There are already a few thousand apps out there. Yet, NBC Universal believes they have a must-buy app with NBC’s Peacock. And its chairman, Matt Strauss, is feeling very plucky about what’s to come tomorrow with its launch.
Although Peacock isn’t completely “what [NBC] built” originally, NBC Universal and Matt Strauss is ready to unveil what it has to offer, despite this COVID-19 crap.
“No one could have anticipated a global pandemic but, at the same time, we recognize that it could be an opportunity for us because you’ve got so many people sheltering in place.”
MATT Strauss, THR via call from his new jersey hom
Oodles of people are retargeted with ads from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max. And now NBC’s Peacock believes they have a catalog to make fans go “all access,” much like CBS.
Comcast already has the plume of feathers in their TV as of April 15. Xfinity is next (because that’s where Strauss is from). Of course, something big is missing.
Roku, Amazon Fire Get Torched
First, it was HBO Max, because they’re dolts. And now, Peacock is doing the same thing. NBCU is unveiling its app without getting 74% of the U.S. viewing audience. As of the time of this posting, NBCUniversal have not agreed to terms with Roku or Amazon Fire.
CNBC reported NBC’s Peacock “continues to negotiate with both Amazon and Roku.”
On the bleak side, someone anonymous hack with the bird who is “familiar with the talks” described the likelihood of reaching an agreement with either party by July 15 as “less than 10%.”
Yeah, so there’s that.
And why? Money. Actually, to be specific — advertising. Roku and Amazon Fire have figured out how to monetize their platforms well. Because they feel they’ve reinvented the damn wheel, spokes are expensive for broadcasting.
The smart TV platform has become increasingly focused on its ad business. These streamers can’t get their ish together and agree on how much of Peacock’s ad inventory Roku can sell. Until then, HBO Max. Oh wait, sorry.
What to Expect from NBC’s Peacock
NBCUniversal may be the last to come to the TV app rollout party, but they believe their content is the best — and has the best way to devour it. NBC’s Peacock actually has two methods — freemium and a premium model.
Freemium — They call it “Peacock Free.” There is no live sports from NBC (i.e., Sunday Night Football, Olympics) or any of the channel’s marquee original programming. Yet, you still have access to 13,000 hours of programming.
Premium — This is called “Peacock Premium.” You get it all, plus 7,000 more hours of movies and TV shows. All that for only $5 per month. If you want no advertisements, you’re paying $10 per month.
Now, NBC’s Peacock was supposed to launch with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but that got corona-ed quickly. Global pandemic aside, NBCUniversal insists on unveiling the new app, full of must-see TV.
The boisterous bird has already slotted times for original programming by Tina Fey, Kevin Hart, and possibly even something from Law & Order progenitor, Dick Wolf, for a new and exclusive “Hate Crimes” series. There is also a slew of movies from Universal, like the widely (not-so) successful Dark Universe.
Consider the network reach and the app is alluring.
The content spans TV shows, movies, live sports and news, and late-night comedy. That comes from NBCU-owned networks NBC, Bravo, USA Network, Syfy, Oxygen, E!, CNBC, MSNBC, NBCSN, Golf Channel and Universal Kids, as well as Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Focus Features, and Illumination.
In addition, Peacock has licensed movies and TV shows from A&E, ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, History, Nickelodeon, Showtime, ViacomCBS, Paramount, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. and Blumhouse. Impressive, right?
Hey, we know Universal has a ton of exhilarating content. Yet since they can’t get the lead out of their ass and launch without Roku and Amazon, they don’t deserve that much respect. Yet.
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