This week, Comcast announced a plan to spin off many of its NBC Universal cable TV networks, such as E! and MSNBC.
Given the popularity of many of these channels, the decision may have you wondering what will happen to your current streaming subscriptions ― especially if you’re a Peacock user.
Here’s the gist: Comcast, which owns NBC Universal, is set to create a new publicly traded company comprised of NBC Universal’s TV networks, as well as movie ticketing platform Fandango and TV and film critic site Rotten Tomatoes, among other assets. But Comcast will retain certain NBC Universal assets, like the Peacock streaming service, the Telemundo network, theme park businesses and film and television studios.
Peacock powers several popular networks, including Bravo, which is home to series and franchises like “The Real Housewives,” “Vanderpump Rules” and “The Valley.” So if you consider yourself fully emerged in the Bravo universe — and perhaps you were one of the 4.1 million viewers who tuned in last year to watch the infamous #Scandoval affair unfold on “Vanderpump” — you can rest assured that this spin-off plan does not detail any changes to your streaming access.
Likewise, the Comcast announcement does not list any changes to streaming access for its other media properties, such as NBC Entertainment, which is also powered by Peacock and will remain with Comcast.
Streaming and so-called “cord-cutting,” which refers to the act of canceling your cable TV subscription, has grown in popularity over the years. In an earnings call earlier this year, the company hinted at making these changes with these viewership habits in mind, HuffPost previously reported.
For those who still utilize cable, not much is expected to change with how you watch cable TV networks currently owned by Comcast’s NBCUniversal, either.
You are expected to still be able to watch networks, like MSNBC, E! and Oxygen, via your cable provider as usual after the spin-off plan is complete (which is projected to take one year). So basically, the parent company will change, but not much is slated to change from the consumer side of things.
Long story short, binge away worry-free for now. And if you need a list of recommendations for what to watch, check out HuffPost Life’s Streamline series, where we break down the best in TV and movies on your favorite streaming platforms.