The wait has gotten easier for fans of Universal Pictures franchises who would prefer to skip the theater.
As shared by NBCUniversal in a press release published on Thursday, future films from the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group will be available on NBC’s Peacock streaming service as early as 45 days after their theatrical release. This is a significant shortening of the traditional window, which was around 120 days.
NBCUniversal on some of the major titles that Peacock subscribers will be able to check out just weeks after their initial theatrical debut:
The 2022 theatrical slate will feature some of the biggest titles from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation including The 355, the hard-driving original approach to the globe-trotting espionage genre starring Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Bingbing Fan, Diane Kruger and Lupita Nyong’o; Ticket To Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts; The Black Phone from Blumhouse Productions starring Ethan Hawke; Marry Me starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson; new movies from DreamWorks Animation including The Bad Guys; Downton Abbey: A New Era from Focus Features; Ambulance, the breakneck thriller from director-producer Michael Bay; the final installment of the Halloween franchise Halloween Ends and much more.
“As we continue investing in the most valued and sought-after content for Peacock, films are essential to that mix,” said Kelly Campbell, President, Peacock. “The team at Universal Filmed Entertainment Group are fantastic partners and we are excited to bring their amazing slate of blockbuster films and beloved franchises to Peacock as early as 45 days after their theatrical release, and provide a steady stream of fresh, original films exclusively for Peacock customers throughout the year.”
“Prioritizing the theatrical experience and eventizing our world class content remains the cornerstone of our business,” said Peter Levinsohn, Vice Chairman and Chief Distribution Officer, UFEG. “By ensuring our upcoming slate has both a theatrical window and timely Peacock debut, we satisfy the needs and expectations for key stakeholders across the spectrum, from our filmmakers and producing partners, to cinemagoers and Peacock subscribers.”
NBCUniversal launched its Peacock streaming service on July 15, 2020. The service’s Premium (limited ads) and Plus (ad-free) tiers cost $4.99 and $9.99 per month, respectively, but there’s also a free tier that offers over 40,000 hours of content and more than 50 always-on channels at no cost.
Source: NBCUniversal