Nearly nine million people tuned in to watch the final episode of Friends air on Channel 4 in 2004.And now the smash hit US sitcom is returning to the broadcaster after 15 years, just as the company braces for its biggest round of layoffs ever.Channel 4 has struck a new deal for the free-to-air rights to the beloved 1990s programme, which will be broadcast again from January next year.The sitcom, which originally aired for 10 seasons between 1994 and 2004, was shown on Channel 4 until 2011 when it was bought by Comedy Central and then Netflix.After its streaming license expired last year, Friends was bought by HBO Max, which will remain its streaming home.Channel 4’s decision to buy back the free-to-air rights was due to it being an ‘audience favourite’ which will ‘complement the distinctive programming across our slate,’ said Kiran Nataraja, Director of Content Strategy. The smash hit sitcom Friends is returning to Channel 4 after 15 years, just as the company braces for its biggest round of layoffs everIt was ‘made possible’ due to the broadcaster’s ‘valued relationship’ with US production company Warner Bros.’Most of us remember exactly where we were when we watched the Friends finale,’ said Polly Scates, Head of Acquisitions.’This iconic series has enduring appeal and continues to bring together audiences of all ages. We’re thrilled to welcome Friends home to Channel 4.’The studio-based sitcom, starring Jennifer Aniston, 57, Courteney Cox, 62, Lisa Kudrow, 63, David Schwimmer, 59, Matt Le Blanc, 59, and the late Matthew Perry, was one of the biggest comedies of the 1990s.It was a ratings winner for Channel 4 at the time, with episodes regularly watched by upwards of two million viewers.After the final series aired in 2004, re-runs were aired on companion channel E4 and would often attract 400,000 viewers per episode. The sitcom, which originally aired for 10 seasons between 1994 and 2004, was shown on Channel 4 until 2011 when it was bought by Comedy Central and then NetflixBosses then decided to invest in more current US comedy, relinquishing the rights to Friends in favour of shows such as New Girl.The decision to bring the sitcom back the broadcaster comes at a time when it is poised to make a number of brutal in-house job cuts.Channel 4’s new chief executive Priya Dogra has been tasked with making a series of savings and cost reductions at the broadcaster, with around a quarter of its workforce expected to be axed.Ms Dogra is also restructuring the company’s commissioning strategy and is expected to cut back on the amount of new shows it commissions while focusing on sure-fire hits.