This refers to my blogging strategy. It also describes the future movement of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group content.
Peacock has me feeling like Michael Corleone. You know, the fictional crime boss in Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather series. When I read the latest streaming news, I said:
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”
As you know, I blogged about Peacock’s latest news in last week’s column. I was hoping that would be the end of it, at least for a little while. I have a complicated relationship with NBC’s streaming service, after all. I simply can’t ignore Peacock though, especially when it’s making the streaming news. So, let’s dig into it starting with Netflix’s end of things.
The Big Announcement from Netflix
Netflix announced that it will be getting Universal’s newest animated content AFTER it runs on Peacock for four months. The two streaming giants already had such a deal in place, but this new arrangement includes DreamWorks Animation titles. The deal also allows Netflix to license the rights to select Universal titles and the full Animated and Live Action slate from UFEG. The catch is that the big red streaming service gets this content roughly four years after its release. Netflix subscribers will have to wait…
…But This Makes Sense for Peacock
They want to be first. And in the streaming service’s recent deal with Universal, they will be. The agreement lets Peacock users streaming Universal’s theatrical releases. This includes Universal, Focus Features, Illumination, and DreamWorks Animation titles. These will be available no later than four months after their theatrical debuts. The deal also includes original Universal films developed and produced exclusively for Peacock.
This deal is great for Peacock. As for the viewers, they’ll have to wait. The Universal content will appear on NBC’s streaming service sometime in 2022. It makes sense that NBC execs want to make Netflix viewers wait a little longer for the same programming. At first, I thought all of this waiting might cause some churn for both streaming services. Now, I think something else will happen.
Peacock and Netflix Subscribers Won’t Notice the Wait
I’m not saying that Universal content isn’t good. What I’m saying is that there already are hundreds of shows to watch on both streaming services. That’s enough to keep streamers busy until the Universal content drops. And when it does, hardly anyone will even notice that the content is from Universal. It will just be “new content,” and new content is enough. Most viewers will base their choices on the quality of its content, not the production company. It’s as simple as that.
I Just Thought of Something
What if what I said above is just me projecting my thoughts and feelings onto streamers everywhere? I mean, I might be the (self-proclaimed) King of Streaming, but a king doesn’t speak for all his subjects. (Only a foolish ruler thinks he does.) In other words, I could be totally backward about this whole thing. There might be some hardcore Universal fans out there who are steamed about having to wait so long for this content. If this describes you, vent your spleen in the comments section.
OK, folks. Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I know my old (and I mean ancient!) pal Stuart Sweet won’t hide his feelings. He’ll be wrong, but that’s never stopped him before.
