Peacock, the new subscription streaming service from NBCUniversal, is launching on Comcast on April 15 at no additional charge for customers of Xfinity X1 and Flex.
According to the official press release from NBCUniversal, the April 15 launch specifically involves rolling out an early preview of Peacock’s premium tier. This initial rollout will then be followed by a countrywide release by July 15.
That July 15 national rollout will come with a free tier that offers over 7,500 hours of blockbuster films and TV programs, all easily accessible through web, mobile, and connected TV platforms.
Comcast also published the announcement through its official website.
Tomorrow we will launch an early preview of the premium tier of @PeacockTV, @NBCUniversal’s new ad-supported streaming service to millions of @Xfinity X1 and Flex customers at no additional cost. https://t.co/uTyvhtOr0A
— Comcast (@comcast) April 14, 2020
Free access for Xfinity X1 and Flex customers
As mentioned earlier, existing subscribers of Comcast’s Xfinity X1 or Flex TV will enjoy free access to Peacock Premium starting Wednesday this week.
The premium tier offers over 15,000 hours of programming including early access to shows such as Late Night with Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show: At Home Edition.
Classic TV shows like 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights, and Law & Order: SVU are also included, as well as blockbuster films like E.T. and Jurassic Park.
Xfinity X1 and Flex subscribers with kids will also be delighted to know that family-friendly shows like Cleopatra in Space, Curious George, and Where’s Waldo? are in the mix.
Other original content for streaming will also include:
- A.P. Bio
- The Amber Ruffin Show
- Angelyne
- Armas De Mujer
- Battlestar Galactica
- Brave New World
- The Capture
- Caso Cerrado
- Code 404
- Dr. Death
- Five Bedrooms
- Girls5Eva
- Hitmen
- Intelligence
- Kids Tonight Show
- Lady Parts
- Lost Speedways
- Psych 2: Lassie Come Home
- Punky Brewster
- Real Housewives Mash-up
- Rutherford Falls
- Saved by the Bell
- Who Wrote That
Free tier also included in July rollout
Again, the nationwide rollout that will happen three months from now will also include a free tier. But note that this tier will only feature around 7,500 hours of content.
For those who can afford the monthly subscription, they can either go for the $4.99 per month option with ads, or the $9.99 per month option without ads.
It should be noted though that for customers of Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Flex, they will continue to enjoy free access even after the July 15 launch.
According to a report published by Reuters, Matt Strauss, the chairman of Peacock, has stated that NBCUniversal is currently deliberating whether it will move up the schedule of the countrywide launch or not.
As the newest brand in the streaming market, Peacock is looking to start competing with giants such as Netflix (which continues to expand its current comedy catalog) and Disney+ (which has seen triple growth in terms of subscribers recently).
As for Comcast, its Xfinity brand continues to be popular. To date, Xfinity X1 has around 14 million subscribers, per Reuters. Comcast, however, has not published any subscriber count for its Flex service. By the way, for those who missed the news, Flex now streams Hulu as of three weeks ago.
Images courtesy of Comcast.