NBCUniversal Unveils Peacock Launch Date, Subscription Tiers & Programming
NBCUniversal has officially entered the streaming race with the unveiling of their upcoming platform, Peacock, with a launch date, pricing, and lineup of content.
The service, with a name fitting for its original network’s logo, will launch nationally on July 15. Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Flex customers will have access beginning April 15. Peacock will include NBC classics as well as various other titles from the NBCUniversal library, originals and more.
“Peacock will provide consumers with a destination that goes beyond movies and television, aggregating a variety of content that fans want on one service,” Matt Strauss, Chairman of Peacock and NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises, said in a statement. “By delivering timely and topical content like breaking news, live sports, and watercooler moments from late night, Peacock is uniquely bringing a pulse to the world of streaming that does not exist in today’s marketplace.”
The platform’s initial rollout will include more than 15,000 hours of content and Peacock will also be front-and-center at the end of July during the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Tiered Subscription & Pricing
The company has announced a tiered offering that gives consumers access to the service across web, mobile, and connected-TV devices.
Peacock Free is a free, ad-supported option that provides fans everywhere with more than 7,500 hours of programming. It includes next day access to the current seasons of freshman broadcast series, complete classic series, popular movies, curated daily news and sports programming (including the Olympics), Spanish-language content, select episodes of marquee Peacock originals and tent-pole series and curated Peacock streaming genre channels (such as “SNL Vault,” “Family Movie Night,” and “Olympics Profiles”).
(NBCUniversal)
Meanwhile, the ad-supported Peacock Premium, which will be bundled at no additional cost to Comcast and Cox subscribers, also includes full season Peacock originals and tent-pole series, next day access to current seasons of returning broadcast series, early access to late night talk shows (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 8pm ET and Late Night with Seth Meyers at 9pm ET, beginning in July), and additional sports (such as the Premier League). The more than 15,000 hours of content is also available for $4.99 per month on all popular connected mobile and web devices for non-bundled customers. It could also be bundled with additional partners in the coming months.
Premium customers can upgrade to ad-free for an additional $5.00 per month, while any customer can purchase that option directly for $9.99 per month.
TV Acquisitions Coming to Peacock
Two of TV’s most-streamed shows, The Office and Parks and Recreation, are among the titles that will be available exclusively on Peacock. Content from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and more will also be available.
Newly announced programming coming to Peacock includes Dick Wolf’s Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med, as well as Yellowstone, Two and a Half Men, and The George Lopez Show.
“The name Peacock pays homage to the quality content that audiences have come to expect from NBCUniversal – whether it’s culture-defining dramas from innovative creators like Sam Esmail, laugh-out-loud comedies from legends like Lorne Michaels and Mike Schur, blockbusters from Universal Pictures, or buzzy unscripted programming from the people who do it best at Bravo and E!,” said Bonnie Hammer, Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and Digital Enterprises in a statement at the time the service was announced.
“Peacock will be the go-to place for both the timely and timeless — from can’t-miss Olympic moments and the 2020 election, to classic fan favorites like The Office.”
Chicago Fire (Adrian Burrows/NBC)
Other timeless titles coming to Peacock are 30 Rock, Bates Motel, Battlestar Galactica, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Cheers, Chrisley Knows Best, Covert Affairs, Downton Abbey, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Friday Night Lights, House, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, King of Queens, Married… With Children, Monk, Parenthood, Psych, Royal Pains, Saturday Night Live, Superstore, and Will & Grace.
Peacock’s List of Originals Continues to Grow
The streaming service signed a multi-year partnership with Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud network. That includes an equity investment in the company, a first look deal with LOL, and the distribution of LOL’s catalog. Laugh Out Loud will produce a Kevin Hart stand-up comedy special, an original interview series, Hart to Heart, and a series of short-form content.
Additional newly announced Peacock originals include Girls5Eva, produced by Tina Fey, about a one-hit wonder girl group from the 90s reuniting to give their pop star dreams another shot; international drama thriller The Capture; international comedy Lady Parts; David Schwimmer’s Intelligence; Code 404; Hitman; a racing series from Dale Earnhardt Jr.; and a behind-the-scenes documentary series following USA Basketball superstars on their journey to Tokyo.
Previously announced Peacock scripted originals include Rutherford Falls, Saved by the Bell, A.P. Bio, Punky Brewster, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, Dr. Death, Battlestar Galactica, Brave New World, Angelyne, and Armas de Mujer.
Peacock, Comcast’s XFinity X1 and Flex Customers, April 15
Peacock, National Launch, July 15
