The mega-promoted end to the decade long hit sitcom did not however top its own ratings high. The highest rated episode of “Friends” brought in 52.9 million viewers in 1996, when that episode was shown immediately after the Super Bowl. 

NBC reportedly predicted that the finale episode of the show would bring in between 45 to 50 million viewers. So it wasn’t a big surprise that the final “Friends” was far behind the three top rated series finales in television history-- "M*A*S*H" 106 million viewers (1983) – “Cheers” 80.4 million (1993)- "Seinfeld" 76.3 million (1998). 

What about our friends to the north? 5.16 million Canadians also tuned in to watch the final episode. 

Update 5-8-04 6:45 AM PST

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