Practically every streaming service not named Netflix has turned to bundling options over the past few years, with so-called competitors teaming up to deliver combo packs like Disney+ and HBO Max. No service has been bundled quite as much as Peacock, though. If you’ve somehow managed to avoid one of the many, many ways one can gain access to The Office these days, YouTube Premium members are the latest to join in on the fun.
Nearly a year after some heated negotiations, Google is deepening their partnership with NBC Universal to deliver Peacock Premium access to YouTube Premium subscribers in the US sometime in the coming months. It’s the latest move in said partnership, which also includes a handful of live sporting events carried by NBC’s various networks to stream for free on the NBC Sports YouTube channel.
While this is basic access to the ad-supported Peacock Premium — not the more expensive and ad-free Peacock Premium Plus plan, and no, I’m not making up that name — today’s announcement does point to a future deal allowing users to upgrade their membership. International bundles for those outside of the US without access to Peacock are also on the way.
Whenever Google does roll out this perk for subscribers, it’ll only come to those on the fully-fledged YouTube Premium plan. Those on the cheaper, Music-less YouTube Premium Lite plan will miss out on the bundle. Perhaps this announcement will make this summer’s price hike feel just a little easier to accept for long-time subscribers.
If you’re unwilling to wait for free Peacock access through YouTube, there’s a non-zero chance you might already have a free subscription waiting through another avenue. Walmart+ members, for example, can pick between ad-supported plans from Paramount+ or Peacock, while Apple TV offers a Peacock bundle for just $2 more per month over its usual plan. Even Instacart+ comes with Peacock, for some reason — I guess Love Island really is too juicy to actually head to the grocery store.
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Will Sattelberg is a writer and podcaster at 9to5Google. You can reach out to Will at will@9to5mac.com, or find him on Twitter @will_sattelberg
