Today may be worse for fans of "The Office" than the day Kevin infamously dropped an entire pot of his chili on the carpet. The beloved NBC comedy will be leaving Netflix in 2021 and heading to the network's new streaming service.
All nine seasons of the sitcom will be available on NBC's yet-to-be launched streaming service for five years, beginning in 2021, according to a Tuesday press release. NBC announced it secured the domestic streaming rights to the hit. 'The Office' is one of our most prized series, and we are thrilled it has found an exciting new home where generation after generation will continue to discover and rediscover Michael Scott's most cringe-worthy moments, Jim and Pam's will-they-or-won't-they, and the incredible quirky ensemble that makes each episode a masterclass in comedy," said Universal Television president Pearlena Igbokwe, according to the release. The comedy, which ran for nearly eight years, was streamed for over 52 billion minutes in 2018 and was the most-watched show on Netflix last year, according to the Wall Street Journal. The second spot was held by another network hit, "Friends." Netflix commented on the show's departure Tuesday. "We're sad that NBC has decided to take The Office back for its own streaming platform — but members can binge watch the show to their hearts' content ad-free on Netflix until January 2021," Netflix tweeted. NBC's ad-supported streaming service is set to launch in 2020. It will feature "some of the world's most popular television and film franchises, including homegrown original programming, as well as content from outside partners," the release said. "The Office" premiered on NBC in 2005 and was adapted from the hit BBC show of the same name. The hit is largely responsible for catapulting some of Hollywood's biggest stars into the limelight, including John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling and Steve Carell. In the words of Andy Bernard — and now likely fans everywhere: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them." via: www.cbsnews.com/news/the-office-leaving-netflix-2021-for-nbc-streaming-service/
After years of rumors, it's actually happening; The Office is leaving Netflix (in 2021)
As I am currently more shook than Meredith was after getting hit by Michael's PT Cruiser, please allow me to express my emotions in gif form.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, let's do a little reflection.
When someone tries to explain how streaming rights work.
"BuT DoZo, yOu CaN jUsT sUbScRiBe tO tHe NeW NbC StReAmInG aPp tO WaTcH tHe OfFicE"
Just what we all need: another streaming service to "alleviate" the high costs of cable.
As a huge (literally and figuratively) fan of The Office it hurts to admit (especially with its popularity in my youth) but I didn't watch The Office regularly until after Steve Carell left the show.
I mean, I knew about The Office and had seen bits and pieces, but let's be real; back in the late 2000's/early 2010's streaming was in its infancy. Unless you bought the DVDs you couldn't really catch up with a show unless you were really good at maneuvering a DVR. Even if that was the case, the likelihood of whatever program you're looking for being aired chronologically was minimal at best. Plus if you were like me and living at home you were low on the DVR rights Totem pole and subject to your dad deleting all your shows to have room on the DVR to record the same episode of Modern Marvels six times because he didn't know you can change the settings to only record the new episodes.
Being an idiotic 19 year old I didn't know a lot. One thing I did know was that someday thanks to the internet and streaming The Office would become the most popular one of the most beloved and pop culturally relevant shows ever. You gotta know those references! Having this foresight, I signed up for Netflix in 2011 specifically for The Office. I ended up binging the first 7 seasons in a tad over 3 weeks (11/30/11-12/25/11) and was hooked quicker than the amount of time Toby's hand was on Pam's knee. The Office was the first show I ever binged on Netflix. As a sentimental guy and huge Office fan I'm pretty sad to see it go. You never forget your first. Obviously there are a handful of more important issues worldwide, but with the quintessential "screw it, I'm done looking for something to watch" show (as of January 2021) gone from Netflix it's gonna be tough to move forward. Now you'll have to argue with your friends even longer before finally agreeing on something to have on in the background while you look at snapchat. Like many other lameos on the internet, I made the same shitty jokes about Netflix basically being a monthly subscription to own the DVDs of The Office, but as the say in comedy, it's funny because it's true. For like 3 years all I watched on Netflix was The Office and like 4 other shows. I'm quite intrigued to see what percentage of Netflix subscribers will leave when the rights for The Office expire. I saw a stat today that The Office made up for 3% of all streams on Netflix in 2018; crazy considering how many other options there are readily available. Now that we know it's gone that age old question "Is it better to die suddenly or have time to prepare and say goodbye?" comes into play. Do you want to go quick or suffer? The one good thing about The Office leaving Netflix is that its in 2021 which has like a 14% chance of not even happening. If the world ends by then at least may technically not ever have to live without The Office on Netflix. Like all losses, people react in a variety of ways. What stage of grief are you in?
1. Denial
2. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Anger
5. Acceptance.
P.S. I legitimately have re-watched The Office at least 15 times over the last 8 years. While its one of my favorite shows ever, it did sort of get to the point where it fell out of my "Netflix rotation" since there's so much great content on Netflix. It's re-watchable AF but with only so many hours in the day to stream you have to make sacrifices. Double P.S. That being said, something light-hearted like The Office is an absolute necessity for me after watching something dark and heavy late at night. I don't get how people can watch Ted Bundy shows then go right to sleep without a comedic-palate cleanser.
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