Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Peacock’s Sports Help Comcast Climb

  • Peacock has helped Comcast soar to new heights.
  • The streaming service has reached 42 million sign-ups in the U.S.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is helping its parent company Comcast soar to new heights, according to the company’s latest earnings report.

Comcast reported revenue of $27.2 billion in Q1 2021 — a $600 million increase year-over-year — thanks in part to Peacock.

The service now has 42 million subscribers in the U.S., up from 33 million in Q4 2020. 

Comcast credits much of that growth to its exclusive World Wrestling Entertainment rights. In January, Peacock struck a five-year deal with WWE valued at more than $1 billion with WWE. The move brought over 1.2 million subscribers from the now-defunct WWE Network.

WrestleMania 37, held earlier this month, was the most-viewed live event in Peacock history.

Exact viewership numbers were not disclosed, but the No. 1 ranking is notable because the service also carries Premier League matches and select NFL games. 

Peacock expects to spend at least $2 billion in its first two years to build its offerings. It also recently secured exclusive rights to stream the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League season. In a landmark moment for the sport, PLL merged with Major League Lacrosse in December.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Texas State mascot

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).

Featured Today

Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
May 21, 2026

CBS, TNT Sports Parents Face New Merger Scrutiny by Lawmakers

A group of six U.S. senators raises concerns about the proposed megadeal.
May 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ronda Rousey (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Gina Carano (red gloves) after a women's featherweight bout at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
May 21, 2026

How Jake Paul’s MVP Plans to Build on Netflix MMA Debut

Saturday’s debut averaged 12.4 million viewers on Netflix.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
May 20, 2026

NHL Playoffs Deliver Record Second-Round Ratings for ESPN, TNT

The Canadiens-Sabres series brought additional audience milestones.
The University of Alabama showed off renovations to Bryant Denny Stadium Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Sports Illustrated covers decorate the walls inside the new press box. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
May 20, 2026

Sports Illustrated Defends Its Standards After Plagiarism Incident

SI removed its prediction-markets affiliate following accusations of plagiarism.
Racin' With The Boys
exclusive
May 20, 2026

‘Bussin’ With the Boys’ Launching New NASCAR Show

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions will produce the show.
May 19, 2026

NFL Pushes Back on Criticism Over TV and Streaming Deals

The league remains steadfast in its overall media approach.