In a move that has left millions of Indian viewers disheartened, the iconic American sitcom Friends was removed from Netflix on 30 December. The show, which concluded its original run in 2004, remained a perennial favourite and one of the most-streamed titles on the platform in India, years after its finale.
Why Did Netflix Let Friends Go?
The departure stems from the expiration of a costly licensing deal. Reports from outlets like Newstalk indicate that Netflix was paying a staggering $80 to $100 million annually to retain the streaming rights for Friends due to its immense popularity. This agreement officially concluded on 30 December and was not renewed, leading to the show's immediate removal from the library.
Broadcaster Sarina Bellissimo publicly pondered the reasons behind not renewing such a hit. She speculated whether the decision was linked to the anticipated launch of HBO Max (now rebranded as Max) in the UK and Ireland in 2026. Since Friends was originally produced by Warner Bros., which owns HBO Max, the platform is a natural contender to host the show.
The Mystery of Friends' New Streaming Home
While it is widely believed that another OTT platform has already secured the rights, its identity remains a closely guarded secret. The strong speculation points towards HBO Max (Max) being the new home, aligning the show with its original studio. However, nothing has been officially confirmed for the Indian market yet.
Adding another layer to the drama, rumours suggest that Netflix itself is considering acquiring HBO Max. If such a merger were to happen, Friends could potentially find its way back to Netflix in the future, making its current removal a temporary setback.
In a small consolation for fans, Netflix has activated a 'Remind Me' button on the Friends title page. This feature will automatically notify subscribers if and when the show returns to the service, keeping a sliver of hope alive.
Wave of Content Removals in January 2026
The exit of Friends is part of a larger content purge on Netflix India at the start of 2026. A significant list of movies and web series is scheduled to leave the platform after 1 January. This includes major titles such as:
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
- Crazy Rich Asians and the Fifty Shades trilogy
- Mad Max: Fury Road and the Kung Fu Panda films
- Popular TV series like Lost (Seasons 1-6) and Prison Break (Seasons 1-5)
- Classics such as Taxi Driver, Scarface, and Dirty Dancing
The Maze Runner film series is also set for removal later in the month.
Social Media Erupts with Fan Grief
The announcement has triggered an outpouring of sadness and anxiety on Indian social media. Fans of the show, who often used it as a comfort watch, expressed their loss.
One fan shared a sad GIF, writing, "How I feel now, UK Netflix has taken Friends off. My comfort show I would chuck on constantly. Send background replacement suggestions, please. I am lost."
Another lamented, "Taking friends off Netflix tonight is actually giving me anxiety. It’s my go-to, comfort show. WTF am I going to do!!" A third commented, "Goodbye, Friends TV SHOW. You were comfort, memories, and the reason many stayed. Netflix didn’t just remove a show; it overlooked the audience that stood by it."
For now, dedicated fans can still visit the official Friends YouTube channel, which hosts a selection of full-length episodes. As the OTT wars intensify in India, the journey of where Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey, and Phoebe will land next is being watched with bated breath.
