Summary

NBCUniversal launches Peacock, a new streaming service with tiered subscription options, amidst a competitive streaming market.

Abstract

NBCUniversal has entered the streaming wars with its new service, Peacock, named after the company's iconic peacock logo. Set to launch in July, with early access for Comcast's Xfinity customers in April, Peacock aims to attract viewers by offering a range of subscription options. These include a free, ad-supported tier with limited content, a $5 per month ad-supported tier with full access, and a premium ad-free tier at$ 10 per month, with discounts for Comcast customers. The service's launch is timed to coincide with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and is partly motivated by the desire to reclaim The Office from Netflix. The introduction of Peacock adds to the fragmentation of streaming services, requiring consumers to subscribe to multiple platforms to access a wide range of content.

Opinions

The author suggests that the name 'Peacock' is unexpectedly whimsical for a streaming service.
There is resistance from consumers who are frustrated with the proliferation of streaming services and the resulting 'streaming wars.'
The tiered pricing model of Peacock is seen as a strategic move to attract customers who are concerned about the cost of streaming services.
The author expresses skepticism about the value of adding another streaming service, given the existing options and the potential cost for consumers who want access to all content without ads.
The author predicts that Hulu may need to adjust its pricing due to competition, while HBO Max is unlikely to lower its price due to strong brand loyalty.
CBS All Access is predicted to be the first service to falter in the face of competition, potentially being absorbed by a larger player like Amazon or Peacock.
The author advises against subscribing to Peacock at launch due to typical issues with new streaming services and the fact that The Office will not be available on Peacock until 2021.

Introducing Peacock: The Newest Streaming Service

NBCUniversal becomes the 7th option in a crowded market

NBCUniversal has finally made the details of their streaming service known, and its got a far goofier name than any of us were expecting.

Peacock (named after the NBC logo) is NBCUniversal’s upcoming streaming service that’s being launched to yank The Office back off Netflix.

The service goes into full service in July (just in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games), although subscribers to Xfinity (run by Comcast) can have early access from April.

This new streaming service is being met with a lot of resistance from the many customers who’re justifiably angry about the very existence of the ‘streaming wars.’ Where once we could watch almost anything we wanted on Netflix, we now have yet another service to sign up to if we want access to everything we use to watch in one place.

Costs involved

Peacock is coming out with three payment options, depending on your needs and whether you’re already a Comcast customer.

The free tier exists for the sake of advertising. Their slogan ‘Free as a Bird’ (not bad in my opinion), is a slogan that only works while the service is “free.”

This free version isn’t going to be much fun; it’s not much more than a preview option. Free* customers will have access to some episodes of selected shows, nothing live or anything that was released recently.

*Free version is only available for American customers **5 minutes of every hour of streamed content will be advertising.

The lowest paying tier is $5 per month (free for Comcast customers) that allows access to all content, but you still have to watch advertising. The full version costs $10 per month ($5 for Comcast customers) and allows full access without commercials.

Although I’m cynical about all these streaming services, I think this tiered system is a smart way of luring customers who’re concerned about the prices of rival options.

Where Does This One Fit?

In case you’re having trouble keeping track, here’s a list of the streaming services we’ve got so far and their fees -

Peacock: Free (with commercials and limitations), $5 (with commercials) and $10 per month

Disney+: $7 per month or $70 if paid annually

Hulu: $5.99, (with commercials), $11.99 per month

Apple TV+: $4.99 per month, (free for seven days or 1 year with a new Apple device or Apple TV)

HBO Max: $15 per month (Available starting May)

Amazon Prime: $8.99 a month (just video). Full Prime benefits are $12.99 per month or $119 if paid annually

CBS All Access: $5.99 (with commercials), $9.99 per month.

I Want It All?

If I decided I wanted access to all available content without advertising, I’d have to pay almost $70 a month. Or $53 if I’m happy to watch commercials.

Once the streaming wars are in full force, I can’t imagine Hulu will be able to keep its price so high. The newer streaming services are either out-pricing or offering extra benefits.

Amazon has the benefit of all the shopping and shipping benefits of Amazon Prime, and Apple has synergy benefits with all its tech products.

I predict HBO will never lower their price because of the brand loyalty it’s built with viewers who’ve come to expect high-quality programming from them. (They didn’t pay me to say that, I’m just a huge Veep fan).

I predict CBS will be the first one to fall. Either Amazon or Peacock will pick its sun-bleached bones clean and stream their content.

If you’re excited to get started with Peacock, I don’t recommend joining from launch. Not only do streaming services have a terrible track record of launching well, The Office won’t be available until 2021. Until then, it’ll remain on Netflix.

So which ones, if any, will you sign up for?

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