Peacock Hits 30 Million Subscribers, Sustaining Impressive Growth from 2022
The streaming service has also achieved its goal of peak losses this year, says Comcast President Mike Cavanagh.
Peacock has officially taken flight. NBCUniversal’s streaming service had an impressive 2022 that saw it double its subscriber total while other streamers labored to change their models, prioritizing a boost in average revenue per user (ARPU) over subscriber numbers.
- Peacock now numbers 30 million users, an increase from the 28 million it claimed in its third quarter earnings report.
- The additions mean that Peacock will have added at least 10 million users in 2023.
- Comcast President Mike Cavanagh says that Peacock has achieved peak losses, and can start building toward profitability.
Peacock’s Continued Growth
At last count in October, Peacock revealed that it had 28 million subscribers. That number represented its third quarter totals, showing a slower growth than mega-sized streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+, but steady progress nevertheless.
The steady growth at Peacock is continuing through the fourth quarter, according to Comcast President Mike Cavanagh. He spoke at the 2023 USB Global Media and Communications conference this week, revealing that Peacock had grown to 30 million subscribers since the end of the third quarter. The streamer still has the month of December to bolster its Q4 numbers, so it might end the year with an even higher subscriber total.
Cavanagh also said that Peacock had lost around $2.8 billion overall this year. That’s certainly a large number, but it comes in slightly under the $3 billion Cavanagh expected Peacock to lose when 2023 began. Best yet, the streamer’s ARPU has grown to around $10; by comparison, the world’s largest (and most consistently profitable) streaming service Netflix last reported its ARPU at $16.29 for North American customers.
Will Hallmark Hub, Exclusive NFL Games Help Peacock Grow Further?
The 30 million subscriber mark is a milestone that Peacock should celebrate. For a domestic-only streaming service that launched in 2020, it’s an impressive number. By contrast, Hulu has existed since 2007 and currently claims 48 million users.
Peacock has a good chance of increasing its subscriber total before the month is out, as well. Its Hallmark hub has Christmas movies and other content from the Hallmark Channel, [Hallmark Movies & Mysteries] and [Hallmark Drama], so the very best in holiday fare is available to stream on-demand on the service.
Sports fans will also have reason to consider Peacock this holiday season. The streaming service will host an exclusive NFL game on Dec. 23 between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, and subscribers who come for that game will want to stay for the season’s other Peacock-exclusive NFL game: a wild card matchup in January.
Peacock is well set up for sustained growth, as the numbers revealed this week suggest. It will start narrowing losses in 2024, and profitability could be close at hand for the little streamer that could.
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.