NBCUniversal unveils free ad-supported streaming service

Jan. 20, 2020
NBCUniversal has unveiled Peacock, a free ad-supported streaming video service with subscription tiers offering more than 600 movies and 400 series, as well as live and on- ...

NBCUniversal has unveiled Peacock, a free ad-supported streaming video service with subscription tiers offering more than 600 movies and 400 series, as well as live and on-demand content across news, sports, late night, and reality.

The two-tiered multiscreen video offering consists of Peacock Free and Peacock Premium.

Peacock Free offers more than 7,500 hours of programming, including next day access to current seasons of freshman broadcast series, classic series, movies, curated daily news and sports programming, Spanish-language content, select episodes of Peacock originals and tent-pole series, as well as curated Peacock streaming genre channels.

Peacock Premium, bundled at no additional cost to 24 million Comcast and Cox subscribers, adds 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, and additional sports, totaling more than 15,000 hours of content. It's also available for $4.99 per month on mobile and web devices for non-bundled customers.

The company expects to bundle Peacock Premium with additional partners in the coming months. Premium customers can upgrade to an ad-free tier for an additional $5.00 per month, or any customer can purchase the ad-free tier directly for $9.99 per month.

"This is a very exciting time for our company, as we chart the future of entertainment," said Steve Burke, chairman of NBCUniversal. "We have one of the most enviable collections of media brands and the strongest ad sales track record in the business. Capitalizing on these key strengths, we are taking a unique approach to streaming that brings value to customers, advertisers and shareholders."

"Peacock will provide consumers with a destination that goes beyond movies and television, aggregating a variety of content that fans want on one service," said Matt Strauss, chairman of Peacock and NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises. "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."

Xfinity X1 and Flex customers will have early access to Peacock Premium starting April 15. Beginning July 15, Peacock Free and Peacock Premium will be available nationally on web, mobile and connected TV devices. The company expects to reach 30-35 million active accounts by 2024.        

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