“Friends” might be getting a reboot — on HBO Max (T), the new streaming service that debuts in May 2020.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the six core cast members along with co-creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman are in talks for a “reunion special,” although few details are known.
This comes as interest surrounding the sitcom is at an all-time high with the show’s 25th anniversary leading to pop-ups and theatrical showings across the country — along with the occasional Instagram glitch (FB).
Jennifer Aniston’s “Friends” reunion selfie (literally) caused the site to crash after fans flocked to “like” the photo. The pic also helped secure Aniston a Guinness World Record for fastest account to reach 1 million followers.
The appetite is there — and it’s not just OG viewers.
Thanks to Netflix (NFLX), “Friends” was able to connect with a younger generation — garnering an entirely new fan base in a short amount of time.
The show will be leaving the streaming giant in 2020 after WarnerMedia outbid Netflix in a deal worth a reported $425 million over five years.
The series, coupled with the rumored “reunion special,” should help better position HBO Max against the competition — especially as it enters the space at a much later time and at a much higher price point than services like Apple TV+, which debuted Nov. 1 for just $4.99 a month.
But it’s not just HBO Max cashing in on reboots.
Netflix secured a one-time licensing deal with Paramount for the fourth installment of “Beverly Hills Cop” starring Eddie Murphy.
This marks a big win for the platform as it looks to secure more star power and sexier titles.
Meanwhile, NBCUniversal’s (CMCSA) new Peacock service is set to host “Saved by the Bell” and “Battlestar Galactica” revivals — with NBC’s chairman also revealing to Deadline that resurrecting “The Office” is a big time “goal.”
And capitalizing on fan favorites from the past has seemed to do well for Disney+ (DIS).
The streaming newbie secured over 10 million subscribers in just one day — soaring past analyst estimates of 8 million by the end of 2019.
Alexandra Canal is a Producer at Yahoo Finance.
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