Could this BE any more of a homecoming? ‘Friends’ is heading back to Channel 4 in January 2027, bringing all ten seasons of the much-loved US sitcom back to its original UK broadcaster. Better still, Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey will be available to watch for free on Channel 4 and E4, including via Channel 4’s streaming service.
It’s been a rather long coffee break. The series was last broadcast on Channel 4 in 2011, meaning it’s been well over a decade since viewers could catch up with the gang on the channel that helped make them household names in Britain.
The One Where They Come Home
First arriving on US screens in 1994, ‘Friends’ follows six New Yorkers as they navigate relationships, careers, questionable dating decisions and an apparently unlimited amount of free time to sit around drinking coffee.
The sitcom stars Jennifer Aniston (‘The Morning Show’) as Rachel Green, Courteney Cox (Scream) as Monica Geller, Lisa Kudrow (‘The Comeback’) as Phoebe Buffay, David Schwimmer (‘Intelligence’) as Ross Geller, Matthew Perry (‘The Odd Couple’) as Chandler Bing and Matt LeBlanc (‘Episodes’) as Joey Tribbiani.
Running for ten seasons until 2004, the show became a defining part of Channel 4 and E4’s schedules, back when E4 was a go-to destination for US television, rather than today’s home for reality TV slop, ‘Hollyoaks’ and old films. Ah, those were the days…
It has hardly been difficult to find ‘Friends’ in the years since, with the comedy appearing on various UK channels and streaming services, including Netflix and, more recently, HBO Max. But there is something rather fitting about it ending up back where it started.
For anyone wondering whether that means it is disappearing from HBO Max, it doesn’t. The series will remain available on HBO Max in the UK, while Channel 4’s new deal with Warner Bros. brings it back to free-to-air television and free streaming. In other words, you won’t need another subscription to revisit the one with the sofa, the one with the leather trousers, or the one where Ross insists they were on a break.
A Familiar Face For Channel 4
Kiran Nataraja, Channel 4’s Director of Content Strategy, described ‘Friends’ as a natural fit for the broadcaster, highlighting its enduring popularity with existing fans and new generations of viewers.
Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4, who secured the deal with Warner Bros., said: “Most of us remember exactly where we were when we watched the Friends finale! This iconic series has enduring appeal and continues to bring together audiences of all ages. We’re thrilled to welcome Friends home to Channel 4.”
The return also underlines just how remarkably long the sitcom’s appeal has lasted. More than two decades after its final episode, the Central Perk gang are still finding new audiences, while plenty of long-time fans seem perfectly happy to watch the same episodes for the 37th time. To be fair, some of us can probably quote entire scenes at this point.
Channel 4 has not yet confirmed an exact January launch date or how the episodes will be scheduled on E4. What is confirmed is that all ten seasons are coming back, with the option to stream them for free. So whether you’re planning a complete rewatch or just want something familiar to stick on while eating dinner, the gang will be there for you once again.
‘Friends’ returns in January 2027 on Channel 4 and E4, with all ten seasons available to stream for free on Channel 4.
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