Peacock TV is a popular streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Launched in July 2020, Peacock offers a wide range of on-demand content, including movies, TV shows, news, sports, and exclusive original programming. Here’s a detailed explanation of why the English Premier League is now on Peacock TV, covering its operations, access requirements, and impact in the media world.
It is worth noting that Peacock is home to the United States of America. The original network with the rights to televise the English Premier League in the USA was NBCSports. However, due to a breakdown in the agreement, NBCUniversal, which owns Peacock TV, secured a record $2.7 billion right to show the Premier League in the US.
Even though Peacock TV was meant for the American market, globalisation has pushed its popularity across the world as they now stream to audiences in the UK and Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
With the way the internet and streaming services have become very accessible via virtual private networks and other avenues, the Nigerian football community who are fans of the English Premier League; have tapped into this avenue to enjoy their favourite club matches and follow the progress of the league.
How Peacock TV got the rights to stream the English Premier League
The English Premier League’s partnership with Peacock has transformed the way fans in the United States consume one of the most popular football leagues in the world. Let’s take a closer look at how Peacock secured television rights, the success of the streaming service thus far, and the benefits it brings to the Premier League, Peacock, and the fans.
In 2020, Peacock, owned by NBCUniversal, obtained the exclusive rights to stream the English Premier League matches in the United States. This move was a significant development as it disrupted the traditional model of paid cable television networks that had previously held the rights. By securing the Premier League, Peacock positioned itself as a leading streaming service for sports enthusiasts.
The partnership has been a resounding success for both the English Premier League and Peacock. Fans now have access to live matches, highlights, and exclusive content through a seamless streaming experience. Peacock’s user-friendly interface and personalized recommendations enhance the viewing experience, making it convenient and enjoyable for supporters.
Benefits of the partnership between Peacock TV and the EPL
The benefits of the Peacock-English Premier League collaboration are manifold. First and foremost, it offers the Premier League management a broader reach and exposure to a wider audience in the United States. The streaming service allows them to connect with millions of fans who prefer online streaming over traditional television.
Peacock, on the other hand, gains a competitive edge by offering a premium sports package to its subscribers. The Premier League is immensely popular, and streaming its matches attracts a dedicated fan base to the platform. This helps Peacock in attracting and retaining subscribers, boosting its market presence and revenue streams.
How Peacock TV streaming EPL matches have affected traditional cable channels
The move to streaming all 380 Premier League matches on Peacock has also impacted the followership of the league on traditional paid cable television networks. While cable networks like Supersport and ESPN on several cable service providers like DSTV, Startimes and the rest, still acquire the rights to broadcast certain matches; Peacock’s exclusive coverage has created a shift in viewership habits.
Fans now have the flexibility to watch their favourite Premier League matches on-demand, at their convenience, and without the need for a cable subscription.
This shift has prompted traditional cable networks to adapt their strategies and invest in enhancing their own streaming platforms to compete with the rise of digital streaming services like Peacock. The competition among broadcasters benefits fans as they have more options to choose from and a higher level of accessibility to Premier League matches.
The Impact Peacock TV Has in the Media World
Peacock TV has made a notable impact in the media industry since its launch. Here are some key aspects of its impact:
a. Diverse Content Library
Peacock offers a vast library of content, including popular TV shows, movies, sports, news, and exclusive original programming. Its extensive catalogue includes content from NBCUniversal’s extensive network and partner studios, making it a one-stop destination for a wide range of entertainment options.
b. Original Programming
Peacock has invested in producing original shows and movies, including reboots of popular franchises like “Saved by the Bell” and “Punky Brewster.” These exclusive titles have attracted viewers and helped establish Peacock as a platform for original and unique content.
c. Sports Coverage
Peacock provides access to live sports events, including select Premier League matches, Olympics coverage, and various sports documentaries. This has enhanced its appeal to sports fans and expanded its offerings beyond traditional entertainment content.
d. Competitive Streaming Landscape
Peacock TV competes in the highly competitive streaming market, alongside other major players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Its entry into the streaming space has increased competition and provided viewers with more choices, leading to innovation and improved content offerings across the industry.
e. Hybrid Revenue Model
Peacock’s hybrid model of offering a free tier with ads and a premium subscription tier has positioned it as an attractive option for cost-conscious viewers. This approach allows it to generate revenue from both advertisers and subscribers, diversifying its income streams.
Strengths of Peacock TV in streaming EPL matches
There are a few important points that go on to show how cool it is to use Peacock TV. They include
- Extensive coverage of all EPL matches and access to on-demand replays and highlights.
- Exclusive shows and content related to the EPL.
- User-friendly interface and integration with other NBCUniversal content.
- Potential access to other sports content, including the Olympics and Premier League documentaries.
Weaknesses of Peacock TV
Peacock TV may not be the best choice for watching EPL matches due to the following reasons
- Requires a subscription fee to access the EPL content.
- Limited availability outside of the United States.
- Not all matches may be available live due to regional blackout restrictions.
- Lack of additional sports coverage beyond the EPL.
Key advantages of using Peacock TV for streaming EPL matches to the average EPL fan
By streaming EPL matches online, Peacock TV provides a convenient and accessible platform for fans to enjoy live EPL action. Here are some key advantages:
Accessible Viewing
Peacock TV allows fans to watch EPL matches from the comfort of their homes or on the go. With the rise of streaming services, viewers can easily access games using various devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers.
Flexibility and On-Demand Content
Peacock TV often provides on-demand access to EPL matches, allowing viewers to catch up on missed games or rewatch memorable moments. This flexibility enables fans to create their own viewing schedules and tailor their EPL experience according to their preferences.
Enhanced Coverage and Analysis
Streaming platforms like Peacock TV often offer additional content, including pre-match analysis, post-match discussions, interviews, and highlights. These supplementary features enhance the viewing experience, providing viewers with deeper insights into the matches, teams, and players.
Broad Coverage
Peacock TV’s streaming of EPL matches extends the reach of the league to a wider audience. This is especially beneficial for fans in regions where traditional television broadcasting may not provide extensive coverage of the EPL.
Potential Cost Saving
Depending on the pricing structure of the streaming service, viewers may find that subscribing to Peacock TV for EPL matches offers a cost-effective alternative compared to traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions.
How much viewership does Peacock TV get streaming EPL matches?
Peacock TV has been recorded to have drawn a considerably large viewership over the years. Earlier this year, four unique matches were live broadcast by Peacock TV, and two of them attracted over 800,000 views. The league’s greatest US streaming viewership saw Peacock’s coverage of Liverpool’s tie with Arsenal on April 9th, averaging 833,000 views.
With other NBC platforms, viewers watched a record 17.7 billion live match minutes. This makes up nine per cent of the prior record set last season which totalled 16.1 billion.
What other sports programming can one get on Peacock besides the EPL?
You can get the following sports programming besides the English Premier League:
- Rugby
- Horse Racing
- Cycling – Tour de France
- Tennis
- Indycar
- Motorsports
- NASCAR
- NFL – Sunday Night Football
- MLB – Sunday Morning Baseball
- WWE
- Golf
It’s crucial to keep in mind that not every game or match in every sport will be available to you, but you still have access to a tonne of live and on-demand sporting events.
Operations of Peacock TV
Peacock TV operates as a subscription-based streaming service with both free and premium tiers. The free tier provides limited access to a selection of content, including a mix of movies, TV episodes, news, and sports, supported by ads. The premium tier, called Peacock Premium, offers a broader library of content, including full series, exclusive shows, live sports, and premieres, with an ad-supported and ad-free option.
The streaming service is available across various platforms, including web browsers, mobile devices (iOS and Android), streaming media players (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast), smart TVs, and gaming consoles. It provides a user-friendly interface, personalized recommendations, and the ability to create multiple user profiles.
Access Requirements to using Peacock TV to stream EPL matches
To access Peacock TV, users need a compatible device with an internet connection. While the service is primarily available to users in the United States, it has expanded its availability to certain international markets as well. Users can download the Peacock app from their respective app stores or access the service through the Peacock website.
For the free tier, users can sign up for a Peacock account with their email address and enjoy limited content with periodic ad breaks. To access the premium content, users can subscribe to Peacock Premium, which requires a monthly or annual subscription fee. Peacock Premium subscribers have the option to choose between an ad-supported or ad-free experience, depending on their preference.
How much does it cost to watch the English Premier League and other content on Peacock TV?
There are premium variants of the subscription service in addition to the free basic version of Peacock. Only the subscription edition of Peacock offers live and on-demand access to Premier League games.
Fans can select from two different packages: monthly or annually. The $49.99 annual pricing is a modest saving above the $4.99 monthly plan or around $4.17 per month.
Although it doesn’t apply to watching live TV, each bundle also offers a different alternative that offers the same streaming material with less advertising.
Peacock TV Competitors
With all these features and benefits, we can understand that Peacock TVs aren’t the only ones in the business. There are other streaming services which also stream the English Premier League. Let’s compare some of these services, including their strengths and weaknesses in relation to Peacock TV:
NBC Sports Gold (now rebranded as Peacock Premium)
Peacock TV’s premium tier offers extensive EPL coverage, including live matches, on-demand replays, highlights, and exclusive shows. It provides comprehensive access to all EPL games, and its interface is user-friendly. However, Peacock TV requires a subscription fee to access EPL content, which may be a downside for some viewers.
ESPN+
ESPN+ is another popular streaming service that offers live streaming of select EPL matches. It has a diverse range of sports content, including soccer, and provides additional coverage, such as pre-and post-match analysis. While it offers a more affordable subscription price compared to Peacock TV, the EPL matches available on ESPN+ are limited, and viewers may not have access to all games.
Paramount+
Formerly known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ is expanding its sports offerings and has secured the rights to stream select EPL matches. It provides a wide range of other content, including movies, TV shows, and original programming. Paramount+ offers a competitive subscription price, but like ESPN+, its coverage of EPL matches is limited compared to Peacock TV.
Sky Sports (UK-based)
Sky Sports is a popular sports broadcasting service in the UK and provides comprehensive coverage of the EPL. It offers live matches, extensive analysis, and various additional programming related to soccer. However, Sky Sports is geographically restricted and may not be available in all countries, making it inaccessible to viewers outside the UK without the use of a VPN.
Final Thought
Now that we have checked out the various facets of Peacock TV and their impact on EPL viewership, we can now see that it offers several benefits to viewers and fans of the sport.
To reiterate, the main reason why the English Premier League is shown on Peacock TV is because of the breakdown in agreement with the previous right owners – NBCSports. NBCUniversal, the holding company of Peacock TV, instead secured the deal.
It is also imperative to note that the specific benefits and features of the English Premier League streaming on Peacock TV may vary based on the terms of their broadcasting rights agreement, regional availability, and the streaming service’s offerings.
It is advisable to consult Peacock TV’s platform for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their EPL coverage.
