Comcast is moving forward with a plan to offer sports from its NBC regional sports networks through Peacock, according to a report published this week.
On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal said Comcast could offer access to live games from its NBC Sports-branded regional cable networks as soon as next year.
The integration would bolster Peacock’s offering of live sports programming, while giving sports fans in four markets access to basketball, baseball and hockey games without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.
Comcast and NBC Universal are still working through the details of the plan, the Journal said, and might charge more for access to regional sports offered through Peacock beyond what the streaming service typically costs.
Related: Comcast could put regional sports networks on Peacock
Comcast began negotiating with the teams and leagues offered through the NBC Sports channels at least two years ago, according to comments made by NBC Universal Chairman Mark Lazarus. At the time, Lazarus said the cable and satellite ecosystem then “won’t support what we’re currently paying” for live sports rights from the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB).
“It’s going to be more of a share-the-risk mentality,” he said, noting that franchises and leagues could earn a cut of subscription revenue in markets where Comcast offers live access to sports carried on its regional networks.
Those details are still being ironed out, the Journal said on Wednesday, and the rollout of regional NBC Sports games could be delayed beyond early 2025 if agreements are not reached.
Once the deals are in place, it would allow fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers and other sports teams to break from cable and satellite and watch games through Peacock.
