Peacock reaches two profitable quarters as NBCUniversal split approaches

Peacock’s second consecutive profitable quarter gave Comcast a stronger operating backdrop for its pending NBCUniversal split. CBS also posted audience gains, while SAG-AFTRA extended Duncan Crabtree-Ireland’s contract and added CEO to his title.

Key developments

Peacock sustains profitability

Peacock posted two consecutive profitable quarters after years of losses, according to Comcast’s third-quarter coverage, which also highlighted record-breaking performance for The Odyssey. Co-CEO Brian Roberts touted staff enthusiasm for the pending NBCUniversal split.

Peacock’s move out of losses strengthens the operating position of the business heading into NBCUniversal’s separation.

Oct 22 · Deadline · Deadline · The Hollywood Reporter

CBS grows premiere-week audience

CBS said its premiere-week audience rose 14% year over year, with six series exceeding 10 million viewers after seven days of viewing. The network also claimed seven of the top 10 series across broadcast and streaming competition.

The gains give CBS an early audience benchmark for its programming and multiplatform strategy.

Oct 23 · Skydance

SAG-AFTRA retains its leader

SAG-AFTRA voted to extend Duncan Crabtree-Ireland’s contract and add CEO to his title.

The decision keeps the performers’ union under the same leadership in its dealings with studios and productions.

Oct 25 · Deadline · The Hollywood Reporter · Variety

Also this week

Netflix slate

• Tantara, starring Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo, will premiere exclusively on Netflix on December 11, pairing writer Noh Hee-gyoung with director Lee Yoon-jung. Netflix Press Site

• Netflix began production on La Regenta, a film adaptation of the classic Spanish novel by Leopoldo Alas, known as Clarín. Netflix Press Site

What to watch

• Tantara premieres exclusively on Netflix on December 11.

• NBCUniversal’s pending split is the next corporate milestone; its timing has not been announced in the supplied items.