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Dade Hayes
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July 27, 2026 8:03am
In a significant boost to NBCUniversal‘s streaming fortunes, the media giant has set an agreement to bundle Peacock with YouTube Premium.
As part of the overall arrangement, the companies agreed to extend NBCU’s distribution deal with YouTube TV, which was renewed in 2025.
Peacock remains U.S.-only but the portion of YouTube Premium‘s 125 million-plus global subscriber base living outside of the U.S. will be able to access NBCU streamers Universal+ and Hayu in certain markets. SkyShowtime, a joint venture between NBCU and Paramount covering central and eastern Europe, is not affected by the YouTube deal.
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The agreement, which takes effect in early 2027, comes on the heels of NBCU parent Comcast confirming that Peacock has finally turned a profit six years into its existence. After reporting that feat and Peacock’s growth to 48 million subscribers in their second-quarter earnings release, Comcast Co-CEOs Brian Roberts and Mike Cavanagh both said they are exploring a range of potential partnerships for NBCU. The media company is going to be spun off from Comcast’s cable and broadband operations next year.
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YouTube Premium, which raised its prices earlier this year, now costs $15.99 a month in the U.S. for its most popular plan. Subscribers can watch videos ad-free videos, play them in the background play and download them. The companies did not announce pricing details tied to the partnership. Peacock’s lowest tier is $10.99 a month on a stand-alone basis. A person familiar with the agreement told Deadline there will be no change to YouTube Premium’s pricing tied to the launch of the partnership, but subscribers will be given additional options allowing them to customize their subscriptions.
Peacock programming will be accessed through YouTube Premium, the companies said. The deal is expected to add millions of subscribers to Peacock, though rivals will likely want to affix an asterisk to the new viewers coming in through YouTube.
Roberts reached out to YouTube CEO more than nine months ago to initiate talks, according to a person familiar with the conversations. The goal, as with a number of recent distribution deals, was to increase access to Peacock and NBCU’s other streamers outside the U.S.
“Audiences in 2026 don’t think in terms of platform,” the source told Deadline. “They think in terms of moments.”
Peacock has had more than its share of moments this year, from the Winter Olympics and Super Bowl to reality hit Love Island USA and Bravo’s unscripted stable; plus the NBA and Telemundo’s Spanish-language World Cup coverage. While it was viewed as a laggard since its launch as a service focused on ads and live events when the streaming sector was chasing Netflix with ad-free binge-worthy fare, the wind has shifted more in its direction of late.
There are several other notable aspects to the comprehensive deal, which NBCU bills as its biggest wholesale arrangement to date. Among them are ad tech subsidiary FreeWheel gaining additional scale and inventory; NBC Sports serving as production partner for select live sporting events on YouTube; and a select number of live sporting events from NBCU ticketed for streaming on NBC Sports’ YouTube channel.
Details about the livestreams and other components of the partnership will be revealed in the coming months, the companies said.
“This partnership brings NBCUniversal’s world-class content and iconic franchises to YouTube’s unmatched scale and global platforms,” Cavanagh said in a statement. “We’re excited to deepen our relationship with YouTube through a collaboration that reflects 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 our members to find and watch all the premium content they love, all in one place.”
YouTube Premium “has always been about bringing your favorite creators, artists, and cultural moments together uninterrupted,” YouTube Chief Business Officer Mary Ellen Coe wrote in a blog post. “Now, we’re pairing that ultimate viewing experience with Peacock’s expansive lineup.”
NBCU Media Group Chairman Matt Strauss said the team-up “opens the door to new ways for audiences to discover, access and deepen engagement” regardless of how they access the programming.
As Peacock has traveled a long and winding road toward profitability, NBCU has been willing to take a few swings over the past year to bolster its position. The company has forged a unique streaming bundle with Apple TV last fall; set a broad distribution pact with Amazon; and teamed with Starz to add a subscription sign-up feature to Peacock’s home screen.
Last month, Peacock launched as an offering on YouTube Primetime Channels, with that availability stemming from the 2025 distribution deal. The new agreement is a major leveling up of that relationship.
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