NBC Announces Extension of Deal with Notre Dame to Keep Exclusive Games on Peacock Until 2029

The expense of live sports rights makes it somewhat surprising that Peacock is one of the least expensive streaming services on the market. Live sports cost media providers a pretty penny, but even with a price increase this year Peacock is still available starting at just $5.99 per month.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have called NBC home for broadcasts of its athletics since 1991. That 32-year relationship is the longest in college sports broadcasting currently, and it’s going to continue until at least 2029 thanks to an extension of the deal between the school and the channel announced this weekend.

“There is no better tradition than Notre Dame Football in South Bend, and we are thrilled to keep that tradition within the NBC Sports family as we extend our relationship as the exclusive home of Fighting Irish home games through the end of the decade,” said Rick Cordella, President, NBC Sports. “With enhanced rights that allow us to present Notre Dame Football on NBC as well as across Peacock and additional platforms, we look forward to bringing the Fighting Irish to fans in more ways than ever before.”

The extension means that all Notre Dame home games will continue to be available on NBC and its companion streamer Peacock. Peacock will not only get exclusive Notre Dame games that won’t air anywhere else, but it will also get a documentary series dedicated to the team that will debut annually and will show its first episode in 2024.

The extension is a great sign for Peacock, which will continue to keep its live sports inventory quite impressive. Fans are responding, as Notre Dame games have averaged more than 5 million viewers over the course of the team’s first five games. That’s an 86% jump in audience over a season ago, and NBCUniversal has only expanded its college sports portfolio this season.

A gigantic deal with the Big Ten is a part of that equation, as well. The blockbuster matchup between Notre Dame and the Ohio State Buckeyes averaged 10.6 million viewers across platforms, and like Notre Dame NBCU’s contract allows it to stream exclusive Big Ten contests every season.

Its enviable live sports lineup is precisely what makes Peacock such an attractive prospect when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. It could also be what helps Peacock survive longer than some other streaming platforms as aggregation becomes a greater industry-wide trend. Its library of lean-back streaming shows and its huge selection of live sports, not to mention the backing of Comcast, one of the largest broadband providers in the United States could be hugely important in keeping Peacock an independent streaming service for years to come.

READ MORE

On Monday, Notre Dame received a massive commitment from 2025 Phoenix (Az.) Brophy College Prep cornerback Cree Thomas. The Arizona native has been a player the Irish staff has prioritized for some time now, and pushing hard for since being offered back on St. Patrick’s Day for the Pot of Gold offer event. As soon as that offer was extended, Notre Dame was going to be hard to beat. With how his former teammate Benjamin Morrison has excelled with the Irish, it’s a great mirror for potential future success. In the end, it was the full package that really intrigued Thomas. “It starts with the amazing academics,” Thomas told Irish Breakdown. “Plus all the connections I came make, it’s like unlike any other. Combine that with football, it really was an easy decision. That atmosphere is something special. Being able to play on the biggest stage, it’s just different.” In a three week stretch earlier this season, Thomas visited for Notre Dame’s games against USC and Pittsburgh. The Irish won those games by a combined 106-27 margin. Seeing those victories were huge, but Thomas really wanted to feel all part of the campus to finalize his decision. “That final visit to Pitt really solidified everything,” he explained. “The coaches have consistently shown me so much love. It’s never just been about football. It’s been about every part of being the best athlete, student and person that I can be. “I wasn’t necessarily planning on committing,” Thomas continued. “That visit really solidified everything and I just didn’t need to see anything else. I committed a few days ago and it’s been the greatest feeling in the world to know that I am Irish.” It’s safe to say that Thomas is ecstatic to be a member of the Notre Dame class. As are his parents, who have been sold very early on. “My parents are thrilled,” said Thomas. “We have had a lot of conversations about it. It’s the place where they wanted me to go the whole time.” A big component of solidifying the decision for Thomas were the Notre Dame coaches. They played a massive role, especially Mike Mickens. “The coaches were super important,” Thomas began. “I have developed a great relationship with Coach Mickens. Him being my position coach, it’s really important to feel like he’s the best person to develop me all around. That piece, along with the great conversations, really helped to lead me to this decision. “There’s nothing better than knowing one of the best defensive back coaches in college football is going to be coaching me,” Thomas continued. “Seeing what Coach Mickens has been able to do with Ben (Morrison) and knowing that if I work as hard as him, I can mirror him. It’s a great example of what his coaching can do.” The Arizona native had quickly attracted the attention of several prominent PAC 12 schools, including holding offers from Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona and Cal early on. Thomas also holds offers from the Fighting Irish, Wisconsin and Purdue among others. The 6-1, 170-pound cornerback