Peacock adds notable local games

In a major play to modernize its local sports offerings, NBCUniversal will reportedly make its four NBC Sports regional networks available to Peacock subscribers in those local markets. Those networks include NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Boston, and NBC Sports Philadelphia; home to high-profile teams like the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Per the Wall Street Journal , Peacock could begin streaming these regional sports networks as soon as 2025, though the rollout could be delayed as details are ironed out. One potential plan that NBC executives are discussing is to make the networks available at an additional price through a Peacock add-on.

As of the end of 2023, the four NBC Sports regional networks had 10.7 million pay-TV subscribers.

The move comes after NBC has chosen to divest from several of its other regional sports networks. In 2021, the company shut down NBC Sports Northwest which broadcast the Portland Trail Blazers and Vancouver Canucks. In 2022, NBC Sports Washington was sold to Ted Leonsis’ Monumental Sports & Entertainment which airs Washington D.C.’s professional franchises. Recently, NBC Sports Chicago, home of the Chicago White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks, was shut down and replaced by Chicago Sports Network.

NBC offering its local sports channels on its streaming service is a unique opportunity. At this point, most remaining regional sports networks are not owned by a national broadcaster like NBC which has a prominent streaming service like Peacock.

Recently, leagues including Major League Baseball and the NBA have floated the idea of bundling local rights to many franchises together and selling them to a larger streaming service such as Amazon’s Prime Video. Much of this discussion is a result of the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings involving Diamond Sports Group, owner of the former Bally Sports networks, which at times has presented the possibility that many team’s local rights would become available all at once.

To NBC’s credit, the regional sports networks they have held onto all feature prominent teams. It makes sense to use Peacock’s infrastructure to expand the reach of these networks outside of those with a pay-TV subscription. The balance, of course, will be to price the offering so as to not encourage cord-cutting from its own Xfinity TV customers in these markets.

[ Wall Street Journal ]

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