Peacock to broadcast 20 Big 12 men's basketball games through sublicense deal

Big 12 basketball is coming to Peacock. The conference is entering a multi-year agreement with NBC to stream games on the platform, the two sides announced Tuesday.

Peacock is set to air 20 Big 12 men’s basketball games this season, according to the announcement. The partnership came about through a sublicense deal between NBC and FOX Sports, Sports Business Journal’s Ben Portnoy reported. FOX and ESPN are the Big 12’s two primary media partners.

The full schedule of games is not yet available. However, NBC said it would include both conference and non-conference games.

“The Big 12 is thrilled to partner with NBC Sports and Peacock as we continue to expand access and coverage of Big 12 men’s basketball,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark in a statement. “Alongside our portfolio of existing media partners, NBC Sports and Peacock will provide our league with unprecedented promotion and storytelling.”

Big 12 basketball will also air on TNT Sports as part of a settlement which will see Inside The NBA move to ESPN through a sublicense deal. ESPN will also sublicense games to CBS through a deal that runs through 2027 – meaning the Big 12’s reach includes FOX, ESPN, NBC, CBS and TNT Sports.

“The Big 12 is one of the most successful conferences in college basketball, enjoying a recent run of excellence on top of a storied history for many of its prestigious programs,” said Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports, in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with the Big 12 to showcase its top-tier college basketball players, teams, and rivalries, and promoting our slate of men’s games on Peacock alongside NBC Sports’ extensive portfolio of college sports and world-class events.”

Peacock continues to grow sports presence

Peacock has become a key player in the media rights space, including at the college level. Notre Dame football airs an exclusive game on the platform while the Big Ten airs nearly 200 men’s and women’s basketball games. Additionally, as part of the Big Ten’s media rights deal with NBC, conference football games also air on Peacock.

The Big East also has a deal in place with NBC to stream games on Peacock. It’s part of NBC’s investment in the basketball space, which includes being part of the new NBA and WNBA media rights deals.

NBCUniversal is also considering the launch of a cable sports channel, the Wall Street Journal reported. It would carry sports primarily streamed on Peacock.

The Big 12’s media rights deal with FOX and ESPN expired last year, but Yormark negotiated shortly after he took over as commissioner. That meant a new six-year deal worth $2.28 billion took effect this year, meaning the conference secured its media partners through 2031.