Comedy Central UK Secures Exclusive Linear Rights to Hit Comedy Series Friends

The U.S. comedy series Friends will have a new on-air home in the UK beginning Autumn 2011, as Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) has licensed the exclusive linear rights to the hit sitcom to Viacom’s Comedy Central UK in a multiyear deal. The announcement was made today by Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television, and Jill Offman, Managing Director, Comedy Central UK.

Under terms of the agreement, WBITD has licensed Friends to Comedy Central for a period of four years, commencing in October 2011.

Jeffrey Schlesinger said: "Friends is one of the most successful comedy franchises in television history, a long-running hit with global appeal that continues to perform extremely well in the UK. We are certain that Friends will continue to be very popular as it moves to Comedy Central and joins our other long-running hit, Two and a Half Men, making this channel the home to two of the best and most successful comedies produced by our studio over the last 20 years."

Jill Offman said: "As the home of comedy in the UK, it only makes sense that Comedy Central shows one of the most popular comedies ever to come out of the U.S."

Comedy Central UK launched in April 2009 and currently presents exclusive premieres of U.S. series Two and a Half Men (from WBITD), South Park and 30 Rock, as well as commissioning UK shows Grouchy Young Men and Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee. Additionally, Comedy Central UK airs the biggest live comedy specials from names including Chris Rock, Dara O’Briain, Alan Carr and Michael McIntyre.

A hilarious look at dating and working in the big city, Friends delve into the hearts and minds of six young adults living in New York City as they explore the anxieties and absurdities of growing up. During this exciting time when everything seems possible – even marriage, parenthood and career moves – they know they will always face the future together, because they’ve got friends. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer star in the comedy from Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Friends was created by David Crane & Marta Kauffman, who also executive produced with Kevin S. Bright. The series is distributed around the world by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.