NBCUniversal's streaming service will launch in April 2020 (via The Verge). It will have a free ad-supported tier as well as a premium ad-free tier.

Free with ads
NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke confirmed that the new streaming service will launch in April 2020 and that it will be built on a similar platform to Sky's UK-based Now TV streaming service.

Comcast, who owns NBCUniversal, has previously said that an ad-supported version of the service will be free to NBC pay TV subscribers in the US and internationally to Sky subscribers. In addition, a premium version without ads will be available for around $13 dollars per month, according to an earlier report by CNBC.

The company has yet to reveal its content slate other than confirming that The Office will, after it leaves Netflix in late 2020, be available through the new service. It will also offer content from Sony, Discovery, and Warner Bros.

With a firm date in place, it is now clear that 3 of the top-4 spenders on content will be launching their own streaming service over the next 7 months. Besides NBCUniversal's streaming service, AT&T's WarnerMedia will launch HBO Max in spring 2020 and Disney will launch Disney+ on November 12, 2019. Apple is also planning to launch its Apple TV+ streaming service this fall.

The name of the streaming service as well as technical details regarding platform support and picture/audio quality have yet to be revealed.



- Source: The Verge, CNBC, Keshav Jha