NBCUniversal has unveiled a broad range of programming for the first slate of original productions for its streaming service, which has officially (and more than a little predictably) been dubbed Peacock.

Photo by Danny Moloshok – Sam Esmail arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Homecoming”, in Los Angeles, CA LA Premiere of “Homecoming”, Los Angeles, USA – 24 Oct 2018

The biggest single title announcement is a new series in the Battlestar Galactica universe, with Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail as show runner. The series has been rebooted once before, with production on the pilot beginning as early as 2000, with its release in 2003. That series starred Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnel, among others, and lasted four seasons, spawning two TV movies and a prequel series Caprica, which aired on SyFy for one season in 2010. The original, of course, aired in 1978 on ABC and starred Lorne Greene as Commander Adama.

Esmail, however, said in a tweet today that the new show would not be a reboot, but instead would instead focus on a new story within that universe. The expressions of relief from fans were significant.

There will be more science fiction on the streamer as well. The series adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World was ordered straight-to-series at the NBCUniversal cable channel USA Network, but that show will be put on Peacock instead. Dr. Death, based on the podcast of the same name, has also been ordered to series and will star Jamie Dornan, Alec Baldwin, and Christian Slater.

SCIFI.radio’s station manager and editor in chief Gene Turnbow created this model of a Cylon probe ship for the FX previz team for the first reboot of Battlestar Galactica, working directly under Gary Hutzel.

The guiding hands at Peacock think we want reboots of 80’s and 90’s shows, so we’re getting a revival of Saved by the Bell, with original series cast members Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley reprising their roles in addition to serving as producers, as well as a Punky Brewster sequel series starring Soleil Moon Frye (presumably in the title role). The upcoming second Psych movie, entitled Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, was made for USA Network, but will debut Peacock as well.

It was previously announced that Peacock would be the exclusive streaming home of the NBC series The Office beginning in 2021 when the show’s current deal with Netflix expires. Peacock has announced that it will also stream shows including:

  • 30 Rock
  • Bates Motel
  • Battlestar Gallactica
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • Cheers
  • Chrisley Knows Best
  • Covert Affairs
  • Downton Abbey
  • Everyone Loves Raymond
  • Frasier
  • Friday Night Lights
  • House
  • Keeping Up with the Kardashians
  • King Of Queens
  • Married…With Children
  • Monk
  • Parenthood
  • Psych
  • Royal Pains
  • Saturday Night Live
  • Superstore
  • The Real Housewives
  • Top Chef
  • Will & Grace

The platform will also feature more than 3,000 hours of Telemundo’s content, including an original dramedy Armas de Mujer.

We will also see some classic films from the Universal Pictures and Focus Features libraries, including those from the Fast & Furious, Bourne, and Back to the Future franchises. There will also be some new original content from Universal Pictures, and Dreamworks Animation will be creating original animated content.

The Peacock service will launch in April of 2020. It will be both advertising and subscription supported, which may mean that there will be tiered access, a cheap or free version with ads you can’t skip, and a premium version without ads. Details on pricing and distribution will be announced closer to launch.

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SCIFI Radio Staff
SCIFI Radio Staff

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