I'm sure you have heard the bad news... both Friends and The Office will be leaving Netflix some time in the next couple of years. However, Netflix doesn't want to leave their streaming site without a classic sitcom. In order to fill the gap, Netflix has entered what turned out to be an epic and entertaining bidding war for Seinfeld, which is scheduled to leave Hulu in 2021.

We are losing 'Friends' and 'The Office' on Netflix :(

Friends is leaving Netflix in January 2020, while The Office from NBC is scheduled to leave in January 2021. This is probably why Netflix is turning to try and take streaming right from its nearest competitor, Hulu.

Netflix + Jerry Seinfeld = BFF

Netflix has Jerry Seinfeld show up on its Netflix Originals more than a couple of times. He appears in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and he has at least two Netflix Original stand-up comedy specials coming some time in the near future. So, it makes sense why they would want Seinfield the show to compliment their other shows. However, the show Seinfeld has been on Hulu for a while now... it was first released on Hulu back in 2015 in a multi-year deal.

What are the other streaming sites trying to get?

HBO Max is currently looking into getting Two and a Half-Men and The Big Bang Theory for 2020. The deal HBO Max is prepping comes to around $1 billion. In other words... HBO is reaching their spending limit fast! Meanwhile, Hulu seems to be pulling out of any bidding wars, and is now trying to get deals with Disney movies.

Word on The Street

“I hear Sony TV has pitched the show to multiple streamers, including HBO Max and Netflix. I hear there is no asking price that the distribution company is floating, but they likely are targeting a deal of a size similar to that for fellow 1990s Must See TV tentpole 'Friends' in the red-hot marketplace. That would be a major premium over the reported $130+ million 'Seinfeld‘s' current Hulu deal pays.” - Deadline

Hello. Nice to meet you! How are you? Hmm... this feels like a really one-sided conversation... why don't you follow me on social media so I can get to know you too!

Work Cited

“Netflix Reportedly Looking to Stream 'Seinfeld' from 2021.” What's on Netflix, 12 Aug. 2019, Website.

Petski, Denise. “'Jerry Before Seinfeld' Trailer: First Look At Jerry Seinfeld Netflix Stand-Up Special.” Deadline, 29 Aug. 2017, Website.

About the Author

I started blogging about two years ago, and my collection of blogs and articles is getting pretty impressive. I’ve taken online classes for writing, and even some classes about the art of blogging itself. It would be really awesome if you join the adventure, and maybe even help me think of what to write about next. If you would like to submit some feedback or ideas, you can always tweet me on twitter.

Like the story? Share it!

Thank you for reading my article. Would it be okay if I ask another favour though? Would it be okay if you share this on your Facebook page or Twitter? If you can't share, there is a tiny little donate box at the bottom too. No pressure though, just thought I would mention it.