The in-season stacking rights issue, which emerged last pilot season, has evolved in the past year, with networks demanding expanded stacking rights in what one industry observer called a pivotal moment for the industry.
NBC has secured “stacking rights” to 90% of its fall TV show lineup, including The Voice, Saturday Night Live and Superstore, and will offer the five most recent episodes for free on its website and mobile apps — as well as full seasons to subscribers of participating pay TV providers. In addition, the Peacock will offer the entire season of freshman comedy The Good Place for free, without requiring pay TV authentication; it’s the only freshman show NBC owns full rights to.
ABC and Warner Bros. TV Group have hammered out a template agreement granting the network full in-season stacking rights to all episodes of new series, settling an issue that has become increasingly contentious between networks and studios as both sides push to better monetize on-demand delayed viewing platforms.
