The US sitcom ‘Friends’ premiered in Spain on November 27, 1997, on Canal +, four years after its NBC debut. It arrived under the title ‘Colegas’ for just the first season and was already a major hit in the United States. The open-air broadcast sparked interest for its appealing cast and upbeat message.
‘Friends’ debuted on NBC in September 1994 with over 25 million viewers, quickly becoming a hit. Four years later, on November 27, 1997, at 8:00 PM, it arrived on Spanish television via Canal + in open broadcast, dubbed in Spanish. By that time, the US was airing its fourth season, and the lead actors were established stars.
Spanish media portrayed it as a phenomenon poised for success. An El País report noted “a cast of good-looking people pleasant to watch” and a “clear message of youth and joy”, while acknowledging its “slightly controversial” start due to featuring lesbianism in a comedy. The title ‘Colegas’ applied only to the first season, heard in the intro's voice-over, and did not continue.
The series wrapped up in Spain in March 2005 on Canal +, one year after its US finale, which drew 52 million viewers. Prior English working titles included “Friends like us”, “Six of One”, and “Insomnia Café”. In the 1990s, international releases often lagged months or years behind, unlike today's simultaneous streaming on global platforms.