Peacock’s Fresh Moves: Mini-Games and Vertical Videos
In a bid to catch up with giants like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube, Peacock is rolling out two innovative features: mini-games and short-form vertical video feeds. These initiatives were showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Starting this month, Peacock will test these new features on its iOS and Android apps, aiming for a broader release later this spring.
During the testing phase, some users might experience both the games and video playlists, while others might only see one or none. This strategy reflects Peacock’s efforts to boost its subscriber base, which currently stands at 36 million—quite low compared to Netflix’s staggering 282.72 million subscribers.
- Gaming Initiative: Since 2021, Peacock has been venturing into gaming, following Netflix’s release of over 120 games. Platforms like YouTube and Sling TV have also joined this trend with free gaming offers.
- Peacock’s Gaming Roster: The platform is testing five games: Daily Sort, Daily Swap, Predictions, What The, and Venn. These games are inspired by popular TV shows and sports programming to enhance viewer engagement.
- Vertical Video Playlists: This feature includes curated short clips from Peacock’s library—TV shows, movies, sports, and news. Clips are updated daily and weekly, offering exclusive content on the app.
“Linking games to popular IP is a smart move as it attracts players interested in those titles,” a company spokesperson explained. For instance, in Venn, players sort items based on themes related to shows like “Below Deck.”
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The Predictions game allows users to forecast show outcomes or sporting events and return later to check their accuracy. Meanwhile, the vertical video playlists cater to viewers’ need for quick entertainment—a strategy that could gain traction if a potential TikTok ban takes effect.
This approach mirrors Tubi’s recent embrace of short-form video with its “Scenes” feature—a move that aligns with evolving viewer preferences in the digital age.
