NBC Sports Bay Area launches on Peacock subscription service

Bay Area sports fans now have a new way to watch their favorite teams. Starting Tuesday, NBC Universal is offering its regional sports networks on the streaming service Peacock. This will be available for an additional fee. Subscribers in the Bay Area can watch games for the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and San Jose Sharks. Two channels, NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California, will be available for $17.95 each month. This fee is added to the Peacock Premium subscription, which costs $7.99 a month, or the ad-free option at $13.99. A spokesperson confirmed that the games accessible through Peacock will match what’s currently available on TV. However, Sacramento Kings games will not be part of the offerings for NBC Sports California subscribers in the Bay Area. Fans can still watch the A's and Sharks games. The add-on service will provide a 24/7 channel on Peacock. It will include various local sports events and shows related to the San Francisco 49ers. Fans can also watch games that are aired simultaneously on "plus" channels. While this new option is cheaper than services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, it has fewer channels. Notably, NBC's regional sports networks are not available on Sling. Fans should be aware of potential blackouts for nationally televised games. Additionally, the release did not mention whether viewers could replay games, an important feature for those who rely on DVR. This change comes after NBC recently moved its Northern California offerings to a higher tier for TV subscribers, aiming to save costs for those not wanting sports fees.