Peacock Bumps HBO To Get Universal Films First, Within Four Months Of Theatrical Release

Starting with its 2022 lineup, Comcast’s Universal Pictures will send new films exclusively to the company’s own Peacock streaming service, no later than four months after they debut in theaters, Comcast announced on Tuesday.

Currently, AT&T’s HBO TV channel and streaming service have first licensing rights to Universal films, generally starting six months after their release in theaters.

Peacock will have the films exclusively for the first four months and last four months of the industry’s traditional 18-month “Pay-One” period, which commences once films leave theaters.

During the interim 10 months, Universal will have the right to offer the films to other distributors.

Peacock will get first distribution of animated movies from the Dreamworks Animation and Illumination, Focus Features’ arthouse films, as well as Universal films.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 2022 lineup includes "Jurassic World: Dominion," new offerings from the animated "Minions" and "Puss in Boots" franchises, and a new movie from "Get Out" filmmaker Jordan Peele, according to Comcast.

Content has become the prime weapon for winning the streaming wars, with Netflix, Amazon, Comcast, AT&T, Disney and others, including Roku, now engaged in competing for new originals, as well as licensing rights.

Next story loading loading..