NBCUniversal has officially integrated its four Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) into Peacock as paid subscriber add-ons, marking a significant shift in how local sports content is distributed outside the traditional pay-TV model.
Subscribers to Peacock Premium ($7.99 per month) or Peacock Plus ($13.99 per month, ad-free) can now access NBC’s local sports channels for an additional monthly fee, depending on the specific channel. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing and coverage:
- NBC Sports Bay Area – $17.95/month
Covers MLB’s San Francisco Giants and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Also includes non-game programming for the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, and game coverage for San Jose State athletics and the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League. - NBC Sports California – $17.95/month
Provides access to MLB’s Oakland Athletics, the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, and the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. Also includes coverage of San Jose State football and basketball, Bay FC (NWSL), and the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). - NBC Sports Boston – $14.95/month
Home to the NBA’s Boston Celtics and the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. Also offers programming tied to the NFL’s New England Patriots and game access for the Maine Celtics (NBA G League). - NBC Sports Philadelphia – $24.95/month
Features coverage of MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.
The move reflects the growing challenges faced by regional sports networks due to rising sports programming costs and a shrinking pay TV subscriber base caused by cord-cutting. Leading pay TV providers, including NBCU parent Comcast, have also moved RSNs to higher-tier programming bundles, further reducing their subscriber reach.
By offering RSNs as streaming add-ons, NBCUniversal is adapting to shifting consumer habits while providing sports fans with more flexible options to access local sports coverage.