NBCUniversal is teaming up with Apple to enhance their streaming service offerings, aiming to attract new subscribers through bundled subscriptions of Peacock and Apple TV. This collaboration also features a cross-promotion initiative that allows Apple TV and Peacock subscribers to enjoy select shows from the counterpart’s catalog without additional charges.
Starting October 20, the new Apple TV-Peacock bundles will be accessible to new customers in the U.S. This package combines Apple originals like “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” and “The Morning Show” with Peacock’s offerings such as “The Paper,” “The Office,” “The Traitors,” “Love Island USA,” and more — along with the return of the NBA on Peacock starting October 21, marking pro basketball’s comeback to NBCU after a two-decade hiatus.
For U.S. customers, the Apple TV and Peacock Premium bundle (with ads) is priced at $14.99 per month, offering a 37% discount. Alternatively, the Apple TV-Peacock Premium Plus package (with limited ads) is available for $19.99 per month, which represents a 33% savings. These deals can be found in both services’ apps and websites.
On its own, Apple TV, which is undergoing a rebranding to drop the plus from “Apple TV+”, costs $12.99 per month in the U.S. following a recent price increase. For Peacock, Premium (with ads) is now $10.99 per month, while the Premium Plus (limited ads) has increased to $16.99 per month after recent hikes.
Additionally, subscribers to Apple One’s Family and Premier plans will now have the opportunity to sign up for Peacock Premium Plus at a 35% discount, marking a new benefit for Apple’s integrated subscription service.
This partnership allows users of the Apple TV app and Peacock subscribers to sample a variety of shows available on each other’s platforms. Upon launch, Peacock subscribers can view up to three episodes from Apple TV titles like “Stick,” “Slow Horses,” “Silo,” “The Buccaneers,” “Foundation,” “Palm Royale,” and “Prehistoric Planet.” In return, Apple TV app users can explore up to three episodes from Peacock offerings, such as “Law & Order,” “Bel-Air,” “Twisted Metal,” “Love Island Games,” “Happy’s Place,” “The Hunting Party,” and “Real Housewives of Miami.”
Moreover, Comcast, the parent company of NBCU, provides the StreamSaver bundle at $15 per month for Xfinity users, which combines Peacock, Apple TV, and Netflix. The Apple TV-Peacock bundle is distinct because it is available nationwide, and Apple is collaborating with Peacock on marketing efforts.
For NBCU, this partnership to combine Apple TV with Peacock forms part of a larger strategy to explore more bundling and partnership options, aimed at expanding Peacock’s visibility and subscriber base. In August, NBCU announced a partnership with Amazon to allow Prime Video customers to subscribe to Peacock. This month, it also secured a long-term deal with Google for the inclusion of its channels on YouTube TV, which includes the forthcoming offering of Peacock as a subscription through YouTube Primetime Channels.
Previously, NBCU had primarily focused on growing Peacock’s subscriber count independently, but executives now feel that Peacock has achieved significant momentum due to its comprehensive range of sports rights, original content, next-day NBC and Bravo offerings, as well as its movie selection, which includes Universal titles.
“There is no more ideal streaming package than the Apple TV and Peacock Bundle, as our content offerings complement one another with top-tier shows, movies, sports, and live events,” expressed Matt Strauss, chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group. “Through this groundbreaking initiative with Apple, we are transforming the customer journey for streaming bundles with extensive sampling options and a streamlined sign-up process, while also enhancing Peacock’s reach to a broader audience.”
Oliver Schusser, Apple’s VP of Apple TV, Apple Music, Sports, and Beats, commented: “We’re excited to present this comprehensive bundle featuring incredible programming and to extend Apple TV’s beloved shows and films to a wider audience. Whether it’s critically acclaimed originals or essential live sports, the Apple TV and Peacock Bundle brings together the best entertainment in an intuitive and seamless experience.”
Here’s a promotional video for the Apple TV-Peacock bundle:
Featured above: Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” alongside Steve Carell in “The Office.”
