Back to Why Peacock is making a huge bet on YouTube, with Matt Strauss.
Why Is Peacock Partnering With YouTube?
Matt Strauss says YouTube TV has grown at a 26% to 27% compound annual growth rate over the past five years, while the pay TV ecosystem has declined at a 6% to 7% compound annual growth rate. YouTube TV is the fastest growing pay TV distributor, with over 10 million subscribers, and is likely to be the number one pay TV distributor in the next couple of years.
About 80% of Peacock subscribers are on the ad platform, and Peacock typically charges premium CPMs because it can super serve fandoms and franchises with its data. A YouTube relationship announced in summer adds a much deeper integration on data and with Freewheel, the programmatic advertising business. Peacock is almost indifferent about where somebody consumes the content. The bundle is going to drive incremental subscribers and value. An extended linear portfolio agreement with YouTube TV is going to provide stability and growth on the linear side of the portfolio, and deeper integration on data, analytics, and targeting is going to let Peacock monetize inventory.
Independence and a willingness to stay flexible are what put Peacock in a position to make the YouTube deal.