On February 6th, 2004, the last episode of "Friends", titled "The Last One" aired on NBC. The series creators finished the first draft of the episode in January 2004, and filming took place on January 16th and 23rd, 2004 at Warner Bros. Stage 24 studio. Following the end of filming, Stage 24 was renamed "The Friends Stage". The finale was heavily advertised weeks prior to its airing. Prices for a 30 second commercial during the finale cost an average of $2 million, which makes it the largest advertising rate ever for a sitcom, breaking the "Seinfeld" finale's record of $1.7 million. The finale was watched by 52.5 million American viewers, making it the most-watched telecast in six years and the fourth most watched series finale in American history behind "MASH", "Cheers", and "Seinfeld".Â
