In a sign of the times, Peacock and independent network Reelz struck an unusual carriage deal, bringing the linear channel and on-demand programming to the NBCUniversal streaming service.
The deal, which goes into effect tomorrow, will distribute Reelz’s unscripted hit On patrol: livelythe police documentaries presented by Dan Abrams, who sat behind them Live PD on SEH. New episodes of the show, produced by Big Fish Entertainment’s Half Moon Pictures, will be available live on Peacock on Friday and Saturday nights, with next-day on-demand access. Other sheet music series on Reelz include On patrol: first shift, Prison, police officers And Autopsy: The Last Hours of…
Terms were not disclosed in a press release announcing the deal. The task of securing railcars in a shrinking pay-TV ecosystem has become a daunting task for programmers, especially for general entertainment. From its peak of more than 100 million homes a decade ago, the pay-TV universe has fallen below 70 million, causing millions of homes to be lost each year. At the same time, Peacock and its competing streaming outlets at other media companies have become a key priority for their parent companies in recent years.
On patrol and other Reelz programs will be available to Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers. The move complements Peacock’s existing network offerings. Unlike competing subscription streamers, since launching in 2020 Peacock has offered third-party linear channel feeds as well as its own targeted FAST channels Saturday night live, Today and other property. These offerings were part of the original strategy to focus on the free, ad-supported tier of the service. With less emphasis on the Free tier, later moves, such as the acquisition of the WWE Network in 2021, focused on increasing the Premium tier.
On patrol: lively regained much of the agreed audience Live PD, which ended in part because of the 2020 riots that saw nationwide anti-police protests following the deaths of George Floyd and others at the hands of police. The series grew viewership by approximately 270% on Reelz among ages 25-54, according to today’s announcement.
The crime and justice settings of Reelz programming also fit Peacock. The streamer has found success with titles as seen Casey Anthony: Where the truth lies; Amber: the girl behind the alarm; And i love you you hate me.
Source: Deadline
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