Comcast's media arm NBCUniversal has announced it will launch its own subscription streaming service in April 2020, called Peacock. The name refers to the peacock logo used by broadcaster NBC. The service will build on the media group's own archive, with programmes such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, and live events such as the rights to the Olympics in the US, late night entertainment shows and wide news output.
No pricing details were announced, but the company plans to use both advertising and subscriptions, it said. Over 15,000 hours of content will be available at launch, and distribution details will be announced closer to the start date.
In addition to its free-to-air network NBC, the company will offer content from its cable channels such as Bravo and E! and its film studios Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation, plus the Spanish-language network Telemundo. The offering will include original content produced for Peacock.
Announced shows include a remake of Battlestar Galatica by producer Sam Esmail, the series Dr Death based on the true-crime podcast and starring Alec Baldwin and Christian Slater, and an adaptation of Brave New World starring Alden Ehrenreich and Demi Moore. Original comedies will include Rutherford Falls co-created by Mike Schur, Ed Helms, and Sierra Teller Ornelas, Straight Talk from Rashida Jones and Jada Pinkett Smith, and reboots of Saved By the Bell and Punky Brewster.
The new service follows Comcast exiting the Hulu joint venture with Disney and Fox earlier this year. The company already runs the Hayu streaming service in several countries, focused on reality TV series. Comcast said earlier this year that the new NBCUniversal service will be available outside the US as well.
