Netflix Officially Says Goodbye to 2 Long-Running Sitcoms

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In this illustration photo taken on July 19, 2022 the Netflix logo is seen on a TV remote in Los Angeles. Netflix reported losing subscribers for the second quarter in a row Tuesday as the streaming giant battles fierce competition and viewer belt tightening, but the company assured investors of better days ahead. The loss of 970,000 paying customers in the most recent quarter was not as big as expected, and left Netflix with just shy of 221 million subscribers. (Photo by Chris DELMAS / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Netflix is constantly rotating through new (and old) movies and television shows, but its latest update is a major loss for fans in five regions.


Netflix Says Goodbye to 2 Iconic Sitcoms

While the streaming service has revamped the way viewers watch television with award-winning original programming, some subscribers enjoy rewatching their favorite comfort shows over and over.

Come the new year, however, fans across the globe will have to bid farewell to “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

Viewers from the United States have long since come to terms with the loss of “Friends”—as it was previously pulled from the streamer due to an expiring licensing agreement—and never got the chance to enjoy “The Big Bang Theory.”

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Now, fans in the United Kingdom have until December 31, 2025, to rewatch their favorite shows, according to What’s On Netflix.

The shows will be pulled from Germany, Italy, South Africa, and Switzerland on December 30.


Where to Stream ‘Friends’ and ‘Big Bang Theory’

“Friends” premiered on NBC in September 1994. It starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry and ran for 10 seasons. The David Crane and Marta Kauffman series remains one of the greatest sitcoms of all time more than 30 years after its debut.

“The Big Bang Theory”—which was created by legendary producer Chuck Lorre—premiered in September 2007, starring Kaley Cuoco, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, and Mayim Bialik. The nerd comedy eventually beat the beloved “Must-See TV” series in length, running for 12 seasons on CBS.

Fans of “The Big Bang Theory” never fully had to saw goodbye, as the series spawned multiple spinoffs.

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“Young Sheldon”—which wrapped in 2024 after seven seasons—was a prequel series that followed Parsons’ character. “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” currently in its second season, is a direct sequel to “Young Sheldon.”

A third spinoff titled “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” was recently greenlit by HBO Max.

“I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ would have loved, hated, and argued about,” Lorre said during the spinoff’s announcement in July.

Following their exits from Netflix U.K. and beyond, “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” will find a new home at HBO Max in the five regions, which is also where U.S. viewers can currently stream.

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Netflix Officially Says Goodbye to 2 Long-Running Sitcoms

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