According to a Wall Street Journal report, NBCUniversal is exploring the launch of its own national sports cable network. Internal discussions are in early stages, but sources suggest a possible launch as early as Fall 2025.
This ambitious timeline could be feasible by utilizing sports content from Peacock to fill a significant portion of the network's schedule. The potential move seems counterintuitive, given Comcast's spin-off of nearly all its linear cable networks into Versant, citing declining linear TV viewership.
The spin-off includes the Golf Channel, and the broader trend of media giants like Warner Bros. Discovery also spinning off linear properties. Furthermore, NBCUniversal previously shuttered its NBCSN cable sports network in 2021. However, there are potential advantages.
A primarily Peacock-based network could be cost-effective, repurposing existing content. It could also strategically reach cord-cutters while maintaining lower operational costs. With upcoming Olympics, NBCUniversal needs more distribution after the Versant spin-off of channels like USA Network and CNBC.
The new network could differ significantly from NBCSN, given the evolved sports landscape and potential content variations. It could leverage NBCUniversal's recent investments, such as the $2.5 billion deal to bring back NBA games, which also includes Peacock streaming rights. Live sports can still attract substantial viewership, making this a viable consideration.
The possibility of rights conflicts between Peacock-only content and the cable network's broadcast needs to be addressed. Solutions include content blackouts during conflicts or securing broader rights. A pop-up channel format, solely active during live sports, is another possibility. The network's name remains undetermined, but options include reviving the NBCSN brand or a Peacock-linked name.
Sources suggest the network could be sold as part of a sports bundle or tier to traditional MVPDs. Comcast could also utilize its Xfinity cable and broadband business for quicker, wider carriage and potentially favorable terms.