New Universal films to stream exclusively on Peacock

FILE PHOTO: A peacock is pictured outside NBC headquarters at Rockefeller Center in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

(Reuters) - Newly released films from Universal Studios will stream exclusively on Peacock as soon as 45 days after they debut in theaters and will be available for users to rent or purchase, the company said on Thursday.

The new release strategy begins with Universal's 2022 films. It will bring movies to NBCUniversal’s nascent Peacock streaming service more quickly by compressing the traditional eight to nine month wait between a film’s theatrical debut and its availability on streaming services.