Image: NBCUniversal
After much speculation, we now have an official confirmation of this The good place It will leave Netflix in all territories where it carries the “Netflix Original” branding on September 25, Just as we previously covered here When the United States saw the series exit completely.
If you’ve logged into X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, or TikTok recently, you’ve probably seen anger and confusion from subscribers. The prevalent question we see in our inboxes is: “Wait, how can Netflix remove the Netflix original?!”
"Only on Netflix"
"Leaving soon"
Then where the fuck do I watch it? pic.twitter.com/IY49bL7HI3— Sponge ! ⛓️🪚👱 era (@SussedSponge) September 6, 2026
It’s a valid question. After all, “original” means that Netflix made it, owns it, and will keep it on its servers until the end of time. But the reality of streaming rights is much more complex than the red “N” logo on your thumbnail.
Here’s the scoop on why Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason are packing their bags, and why “original” doesn’t always mean forever.
Explaining the “Netflix Original” label.
To understand why The good place He will leave, we have to look back at how the offer was distributed.
The good place It is actually an NBCUniversal production. When the series premiered in 2016, it aired weekly on NBC in the United States. However, in order to bring the show to global audiences, Netflix struck a lucrative licensing deal with NBCUniversal for exclusive international distribution rights.
Since Netflix was the sole and exclusive home of the show in regions such as the UK, Australia, Canada and parts of Europe, they were legally allowed to trademark it “Netflix Original” and market it as their own. We’ve seen this same strategy used in other massive network strikes such as Riverdale, You’d better call Sauland Peaky Blinders.
However, these distribution deals are not permanent. They are basically long-term rentals. Netflix has agreed to lease the international streaming rights for a specified number of years after the final season is added. With that pre-determined window now closed, the rights revert back to NBCUniversal. Going forward, the series will likely be syndicated on NBCUniversal’s streaming platforms (such as Peacock, where available) or licensed to other local broadcast stations.
Even shows that are produced exclusively for Netflix can fall under this as well. In fact, the Mike Schur show is on Netflix Man inside It will eventually return to NBCUniversal as well.
Even though the show ended in 2020, it remains an absolute juggernaut in the streaming world. If you connect the offer to our reach Netflix engagement report finderyou can easily see its performance on Netflix over the past few years. From 2023 through mid-2023, the series has amassed 371.9 million viewing hours across its four seasons, although there has been a notable decline since the series left the US library.
If you’re a long-time What’s on Netflix reader, you’ll know that this is not an isolated incident. In fact, the list of Netflix Originals leaving the service gets longer every month.
Whether that’s co-productions, exclusive international distribution deals, or early legacy titles where Netflix simply didn’t own the core IP (like the Marvel Defenders saga or… Hemlock Grove), the era of always-on streaming libraries is officially over.
We actually keep a constant track of this phenomenon. You can view our huge and constantly updated list Every Netflix original has been removed from Netflix here.
departure The good place This is just the tip of the iceberg as we head into fall.
It’s going to be an exceptionally busy month for TV takedowns across the board. We are currently tracking several other high-profile licensed series that are scheduled to depart in the US and abroad.
To make sure you don’t miss out on finishing your current viewing, head over to our comprehensive guide to What will leave Netflix in October 2025?.
Are you going to run one last marathon? The good place Before he disappears into the Bad Place on September 25? Let us know in the comments below!