Friends is officially returning to Channel 4 in the UK, with all ten seasons of the iconic sitcom set to be available to watch and stream for free from January 2027.
Channel 4 confirmed the deal on October 15, bringing the series back to its original UK broadcaster for the first time since 2011. Episodes will be available through Channel 4’s streaming service and will also air on E4.
The announcement gives UK viewers a new free way to watch the complete series alongside its existing availability on HBO Max.
When Is ‘Friends’ Returning To Channel 4?
Friends will return to Channel 4 in January 2027.
An exact launch date has not yet been announced, but Channel 4 has confirmed that the complete series will become available during the month.
The sitcom originally aired on Channel 4 in the UK and remained closely associated with the broadcaster throughout its original run. It was last broadcast on Channel 4 in 2011, meaning its 2027 return comes around 15 years after leaving the channel.
Will ‘Friends’ Be Free To Stream In The UK?
Yes. Channel 4 has confirmed that all ten seasons of Friends will be available to stream for free in the UK from January 2027.
The full series will be available through Channel 4’s free streaming service, while episodes will also be shown on E4. Viewers will therefore be able to watch the sitcom without taking out a separate paid streaming subscription.
Channel 4 acquired the rights from Warner Bros., which distributes the series.
Is ‘Friends’ Leaving HBO Max In The UK?
No. The Channel 4 deal does not mean that Friends is leaving HBO Max in the UK.
The series remains part of the HBO Max UK library, while Channel 4 has secured separate free-to-air and free-streaming rights. That gives viewers a choice between watching through HBO Max or waiting for the free Channel 4 option to launch in January.
Friends was included among the major Warner Bros. Television boxsets available when HBO Max launched in Britain earlier this year. You can read Popped’s full guide to HBO Max UK and its launch line-up here.
Why Is ‘Friends’ Returning To Channel 4?
Channel 4 says the sitcom’s continuing popularity made it a natural fit for the broadcaster as it expands the amount of recognisable archive programming available through its streaming service.
The deal also brings one of television’s most recognisable comedies back to the broadcaster where many UK viewers originally watched it.
The series originally ran for ten seasons between 1994 and 2004, following Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey as they navigated relationships, careers and life in New York City.
Who Stars In ‘Friends’?
Jennifer Aniston stars as Rachel Green, alongside Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing and David Schwimmer as Ross Geller.
Perry’s life and legacy will also be explored in Netflix’s upcoming three-part documentary series The One About Matthew Perry, which premieres on October 27.
All ten seasons of Friends will be available to stream for free on Channel 4 in January 2027 and will also air on E4. An exact January release date has not yet been announced.
