fan even started a petition to try and get Netflix to keep the show.
Netflix: keep friends on netflix – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/9CEWFKLlmv via @Change— ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? (@jenenthusiast) December 2, 2018
“Friends” aired on NBC for 10 years from 1994 to 2004. Netflix obtained the rights to stream the sitcom in late 2014. It first became available on Jan. 1, 2015.
The show has a wide audience made up of both longtime fans who watched when it originally aired, and a new generation of viewers who watched for the first time on Netflix.