(Image: Alamy/PA)
An iconic 90s sitcom is returning to UK screens for free for the first time in more than a decade.
Channel 4 has announced it has secured the rights to stream the beloved series Friends.
The broadcaster has confirmed that the hit US comedy will return to Channel 4 in January 2027.
It will mark 11 years since it was last shown on free-to-air UK television.
Friends will be free to watch in UK in 2027 on Channel 4
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "Channel 4 today announces that the iconic US comedy Friends will return to its original UK home in January 2027.
"The Emmy Award-winning sitcom follows six friends, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey, as they navigate life, love, and work in New York City.
"Since its debut in 1994, Friends has become a global phenomenon and remains one of the most watched and celebrated comedy series of all time."
The show originally aired on Channel 4 before moving between networks over the years, eventually becoming available on Netflix in the UK until it was suddenly pulled from Netflix earlier this year.
After its removal from Netflix, Friends found a new home on HBO Max starting March 26.
The deal means UK viewers will once again have free access to the beloved sitcom.
With 236 episodes spanning a decade, Friends became a cultural touchstone and catapulted its cast—Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry—to international fame.
The series follows the lives of six friends in their 20s living in New York City, blending comedy with heartfelt moments that have resonated with audiences for generations.
Where to watch Friends in the UK
Until it arrives for free on Channel 4 in 2027, there are still some ways to watch Friends in the UK right now.
You can stream all 10 seasons on-demand with a subscription on HBO Max.
The series is also available on NOW TV or Sky via an Entertainment membership or Sky bundles that include HBO Max access.
Friends is also available to access on Amazon Prime Video through the HBO Max add-on channel.
Are you a fan of Friends? Let us know in the the comments.