The Office is leaving Netflix in 2020 to join NBC Universal's new streaming service

The Hollywood Reporter

It's official: Netflix is losing its No. 1 show. The Office will exit Netflix at the end of 2020 to join NBC Universal's upcoming streaming service starting in January 2021. According to The Hollywood Reporter's Lesley Goldberg, NBC Universal is paying $100 million a year for five years for The Office rights after outbidding Netflix. "Producers Universal Television held the auction, which sources describe as 'arms length' in process," Goldberg explains. "That means that Universal Television and potential bidders, like sibling company NBCU streaming and Netflix — were kept far apart in a bid to ensure a fair auction and that profit participants got the best deal for the series." Bonnie Hammer, who heads NBCUniversal Direct to Consumer and digital enterprises, says of the move: “The Office has become a staple of pop culture and is a rare gem whose relevance continues to grow at a time when fans have more entertainment choices than ever before. We can’t wait to welcome the gang from Dunder Mifflin to NBC Universal’s new streaming service." NBC Universal's streaming service is expected to launch in late 2020. Netflix responded to the announcement, saying in a statement: "We're sad that NBC has decided to take The Office back for its own streaming platform — but members can binge watch the show to their hearts' content ad-free on Netflix until January 2021."