October 2, 2024
NBCUniversal and Charter Communications Oct. 2 announced a new content distribution agreement that includes free access to NBCUniversal’s ad-supported Peacock Premium streaming service for Spectrum TV Select video customers.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Charter will continue its carriage of NBCUniversal’s portfolio of broadcast, entertainment, Hispanic, news and sports networks while including for the first time streaming apps in the cable bundle.
Charter will soon provide Spectrum TV Select video customers up to $65 per month of retail direct-to-consumer streaming value, including Peacock, Disney+, ESPN+, Paramount+, AMC+, BET+, ViX, Max and Discovery+.
The No. 1 cable operator will also allow video customers to upgrade to Peacock Premium+, which is ad-free, and will make both Peacock products available for purchase to its broadband-only customers in 2025.
Matt Bond, chairman, content distribution at NBCUniversal, said the new deal recognizes the value of the media giant’s linear programming and the investments made in developing premium content, while also expanding the distribution of Peacock to more consumers.
The agreement ensures Charter’s continued carriage of NBC and Telemundo-owned stations, Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, E!, MSNBC, Universo, Oxygen, SYFY, Telemundo Network, Universal Kids, USA Network, The Golf Channel, NBC Sports Regional Networks and New England Cable News. The following channels will also be included in the Spectrum TV Stream service: Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, E!, MSNBC, Oxygen, SYFY, and Universal Kids.
“This extension of our strategic relationship with Charter ensures Spectrum video customers will continue to have access to the leading media portfolio, whether they choose to watch on traditional TV or stream it on Peacock,” Bond said in a statement.
Tom Montemagno, EVP, programming acquisition at Charter, said the renewal is the final carriage agreement in place with every major programmer designed to create better flexibility and greater value with the inclusion of free access to DTC streaming apps.
“As we look ahead to 2025, we plan to extend this customer-first philosophy through hybrid linear DTC relationships, DTC streaming to internet-only subscribers, and smaller video packages with DTC add-ons,” Montemagno said.
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