NBCU, YouTube sign wide-ranging deal to expand carriage of Peacock, Hayu, Universal+

Peacock carries the US version of The Traitors

NBCUniversal and YouTube have struck a major new agreement that will extend the distribution of US-only streamer Peacock, as well as international streamers Hayu and Universal+.

Under the multi-faceted pact, Peacock will be included in a bundle with YouTube Premium, which is an ad-free tier that includes all of YouTube’s videos and YouTube Music.

The deal means YouTube Premium subscribers in the US will be able to access all of Peacock’s live sports programming, which includes the NBA, American football and Premier League football, as well as unscripted titles like Love Island USA and The Traitors, Universal movies and scripted originals.

NBCUniversal, which is in the process of being spun off from Comcast, also extended its multi-year distribution deal with YouTube TV, a streaming television service that offers live sports, news and more than 100 cable and local channels.

The companies also expanded their international relationship, with reality-focused Hayu and Universal+ set to be carried via YouTube Premium in select markets outside the US.

In addition, NBC Sports will serve as the production partner for some live sporting events on YouTube, the companies said.

The announcement comes less than a week after Comcast reported Peacock had posted its first-ever quarterly profit, which Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh called a “milestone event.”

“We’re incredibly excited to expand our partnership with NBCUniversal to redefine what a modern entertainment subscription can be for consumers,” said YouTube CEO Neal Mohan in a statement announcing the pact.

Matt Strauss, chairman of NBCUniversal’s Media Group, added: “With this agreement, Peacock accelerates its next phase of growth by bringing the service to millions of YouTube Premium subscribers, driving long-term value for our business.”