LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Netflix Tuesday confirmed long-standing rumours that hit TV show Full House, a family sitcom that captivated millions of viewers in the 1980s and '90s, is returning to the small screen.

The streaming giant has commissioned 13 episodes of a reboot called Fuller House, which will air in 2016 and centre on the family of DJ Tanner, one of the children in the original series.

The original episodes, which told the story of widower Danny Tanner, who was raising three daughters with the help of his best friend and brother-in-law, ran from 1987 to 1995.

Actor John Stamos, who will produce and guest star as Uncle Jesse in the new rendition, first announced the reboot on Monday on US late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Candace Cameron-Bure, who played DJ Tanner; Jodie Sweetin, who played her sister Stephanie; and Andrea Barber, who played their eccentric neighbour Kimmy, will take leading roles in the new series.

Netflix is negotiating with other cast members including Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the twins who rose to fame during the show's run, which began when they were toddlers.

"We are thrilled to be able to introduce Fuller House's new narrative to existing fans worldwide, who grew up on the original, as well as a new generation of global viewers that have grown up with the Tanners in syndication," said Cindy Holland, Netflix vice president of original content.

The plot of the new episodes will focus on DJ, a veterinarian living in San Francisco, who has been widowed while pregnant with a third child.

Her sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy move into the house to help her, in a plot not so unlike the original.