NBC News has launched NBC News Studio to produce everything from documentaries to docu-series, scripted series and content for “emerging platforms,” the network said Thursday.
“We are very excited to launch NBC News Studios with such a constellation of major players who share our values of distinctive storytelling,” said NBC News Studios president Liz Cole, who made the announcement with NBC News president Noah Oppenheim. “And we look forward to joining forces with others, now that we are officially open for business.”
The “others” referenced in Cole’s statement include Focus Features, Blumhouse Television, Peacock and Quibi, all of whom have signed up to partner with NBC News Studios. Focus Features will co-produce documentaries while Blumhouse Television works on scripted series based on “Dateline” content. Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, will get “a limited docuseries that exposes the untold story of one of America’s most notorious serial killers.” The studio will also be producing the network’s content for Quibi, a streaming mobile platform.
In 2019, NBCU reorganized its television studios, rolling up Universal Television and Universal Content Productions into a single unit led by former Peacock exec Bonnie Hammer as part of a larger restructuring of the company’s TV and streaming operations.
Peacock will launch on April 15 for Comcast Xfinity X1 and Flex subscribers. It will become available nationwide on July 15. Peacock will also have two separate tiers of service (Peacock Free and Peacock Premium), both of which will be free to Comcast and Cox’s 24 million subscribers.