NBCUniversal’s soon to launch direct-to-consumer service Peacock has inked a licensing deal with A+E Networks that will make hundreds of hours of episodes of hit series from the A&E and HISTORY catalogues available later this year.
Launching in April in the US for Comcast video customers with Xfinity X1 and internet-only customers with Xfinity Flex, and across platforms in July 2020, Peacock will be a free ad-supported streaming service with subscription tiers, providing customers with NBCUniversal claims will be a “unique, timely and complete” entertainment experience. Peacock will feature thousands of hours of on-demand movies and shows—including exclusive originals— from NBCUniversal and beyond, as well as current and live content including news, sports, late night, reality, Hispanic programming and more.
The new content deal means that Peacock customers will enjoy access to popular A&E series including First 48, Storage Wars and Cold Case Files, and hit series from HISTORY including Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Ancient Aliens, Curse of Oak Island and Project Blue Book.
“We are excited to make some of A+E Networks’ most popular shows available on Peacock later this year,” said Frances Manfredi, president, content acquisition and strategy, Peacock and NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises. “In addition to the strong portfolio of NBCUniversal programming available on Peacock, we continue to aggregate content from other networks and studios, like A&E and HISTORY, that maximises the breadth and depth of choice for our customers.”
“We are excited to partner with Peacock,” added Steve MacDonald, president, global content licensing and international, A+E Networks. “We of course strongly believe in the power of the A+E Networks’ library of content, and that it will prove to strengthen Peacock’s offerings.”