NBC Peacock Signs Deal with Lionsgate, Filling Out Streaming Library

The deal between Comcast and Lionsgate will license content in both directions. When Peacock arrives next year, it'll offer series and films from Lionsgate's production arms. Lionsgate, meanwhile, will borrow NBCUniversal's content for the Starz premium cable channel.

Next year, Peacock will offer more than just NBCUniversal's library of series and films. A deal between Comcast and Lionsgate will license content in both directions. In exchange for Lionsgate's library appearing on Peacock, NBCUniversal has decided to share some of its own content with Starz. It's unclear if the deal will take effect ahead of Peacock's launch in April 2020.

The streaming rights agreement arrives just as Comcast signs on to continue carrying the Starz premium cable channel and its siblings on Xfinity TV. Starz could've been dropped from Comcast's service across the nation, but Lionsgate understood the importance of remaining with one of the most popular cable TV providers. Lionsgate also lacks a formidable streaming service; therefore, signing this deal to license content to Peacock appeared necessary.

Peacock, on the other hand, doesn't need Lionsgate as much. NBCUniversal operates subsidiaries like Univeral Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Focus Features, and Universal Television. When it starts streaming, Peacock will present viewers with more than 15,000 hours of content. The licensing deal from Lionsgate only bolsters what was already a well-stocked platform.

"We are pleased that we were able to extend the partnership to Peacock and other businesses within Comcast while also ensuring Xfinity customers continue to enjoy great Starz programming," Comcast's Dana Strong said in a statement obtained by CNBC.

Both sides are staying quiet on which series and films will appear on Peacock and Starz. Lionsgate typically releases around a dozen films each year, and it does have several shows in production on Starz. The license might lead to Peacock offering The Hunger Games, John Wick, Divergent, La La Land, The Twilight Saga, and other popular films on its platform.

Additionally, NBCUniversal could dip into Lionsgate's back catalog of TV shows that aired on third-party networks. It depends on the existing arrangements Lionsgate has with them. Yet original programming on Starz such as Power, American Gods, and Black Sails could immediately surface on Peacock.

Pricing still needs to be announced, but one report suggests Peacock will exist in three tiers. Viewers don't need to pay anything if they're fine with advertisements, but NBCUniversal could sell a $5 per month plan that features fewer of them. Peacock could then drop ads altogether for $10 per month. It's unconfirmed right now, but that strategy could quickly attract eyeballs generating ad revenue and subscriptions.

We'll learn more about Peacock during an investor event taking place on January 16. NBCUniversal should define an exact release date, pricing, and the specific series and films that will be streaming upon launch.