NBCUniversal and YouTube Forge Landmark Deal, Including Peacock in Premium Tier

NBCUniversal has entered into an agreement with YouTube to include Peacock at no additional cost for YouTube Premium subscribers.

The companies also extended NBCUniversal’s distribution agreement with YouTube TV, which was renewed in 2025.

Peacock is currently limited to the United States, but YouTube Premium’s global subscriber base of over 125 million will be able to access NBCUniversal’s Universal+ and Hayu services in select international markets; SkyShowtime, the joint venture with Paramount covering central and eastern Europe, remains unchanged.

The deal, effective in early 2027, follows Comcast’s announcement that Peacock has achieved profitability after six years and has grown to 48 million subscribers, according to its second‑quarter earnings report. Comcast Co‑CEOs Brian Roberts and Mike Cavanagh noted that they are evaluating various partnership opportunities for NBCUniversal, which will be spun off from Comcast’s cable and broadband businesses next year.

YouTube Premium, which increased its price earlier this year, is now $15.99 per month in the United States for its primary plan. Subscribers enjoy ad‑free viewing, background playback, and offline downloads.

Peacock content will be available through YouTube Premium, the companies stated.

Matt Strauss, Chairman of NBCU Media Group, told Deadline that Roberts contacted YouTube’s CEO more than nine months ago to begin discussions.

Strauss added, “Audiences in 2026 do not think in terms of platforms; they think in terms of moments.”

Peacock featured several notable events this year, including the Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, reality series such as Love Island USA and The Traitors, as well as NBA games and Telemundo’s Spanish‑language coverage of the World Cup. Although it was initially seen as a laggard when it launched as an ad‑supported, live‑event service during a period when streaming emphasized ad‑free binge watching, its appeal has been growing recently.

The comprehensive agreement includes several notable elements, which NBCUniversal describes as its largest wholesale deal to date. These include FreeWheel, the ad‑tech subsidiary, achieving greater scale; NBC Sports acting as a production partner for select live sporting events on YouTube; and a limited number of NBCU streaming events being offered on NBC Sports’ YouTube channel.

Cavanagh said, “This partnership delivers NBCUniversal’s world‑class content and iconic franchises to YouTube’s unparalleled scale and global reach. We look forward to deepening our relationship with YouTube through a collaboration that aligns with our strategy of partnering with industry leaders to drive sustained growth for NBCUniversal.”

Mohan said the expanded partnership will “redefine what a modern entertainment subscription can be for consumers.” The partnership makes it easier than ever for members to discover and watch all the premium content they love in a single location.

YouTube Chief Business Officer Mary Ellen Coe wrote in a blog post that “YouTube Premium has always focused on bringing favorite creators, artists, and cultural moments together without interruption.”

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