It would be a lot simpler on streaming audiences if studios could simply keep their movies exclusively on the streaming services that are partnered with that studio in perpetuity. But there’s money to be made, and that being the case, studios are more than willing to license their films to other streamers in order to collect the fees that come along with such deals.

Universal is one such studio, and uses its streamer Peacock in conjunction with lucrative licensing deals to ensure its movies get distributed widely. But which streamers does it partner with? Do its movies go to Peacock first, and for how long? We’ve got the answers for you here!

Everything you need to know about Universal’s streaming windowing

Where do Universal movies stream first?

Universal has one of the most unique theatrical windowing schedules of any studio, but at least it starts in a predictable way. When it releases a new film to theaters, that movie will always stream on Peacock ahead of any other streaming service, whether it be a live-action movie or animated. For the first four months after being released to stream, these movies air exclusively on Peacock.

Where do live-action Universal movies go after Peacock?

After four months, live-action Universal movies switch from Peacock to Prime Video. They stream there on an exclusive basis for 10 months, and then return to Peacock for another four months. After that period, they can be licensed to the highest bidder.

That’s the arrangement as of now, but in 2027 things will change. In October 2024, Universal announced an expansion of its licensing deal with Netflix; starting in 2027, that streamer will get live-action movies from Universal for 10 months following an eight-month period of exclusivity on Peacock.

Where do animated Universal movies go after Peacock?

Once animated Universal and Dreamworks movies spend four months on Peacock, they shift to Netflix under the terms of the licensing agreement between the two sides. Like live-action movies, they stay on their new streaming home for 10 months, then switch back to Peacock for another exclusive four-month period.

Does Universal have a specific Pay-2 partner?

All the shifting around described above still technically falls within the Pay-1 window for Universal movies. The studio doesn’t have any one specific Pay-2 partner; after the 18-month Pay-1 period, Universal movies can be licensed to linear TV channels, other streaming services, or whoever pays the most money for them.