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Here's why you won't be able to stream Pretty Little Liars for months

Photo credit: ABC Family / Freeform
Photo credit: ABC Family / Freeform

From Digital Spy

Viewers have more choice than ever before, and that's only set to increase in the coming months when the likes of Disney+ and Apple TV+ get up and running.

In theory, it sounds great. But those choices are going to demand your hard-earned dollar and as the number of platforms continues to expand, many will have to make sacrifices as they choose between the old, such as Netflix, and those pesky new kids on the block.

The battle lines are already being drawn. It was announced earlier this month that Friends will leave Netflix US when WarnerMedia's brand new streaming platform, HBO Max, launches in spring 2020.

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Television - Getty Images
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Television - Getty Images

The treasured sitcom is owned by Warner Bros Television, part of WarnerMedia. Now that the corporation has skin in the streaming game, it wants to take back its biggest titles and reserve any major upcoming projects for paying customers only.

Channels owned by WarnerMedia and therefore affected by the changes include HBO, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim – and that means shows such as Game of Thrones, Sex and the City and Westworld (HBO), alongside Friends and other classics such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, will live exclusively on HBO Max in what's set to be the most competitive period in TV history.

"You can expect the crown jewels of Warner will ultimately end up on the new service," said WarnerMedia chief creative officer Kevin Reilly at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. "Sharing destination assets is not a good model. My belief is they should be exclusive to the service."

But a Netflix spokesperson did tell Digital Spy that the changes "only apply to the US and there is no impact on the UK" at the moment.

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Television - Getty Images
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Television - Getty Images

Netflix US is about to suffer another blow. Variety reported that Pretty Little Liars is also leaving the platform on July 27 because it, too, is heading to HBO Max, and that's the only place US viewers will be able to stream it. If you want to relive all seven seasons, you'll have to pick up a physical copy or purchase it from the likes of Amazon, Apple iTunes or Google Play.

According to Variety, it's unclear whether Netflix tried to negotiate an extension for the series to remain on the platform until the end of the year, something that Friends is doing.

Photo credit: ABC Family / Freeform
Photo credit: ABC Family / Freeform

Once again, that switch will not affect Netflix customers in the UK and Ireland, as well as a number of other international territories.

How long that will last, however, remains to be seen.


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