Peacock announces landmark deal with YouTube
Peacock announces landmark deal with YouTube
The deal will see Peacock bundled with YouTube Premium, extends YouTube TV’s carriage agreement with NBCUniversal, and more.
While streaming services like Netflix scramble to adapt YouTube’s most successful strategies in the hopes of boosting engagement, NBCUniversal’s streamer Peacock is taking a very different approach. Peacock has announced a multi-year partnership with YouTube that will include a bundle partnership with YouTube Premium, collaboration between YouTube and NBC Sports, and much more.
Key Details:
- New team-up: Peacock Premium will be bundled with YouTube Premium starting in 2027.
- No blackouts: NBCU’s retransmission agreement with YouTube TV has also been renewed.
- Sporting of you: NBC Sports will put some live events on its YouTube channel going forward.
NBCU’s new deal with YouTube will be its largest wholesale distribution partnership to date. Starting in early 2027, the Peacock Premium plan will be available in a bundle with YouTube Premium. No price was mentioned for that bundle, but considering the two streamers now cost $27 per month separately, shoppers can expect the bundle to be somewhere in the $17 to $22 per month range.
Once the rollout is complete, viewers will be able to watch Peacock’s content within the YouTube app, meaning less switching around to watch live sports from the streamer, as well as titles like “Love Island USA” and “The Office.”
“This partnership brings NBCUniversal’s world-class content and iconic franchises to YouTube’s unmatched scale and global platforms,” Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh said. “We’re excited to deepen our relationship with YouTube through a collaboration that reflects our strategy of partnering with industry leaders to drive sustained growth for NBCUniversal.”
The deal also includes a new retransmission agreement for NBCU channels on the live TV streaming service YouTube TV. That means YouTube TV subscribers are safe from any blackouts that deprive them of access to the NBC broadcast channel or Bravo in the next few years.
“We’re incredibly excited to expand our partnership with NBCUniversal to redefine what a modern entertainment subscription can be for consumers,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said. “YouTube Premium brings your favorite creators, artists and cultural moments together uninterrupted, and now, we’re pairing that ultimate viewing experience with Peacock’s expansive lineup of live sports like Sunday Night Football and the NBA, blockbuster Universal movies, and original series. This makes it easier than ever for our members to find and watch all the premium content they love, all in one place.”
The deal will also have sports applications; a selection of live sports from NBCU will begin streaming on the NBC YouTube channel as part of the deal. In addition, NBC Sports will serve as production partner for a selection of premier sporting events that will air on YouTube.
NBCU and YouTube have made more than one update to their partnership this year. In late June, Peacock became available to purchase through YouTube TV Primetime Channels, allowing customers to watch Peacock content through the YouTube TV app for the first time.
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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,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.
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YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.
