NBCUniversal’s streaming video service Peacock is now available and offers new and classic shows, plus movies, live events, and original series and films.
Launched on April 15 to a limited audience of select Comcast subscribers, Peacock is NBCUniversal’s entry in the rapidly expanding streaming video landscape. The service debuted nationally on July 15, with all subscription tiers available.
With an impressive lineup of new and classic content, including complete runs of popular syndicated series, reboots, and revivals of fan-favorite shows, and even some classic and original films, the service is one to keep an eye on.
Here’s everything we know about Peacock so far.
NBCUniversal was slow to confirm Peacock’s availability on anything beyond Comcast customers’ Flex TV streaming box or Xfinity X1 cable box, on which it first became available April 15.
As of July 15, when the service launched nationally, it is available on Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, as well as Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K, and Apple TV HD.
The service is also available on a variety of web browsers, including recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, MS Edge, and Safari, as well as Android tablets. Newer models of Android TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Vizio TVs with SmartCast will also be able to install the Peacock app, along with Chromecast-enabled devices.
The service will also be available on Sony’s PlayStation 4 game console on July 20.
Notably absent from the list of compatible hardware are Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices, which make up the majority of streaming devices in the U. S. The full list of compatible devices is available on the Peacock homepage.
Peacock offers both free and premium subscription tiers. The subscription tiers break down as follows:
During the investor unveiling of Peacock, NBCUniversal executives described the streaming service as “like a broadcast network.” That may sound odd for a streaming platform, but considering the amount of live content, the characterization makes some sense.
At launch, the service will offer a mix of exclusive shows, on-demand classics, and live content. The premiere live event at launch was supposed to have been the 2020 Olympics coverage, but with the postponement of the games until 2021, those plans have changed.
