Peacock/NBCUniversal

When NBCUniversal joined the fun and launched a streaming service in April of 2020, it was never intended to be a Netflix killer. While its fellow studio conglomerates Disney and WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros Discovery) were launching Disney Plus and HBO Max, respectively, with the allure of their star-driven and high concept original programming, Peacock tried a drastically different approach. Saying it wasn’t working is a nice way of putting it.

For most general consumers, Peacock was simply seen as the service that took The Office away from Netflix. It was, for all intents and purposes, the biggest coup on the service for a while as evidenced by NBCUniversal literally adding different payment tiers based on how much Michael Scott the streaming service would let you watch.

The NBC sitcoms and dramas like Law and Order were the biggest calling cards and that, in turn, made it a punching bag. It was questioned why a so-called new wave streaming service would hitch its wagon to old-school cable programming instead of investing in newer, flashier projects like its competitors. The cable renaissance seeped even farther as the BRAVO reality shows and Hallmark original movies began to make their presences known on the service as well. All of a sudden, that became Peacock’s identity. Reality television and your favorite shows of yesteryear all in one place. The only newer content making a name for itself on the platform was Yellowstone and the show wasn’t even produced by the company. It was only there by a stroke of deal-making luck with Paramount.

Peacock is still by far the smallest major streaming service. However, NBCUniversal has made major strides in the past year-plus to make it something that the general consumers should start paying attention to. From major sports deals to original content by celebrated auteurs, the platform could finally be finding the right way to execute its unconventional plan.

Has Peacock finally found the right way to mesh yesterday and today all in one (extremely cheap considering its competition) all-demand service? Maybe so.

Here are 6 reasons you should subscribe in 2023 to find out.

1. Universal Films Straight From Theatres

Universal Studios is one of the largest movie studios in the world with many highly regarded films coming out every year under the globe banner. Thankfully for Peacock, they are both owned by the same company so when these major movies leave theaters, their first stop is at the service.

Whether you saw the film already and want a second viewing from home, or are just catching up, Peacock has them right there on demand. Recent blockbusters such as the George Clooney and Julia Roberts starring romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise is right there as is action thrillers like Violent Night and Beast. Jordan Peele’s phenomenal Nope is as well. They even have Oscar-bait films such as She Said and the likely Academy Award Best Actress winner Cate Blanchett in Tar. There’s truly something for everyone.

Later this year M3GAN, Knock at the Cabin (directed by M. Night Shymalan), Fast X, Cocaine Bear, The Super Mario Bro. Movie, and Oppenheimer (directed by Christopher Nolan) will be joining the above titles after their respective theatrical runs. Very few other services have exclusive deals like Peacock has with Universal Studios and it's certainly something consumers should take advantage of.

2. Increase in Quality Originals

For a while there, Peacock couldn’t even make a dent in the original content world. While Netflix was churning out Stranger Things and HBO Max was unleashing The White Lotus, the best thing Peacock was bringing to the table was Psych 2: Lassie Come Home.

However, the additions of the Tina Fey created Girls5eva, One of us is Lying, and the Will Smith executive produced Bel Air, offered the service some clout at the table. Most recently, Andy Ciara (Palm Springs) brought the acclaimed The Resort some fanfare and now Rian Johnson’s Poker Face is already one of the most celebrated shows of the year and ready to kick the door down.

Peacock is due to release even more original content this year and if this recent momentum keeps up, it’ll be hard not to give them a look.

3. Sports

Peacock has made a massive splash in the sporting world lately. The service is great for soccer fans most evidenced by the broadcasting of the FIFA World Cup as well as the exclusive rights to Premier League games every week.

The Winter and Summer Olympics are broadcast there as well as horse racing events such as the Triple Crown. They’ve even broken into the football world with Notre Dame on the college side and the Sunday Night Football games on the pro side.

Many of these events are broadcast on NBC proper but if you don’t have cable or a streamer such as YouTube TV, Peacock might be your only way to watch them. Plus, some events that are normally nationally televised will sometimes only be Peacock exclusives, so it would be beneficial to already have the streaming service locked and loaded.

4. WWE

Peacock is the exclusive home for any and all things sports entertainment. When WWE hitched its wagon to NBCUniversal in a deal worth more than $1 billion, some were shaking their heads as to why WWE was taking everything out of house.

It has ended up being a brilliant move for the company and Peacock, respectively. Every single event, past or present, is on the service as well as content from their arch-rival WCW as well. You can relive the glory days of Stone Cold Steve Austin in the ‘90s just as easily as John Cena’s run throughout the 2000s.

Along with the library, all of the "premium live-events" are streamed exclusively on the service as well. Gone are the days of paying 70 bucks for a PPV. All it takes now is a Peacock subscription to have the road to Wrestlemania in the palm of your hands. It’s a must have for wrestling fans young and old.

5. Massive Library

With the exception of HBO Max, Peacock has by far the largest internal library of all the major streamers. As mentioned in the open, Peacock has everything that has ever been broadcast on NBC or other subsidiaries under the banner. You can just as quickly go from old school hits such as Cheers and Columbo to modern sitcoms like The Office and Parks and Recreation. The streamer is the comfort show capital of the world.

Along with those scripted series, the BRAVO reality series are also a major part of the library's appeal. If you’re a Real Housewives junkie then the Comcast streamer should be next on your list.

There is no service that provides the nostalgia that Peacock offers at just a scroll.

6. Price

If you’re looking to stream on a budget in 2023 then Peacock might be the subscription for you. While most of the other streamers have been ballooning their prices, Peacock has stayed steady keeping their subscription price at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year (plus tax). It is by far the best deal of all the major services.

The above plan is ad supported but if you would like the limited ad, Peacock Premium Plus plan, it is only $5 more. Compared to many of the other service's plans, that is still a crazy deal.

If you are looking into watching more television in 2023 and want fresh new content and your favorite comfort shows of old, Peacock might just be for you.