Comcast’s streaming service Peacock is adding a live feed of the Reelz Channel, starting next month.
On March 1, Peacock subscribers will have live access to the Reelz Channel through the service, which will allow viewers to watch “On Patrol: Live,” “Cops,” “The Price of Fame,” “Jail,” “Breaking the Band” and other programs.
The deal is the latest between the streaming service and a linear cable network to offer live access to programming through Comcast’s premium streaming service. Last October, Comcast struck a deal to offer Hallmark’s multiplexed cable network to its streaming service, marking the first time the Hallmark channels have been available beyond a traditional pay television subscription.
Unlike the Hallmark deal, Comcast’s agreement with Reelz Channel comes with a caveat: The network will not be accessible to Peacock subscribers when Reelz Channel is airing Major League Wrestling (MLW) shows. Comcast has an exclusive agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to provide live and on-demand programming from that franchise; WWE is a competitor of MLW.
The addition of the Reelz Channel comes after Comcast quietly removed the ability for new customers to sign up for a free tier of Peacock, instead pushing new streamers to pay for one of Peacock’s two premium plans.
Earlier this month, The Desk reported Comcast was in the process of ending a long-term promotion that saw customers of its Xfinity television and Internet services get free access to Peacock Premium, which normally costs $5 a month. The promotion is expected to end for current customers in June; new Comcast customers won’t be able to get the promotion at all starting in April.
In addition to Peacock, Reelz Channel is also available on DirecTV Stream, Philo and Dish Network’s Sling TV.
