Peacock Ad-Free Tier Launches On YouTube Primetime Channels As Part Of 2025 Distribution Deal
YouTube has made good on a provision in a 2025 distribution agreement with NBCUniversal, launching the ad-free tier of Peacock on its channel store.
The availability of Peacock Premium Plus on YouTube Primetime Channels, announced Monday, was part of a comprehensive deal announced in October between NBCU and the video giant. The deal also involved corporate parent Google.
The pact ended a standoff that had both sides warning of a potential blackout, one of several clashes between YouTube and a major programmer last year. The conflicts, including a marathon 15-day impasse with Disney, stemmed from YouTube TV‘s steady growth into a dominant pay-TV operator just nine years after its debut. Programmers have balked at YouTube’s request to “ingest” content into its user experience, a move that would give them a privileged position with respect to customer data.
In NBCU’s case, the company took the unusual step of reviving linear cable outlet NBC Sports Network, in part as a hedge against the efforts of YouTube and other tech giants to aggregate its programming.
YouTube confirmed the Peacock news in a blog post, which noted that Telemundo’s coverage of the Men’s FIFA World Cup, along with Sunday Night Football, NBA and Major League Baseball are among the streamer’s offerings. Outside of sports, notable titles on Peacock include Love Island USA, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island and Law & Order: SVU, as well as pay-1 releases of Universal and Focus movies.
Viewers can watch World Cup matches for free for up to 10 minutes via the Telemundo Deportes YouTube channel, with an option thereafter to convert to a Peacock Premium Plus subscription.
Along with Amazon and Roku, YouTube has been increasing its emphasis on its channel store, whose offerings also include NFL Sunday Ticket.
Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.