Universal’s Exapnds Netflix Licensing Deal to Include Live-Action Films
Universal’s Exapnds Netflix Licensing Deal to Include Live-Action Films
The expanded agreement between Universal and Netflix will see the world’s largest streamer get Universal’s live-action and animated movies after they debut on Peacock first.
The dinosaurs of the “Jurassic World” franchise and the hotrods of the “Fast and Furious” movies will be roaring onto Netflix in the not-too-distant future. That comes thanks to a newly expanded deal between Universal and Netflix, which will see animated movies from Universal partners like DreamWorks continue to stream on Netflix and will also include live-action movies from the studio for the first time.
Key Details:
- Live-action Universal movies will begin streaming on Netflix in 2027.
- Films will stream on Peacock first for eight months before shifting exclusively to Netflix for 10 months.
- Netflix can also license past Universal movies as part of the deal.
With this extension, the deal between Universal and Netflix is growing to include live-action films beginning in 2027. Once that arrangement takes hold, Universal movies will first debut on NBCUniversal’s in-house streaming service Peacock. Then, “no later than eight months” after the movie’s initial theatrical debut, it will shift to Netflix.
That arrangement gives Universal some discretion as to how long it will leave its own movies in theaters and on Peacock. If it follows the 45-day minimum standard agreed to by streamers and theater chains, it will be able to stream its movies on Peacock for as long as six and a half months before shifting them to Netflix for an exclusive 10-month run. After these movies are done with that 10-month Netflix stint, they switch back to Peacock.
“With this expanded partnership, we’re providing an optimal experience for today’s consumer with a direct-to-consumer strategy that is advantageous to both NBCUniversal and Netflix,” NBCU Studio Group chairman of distribution Peter Levinsohn said.
Animated movies made by Universal subsidiaries like DreamWorks were already licensed to Netflix in their Pay-2 windows, thanks to a deal struck in 2021. Under the terms of that agreement, Universal animated films are streamed on Peacock for four months before switching to Netflix for an exclusive run.
The deal means that STARZ is set to lose out on Universal movies starting in 2027. As things currently stand, Universal films stream on Peacock for 18 months before shifting to STARZ for a streaming window.
The agreement is another example of Netflix’s shrewd licensing practices. The streamer does a fantastic job of luring customers with its strong original content slate and keeps them engaged using licensed content acquired through deals like the pact with Universal or its latest bargain with AMC.
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.