NBC Announces Extension of Deal with Notre Dame to Keep Exclusive Games on Peacock Until 2029
The deal continues a relationship between NBC and Notre Dame that has been in place since 1991.
The expense of live sports rights makes it somewhat surprising that Peacock is one of the least expensive streaming services on the market. Live sports cost media providers a pretty penny, but even with a price increase this year Peacock is still available starting at just $5.99 per month.
- NBC has announced an extension of its deal with Notre Dame until 2029.
- Peacock will continue to stream Fighting Irish games and will get an exclusive Notre Dame documentary in 2024.
- Ratings through the first five games of the Notre Dame season are up 86% as compared to the same time last year.
Is There Anything New in Notre Dame-NBC Deal Extension?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have called NBC home for broadcasts of its athletics since 1991. That 32-year relationship is the longest in college sports broadcasting currently, and it’s going to continue until at least 2029 thanks to an extension of the deal between the school and the channel announced this weekend.
“There is no better tradition than Notre Dame Football in South Bend, and we are thrilled to keep that tradition within the NBC Sports family as we extend our relationship as the exclusive home of Fighting Irish home games through the end of the decade,” said Rick Cordella, President, NBC Sports. “With enhanced rights that allow us to present Notre Dame Football on NBC as well as across Peacock and additional platforms, we look forward to bringing the Fighting Irish to fans in more ways than ever before.”
The extension means that all Notre Dame home games will continue to be available on NBC and its companion streamer Peacock. Peacock will not only get exclusive Notre Dame games that won’t air anywhere else, but it will also get a documentary series dedicated to the team that will debut annually and will show its first episode in 2024.
Are Live Sports Crucial for Peacock’s Survival?
The extension is a great sign for Peacock, which will continue to keep its live sports inventory quite impressive. Fans are responding, as Notre Dame games have averaged more than 5 million viewers over the course of the team’s first five games. That’s an 86% jump in audience over a season ago, and NBCUniversal has only expanded its college sports portfolio this season.
A gigantic deal with the Big Ten is a part of that equation, as well. The blockbuster matchup between Notre Dame and the Ohio State Buckeyes averaged 10.6 million viewers across platforms, and like Notre Dame NBCU’s contract allows it to stream exclusive Big Ten contests every season.
Its enviable live sports lineup is precisely what makes Peacock such an attractive prospect when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. It could also be what helps Peacock survive longer than some other streaming platforms as aggregation becomes a greater industry-wide trend. Its library of lean-back streaming shows and its huge selection of live sports, not to mention the backing of Comcast, one of the largest broadband providers in the United States could be hugely important in keeping Peacock an independent streaming service for years to come.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” and “The Office,” as well as original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports including NFL, MLB, WWE, Olympics, Premier League, NASCAR, French Open, College Football and Basketball, and PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.