Comedy Central signs deal for four more years

Friends repeats will be a mainstay of the Comedy Central channel for the next four years after the broadcaster signed a deal renewing its exclusive rights.

And to mark the news, the channel is opening a Friends 'experience' in London featuring a full-scale set of Monica’s apartment and an exhibition of original props and memorabilia.

The FriendsFest – which also features a Central Perk inspired café and a pop-up 'Rachel' blow dry salon – will be at The Boiler House in Brick Lane from Wednesday September 16 to Sunday September 20.

Jill Offman, managing director of Comedy Central UK, said:'Friends is hugely popular, with almost 5.9 million people tuning in to watch it on Comedy Central each month.

'As we celebrate news that Comedy Central will remain the exclusive TV home of Friends, it’s great to give something special to fans and what better way than with FriendsFest.'

Of the new deal, Jeffrey Schlesinger, president of rights-holders Warner Bros Worldwide Television Distribution said: 'This great show continues to run contrary to all the usual trends for long-running sitcoms by not only maintaining a loyal audience but attracting new fans, some of whom were not even alive when it was originally telecast.

'The performance and renewal on Comedy Central reinforces that Friends continues to be a culturally relevant programme, making it one of the few reliable hit shows that crosses generational lines and still attracts a large and diverse audience on linear television.'

Comedy Central is now going to air all 236 episodes of Friends in chronological order on weekdays starting from Monday August 24, while tickets to FriendsFest will be available from midday today.

Published: 12 Aug 2015