NBCUniversal announced its streaming plans in January 2019 and named the service Peacock that September, a nod to NBC's logo. It soft-launched for Comcast Xfinity cable customers on 15 April 2020 and opened across the US on 15 July 2020, with a free tier alongside paid plans; the free option closed to new customers in January 2023.
A slate built beside a library
The first originals were announced along with the name: the science-fiction series Brave New World, the crime drama Dr. Death, the comedy Rutherford Falls, and revivals of Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster. Alongside them the service leaned on NBCUniversal's back catalogue — The Office moved there exclusively in October 2020 — plus live NBC Sports events and next-day Bravo shows.
Two originals from 2023 show its range. Rian Johnson's Poker Face, with Natasha Lyonne as a woman who can tell when anyone is lying, debuted on 26 January; Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof's Mrs. Davis, about a nun taking on an artificial intelligence, followed in April.
A brief British stint
Rather than launching on its own, Peacock reached Britain as an extra inside Sky: a soft launch to all Sky and NOW customers on 16 November 2021. It did not last. The service was scaled back in Sky territories in January 2023 and shut there on 9 January 2024, with some shows moving to Sky channels and others to Hayu. Comcast said in December 2023 that it had no plans for a standalone Peacock outside the US, so its originals now reach UK viewers by individual deals — Poker Face on Sky Max from May 2023, Mrs. Davis on ITVX from November 2024. In 20 smaller European markets, its originals feed SkyShowtime, a joint venture with Paramount.
Key dates
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Peacock launches across the US
After a soft launch for Xfinity customers in April, the service opens nationally.
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Arrives for Sky and NOW customers
Peacock soft-launches in the UK and Ireland as part of Sky and NOW subscriptions.
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Poker Face debuts
Rian Johnson's case-of-the-week mystery with Natasha Lyonne premieres on Peacock.
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Poker Face reaches Sky Max
UK viewers get the series on Sky Max, four months after its US debut.
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Peacock switched off in Sky territories
The Sky-bundled version closes; some shows move to Sky channels and others to Hayu.