Why Friends Is Staying On Netflix (and Making Its Cast Richer)

Richard April 16, 2025

Hold onto your couch cushions, because there’s some big news about one of the most iconic TV shows of all time. Netflix made headlines when they announced that Friends would be leaving their platform in the new year. Panic ensued! People everywhere freaked out, imagining a world without Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe just a click away. But here’s the twist: Netflix quickly realized they couldn’t afford to lose us, the loyal fans. So, they ponied up a reported $100 million to keep Friends streaming for another year. And guess what? That decision is also lining the pockets of the beloved cast.

The Cast Gets Paid—Big Time

Thanks to Netflix caving under pressure from rabid Friends fans (that's us!), the original stars of the show are set to earn some serious cash. According to Daily Mail, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc will see their earnings skyrocket. Each year, they’ll now rake in about $22 million solely from the show’s streaming rights. How did this happen? Well, as part of the deal, the cast gets a 2% cut of the profits from syndication. That translates into an extra $1.4 million per person annually. Honestly, maybe we should thank ourselves for binging every episode so religiously—and skipping daylight entirely.

A Little History Lesson

Let’s take it back to 1994, when Friends first aired. Back then, the cast earned a modest $22,500 per episode. Fast forward to today, and their earnings have skyrocketed exponentially. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about the enduring power of a show that has remained relevant across generations. Netflix knows that removing Friends would’ve been a disaster for their subscriber numbers. After all, who doesn’t love watching Ross accidentally marry Emily or Joey trying to act in a soap opera?

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For Netflix, keeping Friends on its platform isn’t cheap. Since 2015, they’ve been paying WarnerMedia a whopping $30 million annually just to keep the show available. Clearly, it’s worth it. Fans wouldn’t take kindly to finding out their favorite sitcom was gone. So, for at least another year, we can rest easy knowing that Friends will still be there for us. And hey, if we ever want to keep the show around longer? All we need to do is threaten to cancel our subscriptions. Works every time, right?

Will There Ever Be New Episodes?

The Holiday Armadillo has granted your wish: “Friends” will still be there for you in the US throughout 2019 pic.twitter.com/Yd0VqRzk3r
— Netflix US (@netflix) December 3, 2018

Now, here’s the question everyone’s been asking: Will the cast reunite for new episodes? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be no—at least for now. During a recent event, Courtney Cox addressed the topic. “I just don’t see it happening,” she admitted. Despite loving her co-stars and enjoying their time together, she doesn’t think a reunion is in the cards. Still, there’s always hope. If someone needs a little extra cash—or if fans demand it loud enough—we might see them back on screen. Stranger things have happened!

So, grab your favorite blanket, cue up your favorite episodes, and enjoy knowing that Friends is sticking around for at least another year. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll get another chance to see these characters in action.