Friends being in 4:3 and no HD probably were contributory factors. With HD becoming commonplace all the old 4:3 and increasingly non HD stuff will be retired much earlier than usual.
The first few series are definitely blurry smudgy copies, not exactly a showcase for a HD service granted!
That Channel 4 press release makes it sound as though it was an intentional decision to axe Friends, however, according to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8508237.stm, Channel 4 lost out in a bidding war with Comedy Central for the contract. If that is to be believed then maybe they haven't been planning to axe Friends and they're just trying to make the best of it by claiming they are re-thinking the schedules?
The Golden Girls is on living, well was up to last year.
Weekends only, at lunchtime.
Not weeknight early evenings like Friends.
Indeed. For a time, Living aired the show on weekdays but at 09.00 or 10.00am. However, for the majority of time it's been tucked away at about 10:00am on weekends, which is hardly a prime viewing time. I think it last aired on Living in 2008.
I'm happy to report I'm delighted it won't feature in C4's schedules.
I can't stand it.
It's fodder for students, namely on weekends and holidays one episode after another.
Just like that mastercheff on the BBC - everytime I tune to them it's on again with the same irritating opening titles from two blokes who look like they need a wash and the infuriating woman's VO with gravitas and "jeopardy".
Good riddance.