How to watch Friends now that it's disappeared from Netflix US
It had a good run, but after living on Netflix since 2015, US viewers were forced to say goodbye to Friends when it left the platform on New Year's Day.
The streaming giant was paying a whopping amount of money to keep it on its vast and varied roster – around $100 million for 2019 alone – but the announcement of WarnerMedia's own streaming service, HBO Max, sounded the death knell.
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
The media behemoth, like everyone else, wanted to reclaim its content now that it will be directly competing with Netflix – and leaving the second-most popular licensed show of 2019 on there wouldn't make sense given that beloved sitcom will, undoubtedly, drive people to HBO Max.
If you live in the UK or Ireland, you can stop panicking because Friends isn't going anywhere, for now at least.
A Netflix spokesperson told Digital Spy that the changes "only apply to the US and there is no impact on the UK".
The One Where Friends is Going Nowhere, Don't Worry https://t.co/z5cxunwHA2
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) December 3, 2018
But what about those in the USA? Where can you get your Friends fix now?
When HBO Max arrives in May, you'll be able to watch all 236 episodes for $14.99 per month. But until then, you won't be able to stream it anywhere, which means a good old fashioned box set is your go-to.
Friends - The Complete Series 1-10 Blue-ray will cost you £53.79 ($70.22), or alternatively the DVD collection will set you back £48.99 ($63.95).
If you're feeling flush, you could even splash out on the Friends anniversary collection for £77.99 ($101.81).
Buy Friends 15th anniversary collection
Both are available on Amazon Prime, which you can try for free for 30 days.
After that period, you'll need to cancel your subscription if you don't want to continue, or you'll be charged.
In the US, Prime membership costs $12.99 per month, or you can opt for $119 per year. Prime Video on its own is $8.99 a month.
In the UK, it's £7.99 for a monthly subscription, or there's the £79 annual subscription, which is about £6.58 per month.
Perks include unlimited one-day delivery to UK addresses on millions of items, access to thousands of TV shows and movies on Prime Video, Prime music and loads more, which you can read about here.
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