NBCUniversal's Peacock Content to Be Included in YouTube Premium from Early Next Year

NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock will be available on YouTube. All content – including NBC Sports' NFL and NBA games, Universal Pictures movies such as the Minions franchise, as well as Peacock originals and Bravo content like The Real Housewives and Love Island USA – will be included in YouTube Premium subscriptions in the US from early next year. YouTube Premium ad-free starts at $8.99 per month, while Peacock Premium is currently priced at $10.99 per month.

The partnership began about nine months ago when Comcast co-CEO Brian Roberts contacted YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. After meetings at Google's offices, the two sides began to conceive such a collaboration. The deal comes as traditional media companies such as Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney seek to boost revenue and profits, while tech platforms like YouTube and TikTok capture more viewing time. Media companies are also adjusting their business models: Paramount Skydance has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery; Fox Corp has reached an agreement to acquire Roku; and Comcast is preparing to spin off NBCUniversal in the next year. Streaming services are offering more bundled packages to attract users, and this deal goes a step further – Peacock content will be embedded in the YouTube platform, allowing users to access it without leaving YouTube.

YouTube's subscription page shows that its global Premium members exceed 125 million. NBCUniversal reported last week that Peacock had 48 million paid subscribers as of June 30 and turned profitable for the first time in the most recent quarter. The deal also extends NBCUniversal's multi-year distribution agreement with YouTube TV and covers the distribution of YouTube, YouTube TV and Premium on Comcast's Xfinity cable and Xumo platform. The two sides will strengthen advertising cooperation and capabilities, and NBCUniversal can monetize its Peacock content through advertising on the YouTube platform. Advertising has become a key growth driver for the streaming industry.