Peacock content reaches Europe via Comcast subsidiaries Sky, NBCUniversal

Peacock TV shows and movies

Comcast-owned Sky and NBCUniversal have begun the rollout of content from the latter’s US streaming service Peacock across Sky territories, beginning with a soft launch in the UK and Ireland.

As previously announced, Sky TV and Now customers in the UK and Ireland have access to Peacock TV shows and movies from today at no additional cost, with more content to be added over the coming months.

Sky will continue to roll out the Peacock content in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland in the coming months, making it available to almost 20 million Sky customers in total. It comes after Peacock launched in the US last year.

The Peacock offer includes current US series Saved by the Bell, Rutherford Falls, Punky Brewster, The Girl in the Woods, Five Bedrooms and Vanderpump Rules, as well as hits such as The Office, Parks & Recreation and 30 Rock.

Coming through the pipeline are MacGruber, Bel-Air, Joe Exotic (working title), Killing It, Vampire Academy, Irreverent, The Innocent, The Resort, The Missing, The Best Man, Angelyne, Ted and Battlestar Galactica.

Zai Bennett

It also includes Superstore, AP Bio, The Mindy Project, Will & Grace, Mr. Mayor, Young Rock and Saturday Night Live plus dramas such as Battlestar Galactica, Bates Motel, Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Downton Abbey, House and Suits.

Other shows include Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Million Dollar Listing, Southern Charm, Below Deck, The Real Housewives and Top Chef.

“The introduction of Peacock content on Sky and Now will expand the incredible line-up available to all our customers, giving them access to even more of the best entertainment from our partners at NBCUniversal. With brand-new Peacock originals, must-watch reality and hit library series we couldn’t be more excited to add Peacock for all our customers, at no extra cost,” said Zai Bennett, managing director of content at Sky UK and Ireland.

Lee Raftery, managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at NBCUniversal, added: “Following its successful phased launch in the US, we are excited to mark the international debut of Peacock content in the UK and Ireland on Sky. Peacock provides Sky customers with an expanded catalogue of world-class content, including many of our most popular movies and shows from Peacock and across NBCUniversal.”

In related news, Peacock is in production on a three-part documentary about iconic children’s property Barney the Dinosaur.

This documentary examines the “rock star-like” trajectory of the character, who rose to fame on PBS in the 90s before becoming the target of hate and rage across pop culture, the early internet and playgrounds around the world.

Using exclusive interviews and archival footage, it will offer first-hand accounts of the Barney phenomenon from the cast and crew to its most outspoken critics. It is due to stream on Peacock next year.

The series is produced by Scout Productions (Queer Eye) and directed by Tommy Avallone, who executive produces alongside Scout’s Rob Eric, David Collins, Michael Williams, Amy Goodman Kass and Joel Chiodi with Raymond Esposito. Wendy Greene is co-executive producer and Trent Johnson is producer.

“Barney the Dinosaur was a ubiquitous character for children and parents alike and we are thrilled to work with the Scout Productions team to bring this three-part series to Peacock. This documentary is bound to captivate audiences like Barney has over the years,” said Rod Aissa, executive VP of unscripted content at NBCUniversal television and streaming.