Friends Returns to UK Free TV! All Seasons Coming Soon

Friends, the iconic American comedy series, is set to return to UK free-to-air television. Channel 4 has announced it has secured the rights to air all 10 seasons of the beloved show, with availability beginning January 2027 on the Channel 4 VoD player and E4. This deal brings the series back to its original UK broadcast home, where it first captivated audiences in the mid-1990s.

Friends initially aired on Channel 4 before moving to the digital channel E4 upon its launch in 2001. The show, starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, follows the lives of six friends in New York City and is considered one of the greatest comedies of all time. Following its departure from Channel 4, Friends has been available on various platforms, including Netflix, Sky, and Comedy Central.

This acquisition by Channel 4 comes as the broadcaster enters a new phase, with a new Programmes chief and organizational changes. The deal was brokered with Warner Bros., bringing the series back to free-to-air viewing in the UK, though HBO Max will remain its UK streaming home. This move celebrates the enduring appeal of Friends, which continues to attract new viewers while remaining a cherished favorite for long-time fans.