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The One Where Friends Leaves Netflix.
After last year’s scare when Friends was going to be removed from Netflix, it looks like that will actually be coming true in 2020.
On Tuesday, July 9, WarnerMedia finally announced the name of its upcoming streaming service and revealed that it has the rights to Friends which means that is where fans will have to go to binge watch the iconic series.
The new streaming service which will be competing against Netflix will be called HBO Max, and along with Friends, also has exclusive rights to all shows from The CW which includes Riverdale, its upcoming spinoff Katy Keene and the highly-anticipated upcoming Batwoman series, and will also be the home to series that haven’t been on streaming services yet such as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
“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,” Robert Greenblatt, chairman, WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer, said in a statement. “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.”
In response to the news, Netflix shared a tweet, writing, “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.”
In addition, HBO Max is also promising a lot of original content including the new Kaley Cuoco series The Flight Attendant, and has made deals for four films produced by Greg Berlanti, and two films produced by Reese Witherspoon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCS4CaZ9dwg