The show has found a loyal audience with a generation that doesn't understand the show was actually aired at a time when you had to wait for it at a specific time and could only watch it on television. Binge-watching was not a thing back then.
Interestingly, Netflix bought the exclusive rights to run it for one more year for $100 million in 2018 and it was one of the most popular shows of Netflix till it was taken off the platform at the end of 2019. WarnerMedia recognised that they could mint a lot of money by bringing the show back to its new HBO Max service set to launch in May 2020. The DVD sales of the entire series have soared since the beginning of the year even though the show isn't currently streaming on any platform. WarnerMedia thinks its a good sign that will prompt people to sign up for the $15 subscription.
Millions of fans have wished to see the six friends together one more time and it seems like their wish has finally come true. WarnerMedia announced that "the Friends cast will be reuniting exclusively for an untitled unscripted special," that will air on HBO MAX.
"Series stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer will return to the iconic comedy's original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank for a celebration of the beloved show," the company said in a statement.
The last of the friend to join Instagram, Matthew Perry, shared his joy with us:
Come to think of it, the idea is brilliant. People aren't going to subscribe to HBO Max just for one special. But they probably will if they get all 236 episodes together at the service. WarnerMedia is definitely counting on F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and the reunion special to drive attention to the platform, and give the show's most loyal fans enough to make them customers.