Friends cast are still getting paid $20 million a year thanks to re-runs and were not jealous at all

The Friends cast struck gold quite literally thanks to their time on the show – as nearly 15 years on from the show finishing, theyre still earning a whopping $20million a year.

By the time the show wrapped up in 2004, the lead six cast members were all getting paid $1million per episode, with 24 episodes throughout that season.

However, their managers and the team at Warner Brothers knew they were going to be on to a winner and re-runs had already started, so in 2002 they were signed up to a 2% syndication fee.

Basically, it means they get 2% of the money coming in to Warner as they charge for the re-runs to be shown again on TV.

While 2% sounds a little measly by itself, were pretty sure even Joey couldnt blow the amount that it totals – a staggering $20million each seeing as the show earns Warner Bros approximately $1billion annually even now.

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On top of that, with a massive deal with Netflix cementing the series of the streaming site for the next year, that amount could well double.

The service confirmed that Friends wasnt going anywhere throughout 2019 – and its reported they shelled out $100million (£78million) to keep the faves exactly where they are for now.

The New York Times have claimed that this was the figure demanded of Netflix in order for them to hold onto the sitcom, with the lofty sum going to Friends owner WarnerMedia.

Both Netflix and WarnerMedia declined to comment on the reported figures when approached by The NYT.

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Thats a hell of a lot of pizza and coffee to keep the gang going!

So seeing as theyre earning about the same amount they were earning per season for doing no work at all, its really not surprising that theyre not all entirely up for the show making a comeback.

Now…any chance one of you lot will lend us a tenner?

Friends is available to watch now on Netflix.

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