Channel 4 lands UK free-to-air rights to Friends from 2027
All 10 seasons will air on Channel 4's VoD player and E4 from January 2027, while HBO Max keeps UK streaming rights.
Channel 4 has acquired the UK free-to-air rights to Friends and will air all 10 seasons, according to deadline.com. The show will be available on the Channel 4 VoD player and on E4 from January 2027.
HBO Max remains Friends' UK streaming home, with Channel 4 holding the free-to-air rights. The deal was struck by the Skydance-owned Warner Bros. sales arm and moves the show away from Skydance UK network 5.
Channel 4 was Friends' original UK broadcast home when the show began in the mid-1990s, and the series moved to E4 when the digital channel launched in 2001. Since leaving Channel 4, it has aired in the UK on Netflix, on Skydance UK network 5 and on Comedy Central.
The agreement is among the major show deals revealed since the Skydance deal closed, and it comes as the TV sales market MIPCOM concludes. Channel 4 programmes chief David Brindley is set to start in a few weeks, with around 50% of the commissioning team being laid off.
Quick answers
When will Friends air on Channel 4?
All 10 seasons will be available on the Channel 4 VoD player and on E4 from January 2027.
Where can I stream Friends in the UK?
HBO Max remains Friends' UK streaming home. Channel 4 holds the free-to-air rights.