Update, 2/13: WarnerMedia, which owns Friends, has indicated that it will pull the show from Netflix at some point. Network president Kevin Reilly hinted at the Television Critics Association on Monday: "Expect that the crown jewels of Warner will ultimately end up on the service...For the most part, sharing destination assets like that is not a good idea." Netflix has bought the rights to Friends until the end of 2019, but it's anyone's guess what will happen to Friends after that.
Original post: We've gotten used to the idea that things on Netflix are bound to disappear at some point, due to streaming rights and whatnot. And so when news broke earlier today that Friends would depart the streaming platform in early 2019, I...uh...I had a bit of a meltdown. I may or may not have thrown a tantrum and started questioning my entire life's purpose. I started applying to grad school, that's how out of sorts I was. I was unsure of anything in my life, all because I truly thought I only had three weeks left with my Friends. What would I do without Phoebe? Could life make sense without Chandler? Could I BE any more concerned about the future?
Well, I should have known that Netflix would phunk with my heart on this level, because guess what: JUST KIDDING. Friends ain't going nowhere. The Internet can take a deep breath, because they don't have to worry about finding out who the father of Rachel's baby is anymore. Netflix just gave the entirety of the Friends fan base a heart attack, but it's okay.
But don't get your hopes too high: with Warner Bros. announcing their own streaming platform to come in 2019, I would say the likelihood Friends will head over there in the next few years is pretty high. But hold on to what you got while it's still here, you never know when it'll be ripped from your warm embrace. Or... really, you could always just buy the complete series on DVD if you're really worried about losing your connection with your Friends.
Now, Netflix...can we talk about bringing back Moana? Asking for a friend. (That friend is me.)
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