NBCUniversal's forthcoming streaming service will be called Peacock and launch in April '20 before the company rolls out a "massive marketing push promoting the service" during the Tokyo Games, according to Lesley Goldberg of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Peacock will "take center stage" during NBC's coverage of the Games, when the "entire NBCUniversal fold will get behind the platform." Originals are "set to launch after the Games." Details on pricing and a formal launch date "will be announced at a later date." The platform will also "feature news and sports content that, too, will be revealed in the weeks and months to come." NBCU Direct-To-Consumer Chair Bonnie Hammer said the company will be working with its sports and news departments to "find out ways where we can be and feel very topical." She said, "With the Olympics being the biggest event in 2020, we're going to be working with the sports team to use the Olympics as one of our launchpads" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/17). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Joe Flint notes Peacock is "expected to be available free to Comcast’s more than 21 million cable subscribers in the U.S." A source said that Comcast and NBCU are also "looking to strike deals with other American pay-TV providers that would allow them to offer Peacock to their subscribers free as well." Cord-cutters will be able to "get access to Peacock as well but for a yet-to-be-announced monthly fee" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/17).
