Universal Confirms Theatrical Windows and Release Strategy

 Universal has finally added its voice to the crowd of studios confirming how they will manage their streaming interests and theatrical pipelines into 2022 and beyond. For now, we will see most of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group content head exclusively to Peacock- but with a confirmed theatrical and VOD release. Brandon Blake of Blake & Wang P.A shares the news.


                                      Brandon Blake

2022 Slate

This new confirmation will begin with the 2022 viewing slate. No more day-and-date releases were confirmed for Peacock this year, either, despite how alluring fresh movies can be for streaming services. Peacock currently stands at 20 million or so active monthly users, and it’s clear they want to grow its potential further, too. Although that benchmark has been announced as ‘way ahead’ of original growth predictions. Will a new exclusivity for Universal movies give Peacock that boost? It’s likely to be tempting fruit to dangle for subscribers. As with HBO Max, which launched similarly to Peacock right into the pandemic craziness, they’ve suffered from empty pipelines due to set closures. Building tantalizing stock now could help offset that unfortunate start.

What of theatrical releases?

That exclusivity does not, however, seem to be coming at the expense of a theatrical release. They were also quick to confirm that movies will move to Peacock as early as’ 45-days post-theatrical release. With the notion that the ‘standard’ 90-day window could ever return receding into the rearview mirror rapidly, that’s a solid enough window and likely to earn them some theatrical support, too. Together, the Vice Chairman and Chief Distribution Officer for UFEG assures us, this will ‘satisfy the needs and expectations for key stakeholders across the spectrum,’ including filmmakers, production partners, Peacock subscribers, and the general public. 

 

To be honest, it likely will! It’s a strategy we’ll likely see repeated by studios with their own streaming assets going forward. 2022 will likely be the test case for how well audiences respond to this solidified strategy, so this entertainment lawyer will be watching with interest.

 

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