Netflix subscribers across the UK have been dealt a significant blow this December, with a slate of beloved television series set to vanish from the platform by the end of the month. The departure, which fans have labelled 'devastating', is headlined by the iconic sitcom Friends, which will be removed on December 30.
The Major Shows Saying Goodbye to Netflix
The exodus is not limited to just one show. Several other popular titles, many owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, are also packing their bags. This move is widely seen as a precursor to the anticipated launch of HBO Max in the UK, scheduled for March, though recent corporate manoeuvres have clouded that picture.
In a surprising twist, it was announced that Netflix itself is in the process of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. The implications of this mega-merger for the streaming landscape are yet to be fully understood, but for now, the immediate consequence is clear: a number of Warner-owned hits are leaving Netflix's UK library.
Full List of Departures
The confirmed list of shows exiting Netflix UK this December includes some of the platform's most-watched comfort viewing.
Friends: The quintessential New York sitcom, a perennial favourite for re-watchers, will be gone on December 30. Fans can purchase full seasons on Amazon Prime Video for £14.99 per box set or via Apple TV.
The Big Bang Theory: Another Warner Bros. sitcom giant, which joined Netflix in 2016, is also departing on December 30. UK viewers can currently stream it for free on Channel 4's on-demand service.
How I Met Your Mother: This spiritual successor to Friends, following the lives of a group of New York friends, is also leaving. It has now found a new streaming home on Disney Plus in the UK.
Law & Order: SVU: The record-breaking primetime drama will have its five available seasons removed from Netflix on New Year's Eve.
Mad Men: The acclaimed drama about 1960s advertising executives is presumed to be leaving to join the HBO Max roster, though the UK version on Netflix remains free of the technical errors that plagued a recent remaster.
Birdsong: The beloved BBC period drama starring Eddie Redmayne and Matthew Goode, adapted from Sebastian Faulks' novel, is also set for removal this month.
What This Means for Viewers and the Streaming Wars
The loss of these titles underscores the increasingly fragmented nature of the streaming market. As major media conglomerates reclaim their content for their own platforms, subscribers are forced to juggle multiple services or lose access altogether.
The pending merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery adds a further layer of complexity. While it could eventually lead to a more consolidated library, the short-term result is uncertainty and the removal of fan-favourite shows.
For now, viewers have a firm deadline: December 30 is the last day to watch Friends and The Big Bang Theory on Netflix. The other shows have similar end-of-month expiration dates. The advice for fans is to finish any re-watches and explore the alternative viewing options now available across other UK platforms.
