Streaming Services Trend Shifting: Possible Move of Popular Films to Peacock Platform
Scoop on the Streaming Wars' Latest Twist
Hey there, folks! Buckle up, because the streaming wars just got a bit more intense.
According to some industry insiders spilling the beans to Bloomberg, it looks like Peacock's parent company, NBCUniversal, might be considering pulling its movies from heavyweights like Netflix and HBO Max. This move is said to be aimed at boosting Peacock's own content game. Intriguingly, Bloomberg also reported that contracts between Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, HBO Max, and Netflix are due to expire at the year's end.
No official word yet on whether these films will be vanished from their current streaming homes, where they've been hanging out for less than a year following their big-screen debuts. A spokesperson for the powers that be stayed mum on the negotiations, but did confirm that discussions around pay 1 rights agreements are happening this year, and multiple parties have shown interest.
With the streaming landscape becoming increasingly competitive, it's little wonder that Peacock might be considering such a move. While these licensing deals are likely stacking up the dough for NBCUniversal, the terrain is littered with big players like Netflix and Disney+, boasting around 200 million and 100 million subscribers, respectively. Peacock, which burst onto the scene last year, reported a more modest 33 million subscribers back in January.
So, what sets Peacock apart? Well, besides a whole heap of content that its competitors don't have their grubby little hands on, its WWE hub is sure to draw in some wrestling fans. However, Netflix and HBO Max are emptying their pockets for high-quality originals, which should help them keep growing and snag new subscribers.
If NBCUniversal does indeed yank its films from its rivals, the question remains: will it make a significant difference, especially for movies that have already graced the silver screen? This is particularly pertinent as the light at the end of the covid-19 tunnel—a.k.a. the vaccine— draws nearer and consumers start feeling safe enough to venture back out to the movies.
Will this potential shake-up leave subscribers high and dry? Probably. But who knows? Some might not even notice if Peacock pulls this sneaky move.
Bonus Bite:NBCUniversal has a history of managing its content to favor Peacock. For example, the Harry Potter series once resided on HBO Max but was set to depart due to prior broadcast rights agreements with NBCUniversal. Fortunately, it returned to HBO Max after some adjustments were made[1]. It seems that NBCUniversal has a tendency to relocate content from other platforms for the sake of Peacock.
NBCUniversal is set to spend the most on video content in 2025, a move that suggests a commitment to building up Peacock's library[5]. While it's unclear if NBCUniversal will lock its movies away from Netflix and HBO Max for good, any decisions would likely depend on the strategic advantages they present.
- As negotiations for licensing agreements between Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, HBO Max, and Netflix approach their expiration, there are rumors that NBCUniversal might pull its movies from streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max to boost Peacock's content.
- If this rumored move materializes, it could signify a significant shift in the streaming landscape, considering the popularity of platforms like Netflix and Disney+ with over 200 million and 100 million subscribers, respectively.
- Peacock, with a more modest 33 million subscribers, might be hoping that this strategic move could set it apart, particularly with its WWE hub and exclusive content.
- However, Netflix is known to invest heavily in high-quality original content to maintain and grow its subscriber base, suggesting that it might not be significantly affected by this potential development.
