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NBCUniversal and YouTube ink deal to embed Peacock in the video platform for premium subscribers

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Why This Matters

NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service is partnering with YouTube Premium to embed its content directly into the platform, significantly expanding its reach and accessibility for U.S. consumers. This strategic move highlights the ongoing industry shift towards integrated streaming solutions and the importance of partnerships between traditional media and tech giants to stay competitive. For consumers, this means easier access to a wide array of premium content within a familiar platform, potentially at a more affordable price point.

Key Takeaways

NBCUniversal's Peacock is officially landing on YouTube.

All of the streaming service's content — including NBC Sports' portfolio of the NFL and NBA, Universal films like the Minions franchise, and original Peacock and Bravo content like the Real Housewives franchise and "Love Island USA" — will be included in YouTube Premium subscriptions in the U.S. starting early next year.

Google 's YouTube Premium is the subscription version of the streaming platform that offers videos without ads and the ability to download most videos, depending on the subscription tier. The service offers a variety of plans beginning at $8.99 per month. Peacock Premium currently costs $10.99 per month.

"The first principle for us was, does this accelerate Peacock's long-term growth? And the answer to that is yes," said Matt Strauss, chairman of NBCUniversal media group, in an interview. "Peacock will now be one of the largest domestic streamers. It's going to significantly expand our reach."

Parent company Comcast 's stock was up more than 3% in midday trading.

NBCUniversal's partnership with YouTube was formed after Comcast co-CEO Brian Roberts reached out to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan about nine months ago, according to a person familiar with the matter. Following a meeting between the executive teams that took place at Google offices, the two companies began to brainstorm partnerships such as this, the person added.

The partnership comes at a fast-moving moment in the industry. Traditional media companies like NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney have been chasing business initiatives to boost revenue and profitability while tech platforms like YouTube and TikTok grab increasing share of viewership time.

Media companies have also been shapeshifting as the business model changes due to consumers' departure from pay-TV bundles in favor of streaming. Paramount Skydance has agreed to acquire WBD; Fox Corp. reached a deal to acquire Roku ; and Comcast is preparing to spin off NBCUniversal in the next year.

While streaming services have been announcing a growing slate of bundles to grab more subscribers, this partnership goes a step further and will see Peacock's content live inside YouTube — or be ingested into the platform so viewers don't have to leave YouTube to access the content.

Peacock has already signed deals with other streaming and tech platforms including Apple and Amazon .

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