Peacock is coming to YouTube Premium in NBCUniversal deal
NBCUniversal and YouTube struck a multiyear deal to put Peacock programming inside YouTube Premium for U.S. subscribers in early 2027.
By Frankie Delgado · News Reporter
3 min read
NBCUniversal’s Peacock is headed straight into YouTube Premium, giving U.S. subscribers access to the streamer’s full programming lineup inside YouTube starting in early 2027, CNBC reported.
The multiyear agreement announced Monday puts Peacock closer to YouTube’s giant audience at a time when traditional media companies are fighting for streaming growth while tech platforms claim more viewing time.
When will Peacock be on YouTube Premium?
Peacock content is scheduled to become available to YouTube Premium subscribers in the U.S. in early 2027, according to CNBC. The arrangement means viewers will be able to watch Peacock shows, movies and sports without leaving YouTube.
The Peacock catalog covered by the deal includes NBC Sports programming such as the NFL and NBA, Universal films including the Minions franchise, Peacock originals, Bravo titles including the Real Housewives franchise, and “Love Island USA,” CNBC reported.
YouTube Premium is YouTube’s paid subscription product. It offers ad-free videos and lets users download most videos, depending on the plan tier, according to YouTube’s subscription page.
CNBC reported that the talks began after Comcast co-CEO Brian Roberts contacted YouTube CEO Neal Mohan about nine months ago, citing a person familiar with the matter. After the companies’ leadership teams met at Google offices, they began discussing possible partnerships, the person told CNBC.
Why are NBCUniversal and YouTube doing this now?
The deal lands during a scramble across the media business. Comcast-owned NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney have been looking for ways to lift revenue and profits as YouTube and TikTok take a larger share of consumer attention, CNBC reported.
Big media companies are also changing shape as viewers move away from traditional pay-TV bundles and toward streaming. CNBC noted that Paramount Skydance has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox Corp. has reached a deal to buy Roku, and Comcast is preparing to separate NBCUniversal into a standalone public company in the next year.
Streaming bundles have become more common as companies hunt for subscribers, but this agreement goes further than a standard package deal. Peacock programming will live inside YouTube’s platform, rather than requiring subscribers to jump to a separate app, CNBC reported.
YouTube says it has more than 125 million global Premium members, according to its subscription page. NBCUniversal reported last week that Peacock had 48 million paid subscribers as of June 30 and reached profitability for the first time in its most recent quarter, CNBC reported.
On Comcast’s earnings call, co-CEO Mike Cavanagh, who is set to lead NBCUniversal after its separation from Comcast, said he expects Peacock to remain profitable on an annual basis, though quarterly results may vary, CNBC reported.
The companies’ agreement also extends NBCUniversal’s multiyear distribution deal with YouTube TV, YouTube’s streaming TV bundle. It also covers distribution of YouTube, YouTube TV and Premium through Comcast’s Xfinity cable TV and Xumo platforms, according to CNBC.
The partnership also expands the companies’ advertising relationship. CNBC reported that NBCUniversal will be able to sell advertising tied to Peacock content on YouTube’s platform, a notable piece of the deal as advertising becomes a bigger part of streaming growth.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.