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ERROR: type should be string, got "https://www.barrons.com/articles/nbc-streaming-service-51547503791\nReal Time Analysis\nHow NBC’s New Streaming Service Stacks Up Against the Competition\nNicholas Jasinski\nJan. 14, 2019 5:16 pm ET\nPhotograph by David McNew/Getty Images\nNBCUniversal is the latest legacy TV provider to throw its hat into the direct-to-consumer streaming ring. On Monday, the Comcast (CMCSA) subsidiary announced a new ad-supported streaming service it plans to launch early next year.\nSimilar to Hulu—which is 30% owned by Comcast—the service will reportedly consist of multiple tiers, including ad-supported and ad-free versions. NBCUniversal says the new service will be available to all existing NBC pay-TV subscribers for no additional cost. But the real change is a new option for non pay-TV subscribers, the increasingly common cord-cutter. That group will be able to pay $12 a month for access to the new service, according to a CNBC report. An additional fee is required to remove ads.\nThe to-be-named service will include original content from NBCUniversal’s library, which includes shows from NBC, USA Network, and SYFY, as well as movies from the Universal and DreamWorks film studios. The service will also include content from outside partners, and “NBCUniversal will continue to license content to other studios and platforms, while retaining rights to certain titles for its new service,” according to Monday’s announcement. It will also offer live news and sports programming, NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke told CNBC.\nNBCUniversal’s existing streaming offerings allow cable subscribers to access live and library content from NBC, USA Network, and other channels in separate apps or web sites—the planned service will combine that and more.\nIt joins a crowded field: There are already over 100 streaming channels and services available, with several others on the way. That includes Walt Disney ’s (DIS) Disney+ streaming service coming this year and a rumored Apple (AAPL) service. Fresh off its Time Warner acquisition, AT&T (T) is planning new launches as well.\nNBCUniversal’s service straddles the current world of streaming. Like Netflix (NFLX) or Amazon ’s (AMZN) Prime Video, it will offer video on demand. Like CBS ’ (CBS) CBS All Access or Alphabet ’s (GOOGL) YouTube TV, it will include live streams of some of NBCUniversal’s channels. Like HBO Go or WatchESPN, subscribers of participating pay television providers will be able to log in with their cable accounts.\nBut for $12 a month with ads for non-cable subscribers, NBCUniversal could face a tough sell. Hulu with ads, which includes a ton of NBC content already, costs just $8 a month. Netflix, with a much bigger library and no ads, costs from $8 to $14 a month. AT&T Watch TV includes 37 live channels for $15 a month, or free with some AT&T phone plans.\nHere’s a breakdown of the current streaming world, as highlighted in a recent Barron’s cover story about Disney.\nField of Streams\nThe over-the-top, or streaming, market can be divided into two broad types of services: those that provide recorded video on demand and those that offer live TV.\nSource: J.P. Morgan\nWrite to Nicholas Jasinski at nicholas.jasinski@barrons.com\nNBCUniversal is the latest legacy TV provider to throw its hat into the direct-to-consumer streaming ring."