NBCUniversal's Streaming Service is Called 'Peacock'
NBCUniversal today announced “Peacock” (www.peacocktv.com) as the name for its new streaming service, coming in 2020.
The service will compete with streaming giant Netflix Inc and Walt Disney Co’s upcoming Disney+ streaming service as well as other digital subscription options, as traditional media companies seek to attract online viewers.
The streaming service will deliver a slate of originals while also offering treasured hits from the vaults of NBC, including “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” The service will also feature blockbusters and films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination and Hollywood’s biggest studios. In addition, Peacock will tap into NBCUniversal’s ability to deliver topical content across news, sports, late-night and reality.
Peacock rolls out in April of 2020 with over 15,000 hours of content and takes center stage at the end of July during the 2020 Summer Olympics. As previously announced, Peacock will be both advertising and subscription supported.
NBCUniversal did not provide details on pricing and distribution.
Drama
Peacock will offer a broad slate of original dramas, including “Dr. Death,” based on the true-crime podcast starring Jamie Dornan, Alec Baldwin and Christian Slater; a reboot of the “Battlestar Galactica,” from “Mr. Robot” and “Homecoming” EP Sam Esmail; “Brave New World,” based on the dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley and starring Alden Ehrenreich (“Solo: A Star Wars Story”) and Demi Moore; “Angelyne,” a limited series from Emmy Rossum; and “One of Us Is Lying,” based on the New York Times best-selling young adult mystery-thriller.
Comedy
The platform’s new original comedies include “Rutherford Falls,” co-created by Mike Schur, Ed Helms, and Sierra Teller Ornelas, and starring Ed Helms; “Straight Talk,” from Rashida Jones and Jada Pinkett Smith; reboots of two beloved series – “Saved By the Bell,” from Tracey Wigfield (“30 Rock”), featuring original cast members including Elizabeth Berkley and Mario Lopez, and “Punky Brewster,” starring Soleil Moon Frye as a grown-up version of her former character; an all-new season of “A.P.Bio,” starring Glenn Howerton and Patton Oswalt; and the second movie spinoff from the long-running series “Psych.”
Unscripted
Peacock will feature an array of the most-talked-about unscripted programming, including a new “Saturday Night Live” docuseries, “Who Wrote That,” from creator Lorne Michaels, exploring the famous personalities in front of and behind the camera; an original talk show series from Jimmy Fallon, in collaboration with Matador Content and Universal Television Alternative Studio; a weekly late night show starring Amber Ruffin and executive produced by Seth Meyers; and a spinoff of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives” franchise.
Timeless Titles
In addition to the exclusive streaming rights to the beloved NBC sitcoms “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation,” some of the most popular NBC and classic TV series of all time will be available on Peacock, including “30 Rock,” “Bates Motel,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Cheers,” “Chrisley Knows Best,” “Covert Affairs,” “Downton Abbey,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Frasier,” “Friday Night Lights,” “House,” “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “King Of Queens,” “Married…With Children,”“Monk,” “Parenthood,” “Psych,” “Royal Pains,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Superstore,” “The Real Housewives,” “Top Chef,” and “Will & Grace.”
Film
Universal Pictures is developing original films and animated series to debut on Peacock. Additionally, DreamWorks Animation, the studio behind animated hits “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon,” will create original animated content for Peacock.
Peacock will also offer a slate of films and box-office hits from Universal Pictures and Focus Features. These titles range from laugh-out-loud comedies like “American Pie,” “Bridesmaids,” “Knocked Up,” “Meet the Parents,” and “Meet the Fockers,” to classics such as “A Beautiful Mind,” “Back to the Future,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “Casino,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Erin Brockovich,” “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” “Field of Dreams,” “Jaws,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Shrek,” and “The Breakfast Club.” Peacock will also feature films from the franchises: “Bourne,” “Despicable Me,” and “Fast & Furious.”
Spanish Language
Peacock is positioned to offer the U.S. Hispanic audience programming from the #1 Spanish-language network, Telemundo. The platform will feature more than 3,000 hours of Telemundo’s content, including an original dramedy “Armas de Mujer,” a new hit series from the makers of “La Reina del Sur,” and library titles “100 Dias Para Volver,” “Betty in NY,” “El Barón” and “Preso No. 1.”