The Fosters is a popular family drama television series that aired on Freeform from 2013 to 2018. The show centers around an interracial lesbian couple, Stef and Lena, raising a blended family of biological, foster and adopted children. The Fosters received critical acclaim and was praised for its representation of LGBT families on television.
Quick Answer
Unfortunately, season 5 of The Fosters is not currently available to stream on Netflix in the US. While seasons 1-4 of The Fosters were previously available on Netflix US, they were removed in July 2019. Netflix often licenses shows for a certain period of time, after which the license expires and the show is removed.
More Details on The Fosters Seasons on Netflix
Here are some more details on which seasons of The Fosters are available on Netflix:
- Seasons 1-4 were previously available on Netflix US until July 2019
- Currently, none of the seasons are available to stream on Netflix in the US
- The first 3 seasons are available on Netflix in some international regions such as Canada, Australia, and the UK
- Season 5 has not been made available on Netflix in any region yet
So in summary, while the first 4 seasons were previously available on Netflix in the US, they have since been removed. And unfortunately season 5 has not been added to Netflix in any region yet.
Will Season 5 of The Fosters be on Netflix?
Whether Netflix will add season 5 of The Fosters in the future is unclear. Here are some insights on the possibilities:
- Netflix sometimes adds new seasons of shows years later, so it’s possible season 5 could still be added in the future.
- However, given that seasons 1-4 were already removed, Netflix may no longer have the license to stream new seasons of the show.
- New seasons are more likely to be added to Hulu or Freeform’s streaming platforms, since they have direct deals with the network.
- Netflix increasingly focuses on owning the exclusive rights to stream original content rather than licensing other networks’ shows.
Based on these factors, the chances of The Fosters season 5 being added to Netflix US in the future seem relatively low. But fans still hoping to see it on Netflix should not give up hope entirely.
How to Watch The Fosters Season 5
Since season 5 isn’t on Netflix, here are some alternative ways to watch the latest season of The Fosters:
- Hulu – You can stream the full fifth season with a Hulu subscription.
- Freeform app – Watch season 5 on demand with a cable log-in on the Freeform website/app.
- Amazon Prime Video – Purchase individual episodes or the full season to watch.
- iTunes – Buy the fifth season or individual episodes to download.
- DVD – Purchase season 5 DVD box set at retail stores or online.
So even without Netflix, you still have plenty of options to purchase or stream the newest season of The Fosters through various digital platforms or on disc.
The Fosters Season Overview
Here is a quick overview of how many seasons The Fosters ran for and when they aired:
| Season | Number of Episodes | Original US Air Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 21 | June 3, 2013 – August 5, 2013 |
| Season 2 | 21 | January 13, 2014 – August 18, 2014 |
| Season 3 | 20 | June 8, 2015 – March 28, 2016 |
| Season 4 | 20 | June 20, 2016 – April 11, 2017 |
| Season 5 | 20 | July 11, 2017 – June 6, 2018 |
The Fosters concluded after 5 seasons and 103 episodes. Each season consisted of around 20-21 episodes and aired in the summer months on Freeform (previously ABC Family).
The Impact of The Fosters
While it’s disappointing that the newest season hasn’t been added to Netflix yet, it’s important to recognize the significant impact The Fosters had during its five season run. Here are some of the ways the groundbreaking show made a difference:
- Provided representation for an underrepresented group – LGBT families
- Tackled important social issues like discrimination, identity, and the foster system
- Became the longest running show with a lesbian couple as lead characters
- Received awards and recognition for promoting diversity in entertainment
- Inspired and empowered marginalized youth who rarely see themselves onscreen
- Featured one of the youngest same-sex kisses on U.S. television
The Fosters has been praised as both a trailblazing and quality series. Its writing, directing and acting have earned it accolades. The positive portrayal of an LGBT family made an impact on culture. While fans may be impatient to see season 5 on Netflix, the show’s legacy remains intact.
Awards Won by The Fosters
Here are some of the notable awards and nominations received by The Fosters over its acclaimed run:
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series | 2015, 2016 & 2018 |
| Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer TV Show | 2015 |
| Television Academy Honors Award | 2016 |
| GLAAD Outstanding Individual Episode | 2014, 2017 |
In addition, the series received multiple nominations at the Teen Choice Awards, GLAAD Awards and People’s Choice Awards during its run. Lead actress Teri Polo and Sherri Saum also received individual award nominations for their performances.
Why Netflix Removes Shows
When examining why The Fosters is no longer on Netflix, it’s helpful to understand some of the reasons Netflix takes down content:
- Licensing agreements expire – Netflix licenses shows for a certain period of time.
- Owners pull content – Studios sometimes take shows to their own platforms.
- Netflix shifts focus – Removing older licensed shows allows Netflix to spotlight originals.
- Regions have different rights – Licenses are complex across different countries.
With The Fosters, it seems the licensing deal with Freeform simply reached its end. This allows Freeform to retain the exclusivity of their content. While unfortunate for audiences, it is a reality of the complicated streaming and licensing landscape.
The Fosters Fans Want Season 5 on Netflix
Based on passionate fan feedback online, it’s clear that viewers would love season 5 of The Fosters to be added to Netflix. Here are some of the reasons fans are hoping to get the latest season:
- Ease of streaming on their platform of choice
- Ability to binge watch the newest season
- Frustration with no longer having earlier seasons
- Netflix’s high quality availability of the first 4 seasons
- Convenience of having the full series in one place
Fans have taken to Twitter and online forums to express their disappointment and ask Netflix to bring the show back. However, Netflix may no longer hold the license, making it difficult to meet these requests quickly. But fan passion could still influence a licensing renewal down the line.
Fan Petitions for The Fosters Season 5 on Netflix
Some fans have launched petitions urging Netflix to add season 5 of The Fosters. Two of the largest Change.org petitions have over 16,000 signatures combined. Here are their stats:
| Petition Title | Number of Signatures |
|---|---|
| Bring The Fosters back to Netflix | 9,769 |
| Please add season 5 of The Fosters to Netflix | 6,823 |
While it’s unclear if these petitions will definitively lead Netflix to take action, they demonstrate the enthusiasm of the fanbase. The numbers suggest thousands of people would be eager to stream season 5 if it became available. For devoted fans, accessing the newest season on Netflix remains the ideal scenario.
The Future of The Fosters on Streaming
Looking ahead, what could the future hold for The Fosters on streaming platforms?
- Freeform retains the rights, keeping it exclusive to their platforms
- Hulu continues streaming due to corporate ties with Freeform
- Netflix or Prime Video renew license in future years
- As ownership consolidates, a unified streaming home becomes possible
- The spinoff Good Trouble could create renewed interest
Realistically, seasons 1-4 are unlikely to return to Netflix. But a surprise licensing deal or strategic partnership could potentially open the door for season 5. As the media landscape shifts, fans should keep hope that The Fosters finds the perfect streaming home again soon.
Good Trouble Continues the Story
Fans can still get their fix of the Foster family universe through the spinoff series Good Trouble. Centered around adopted sisters Callie and Mariana, Good Trouble premiered in 2019 and is currently airing its 4th season on Freeform.
Key details on Good Trouble:
- Follows Callie and Mariana as twenty-somethings starting new lives in Los Angeles
- Includes appearances from characters like Jesus, Brandon and more
- Tackles young adult issues of career, romance and activism
- Airs on Freeform and streams on Hulu
- Renewed for season 5 ahead of season 4 premiere
While it focuses on a slightly older demographic, Good Trouble carries on the legacy of The Fosters. Fans can continue enjoying the progressive, open-minded storytelling and values instilled by its predecessor. As viewers await any news on season 5 hitting Netflix, Good Trouble offers more stories from characters they know and love.
Conclusion
In summary, season 5 of the acclaimed family drama The Fosters unfortunately remains unavailable on Netflix in the US and all other regions at this time. The streaming license expired in 2019, leading to removal of seasons 1-4 as well. Fans eager to see the newest season on Netflix have launched petitions and made appeals online. But the rights issues make adding season 5 to Netflix unlikely in the near future.
Still, devoted fans have options to purchase or stream the latest season through other platforms. And the future may bring strategic shifts that open up possibilities of The Fosters finding a streaming home again. For now, the spinoff Good Trouble continues the story for fans to enjoy. But many are still holding out hope that one day, they can stream the entire run of this groundbreaking show on Netflix once again.
