NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

Rhea-AI Summary

Dolby Laboratories (NASDAQ:DLB) and NBCUniversal announced that Peacock will be the first streaming service to adopt Dolby's full suite of advanced picture and sound technologies, including Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4, with expanded Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for live sports during 2026.

Peacock plans to onboard live sports such as Sunday Night Football, NBA, and MLB into Dolby Vision and Atmos experiences, while Dolby AC-4 promises up to 50% greater audio efficiency versus traditional codecs.

Positive

• Peacock to support Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4
• Dolby AC-4 offers up to 50% greater audio efficiency
• Live sports (Sunday Night Football, NBA, MLB) to adopt Dolby Vision/Atmos in 2026

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Launch year expansion 2026 Peacock expands Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos across live sports throughout 2026

Dolby Vision 2 unveiling IFA 2025 Next-generation Dolby Vision 2 was unveiled at IFA 2025

Audio efficiency gain 50% greater efficiency Dolby AC-4 delivers up to 50% greater efficiency than traditional codecs

Market Reality Check

$63.62 Last Close

Volume Volume 642,510 is modestly elevated at 1.06x the 20-day average 603,504. normal

Technical Price at $63.84 is below the 200-day MA of $72.11 and close to the 52-week low of $63.23.

Peers on Argus

Peers like MMS (+3.34%) and UNF (+2.85%) showed stronger gains, but no peers appeared in the momentum scanner and there were no same-day peer headlines, suggesting the Peacock/Dolby news was more stock-specific than a broad sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 18	Theatrical tech rollout	Positive	-0.6%	First U.S. exhibitor adopting combined Dolby Vision+Atmos auditorium solution.
Dec 17	Product partnership	Positive	-0.6%	LG Sound Suite launch featuring first Atmos FlexConnect-powered soundbar system.
Dec 03	Retail experience launch	Positive	-0.0%	First Dolby Home Experience hub at Nebraska Furniture Mart showcasing tech demos.
Nov 19	Event partnership	Positive	+0.1%	Super Bowl LX partnership to showcase Dolby Vision, Atmos and OptiView experiences.
Nov 18	Earnings results	Positive	+0.6%	Q4 and FY25 results with FY26 revenue and non-GAAP EPS guidance and capital returns.

Pattern Detected

Recent partnership and experience-focused announcements have generally been positive, but three of five such news events saw mildly negative next-day moves, indicating occasional sell-the-news or muted reactions to positive commercial updates.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Dolby reported solid FY25 results with $1.35B in revenue and FY26 non-GAAP EPS guidance of $4.19–$4.34, alongside dividends and buybacks. Operationally, it expanded Dolby Vision and Atmos across theaters, retail experiences, and major events such as Super Bowl LX. Several news items highlighted first-of-their-kind deployments of Dolby technologies. Today’s Peacock integration continues this pattern of broadening Dolby’s ecosystem across premium home and live-sports viewing environments.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlighted a deeper integration of Dolby technologies into Peacock, including upcoming support for Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4 and broader use of Dolby Vision and Atmos across live sports in 2026. It followed several recent ecosystem partnerships in theaters, retail, and major events. Investors may watch how such deals translate into licensing growth, adoption of next-generation formats, and continuity with the financial trajectory outlined in Dolby’s recent FY25 results and FY26 guidance.

Key Terms

codec technical

"Dolby AC-4 is Dolby's most advanced and efficient audio codec to date"

A codec is software or hardware that compresses and decompresses digital audio, video, or other data so it can be stored and transmitted more efficiently. Think of it as a specialized packing and unpacking system that makes files smaller for transport and restores them for playback; the choice of codec affects quality, speed, device compatibility, and licensing costs, so its use can influence product performance, distribution expenses, and potential revenue for investors.

bandwidth technical

"while using a fraction of the bandwidth of traditional codecs"

Bandwidth is the amount of capacity—whether people's time and attention, operational resources, or technical network capability—available to handle tasks or growth. Investors care because limited bandwidth can slow execution of strategies, delay product development, or create bottlenecks that affect revenue and costs; thinking of it like the width of a pipe helps: a narrow pipe restricts flow, while a wider one allows more activity to pass through smoothly.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

With Forthcoming Adoption of Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4, Plus Expansion of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Across Live Sports, Peacock Is the Premier Destination for Streaming in Dolby

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dolby Laboratories, a leader in immersive entertainment experiences, and NBCUniversal announced that Peacock will be the first streaming platform to embrace Dolby's full suite of advanced picture and sound innovations. This first-of-its-kind technology integration marks a major milestone in streaming entertainment, bringing Dolby's unmatched combination of sight and sound innovation to Peacock's wide-ranging portfolio of blockbuster movies, acclaimed originals, and marquee live sports and events.

Continuing its commitment to delivering the best possible fan experience, Peacock is extending the availability of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos across live sports over the coming year. Peacock is also the first streamer to announce its commitment to support Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4, anticipated to launch later this year.

"Peacock is raising the bar for what streaming entertainment can be with Dolby," said John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories. "This partnership reflects our vision to push the boundaries of live sports and entertainment, delivering experiences that truly stand apart. With Dolby, Peacock stands as the premier destination for viewers who expect nothing less than exceptional entertainment at home."

"We deliver the most compelling content with the highest quality experience and unparalleled reliability on Peacock," said David Bohunek, Senior Vice President of Global Video Engineering at NBCUniversal. "Our partnership with Dolby ensures that whether our subscribers are streaming a thrilling playoff game, the latest Universal blockbuster, or a critically acclaimed Peacock Original, they're experiencing it exactly as creators intended – with breathtaking picture and immersive sound that brings every moment to life." 

Already available for a growing number of titles, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos create a more immersive experience for fans with stunning visuals and cinematic sound. Throughout 2026, Peacock will be onboarding more live sports into Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos experiences, including Sunday Night Football, NBA, and MLB, making every play feel as vivid and thrilling as being on the 50-yard line, courtside, or sitting behind home plate.

As Peacock delivers on its mission as the ultimate fan-first entertainment destination, it is also preparing to adopt the next generation of Dolby innovation. Unveiled at IFA 2025, Dolby Vision 2 is Dolby's groundbreaking evolution of its industry-leading picture quality innovation for televisions. Building on the success of Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision 2 is designed to meet the evolving expectations of today's viewers and unlock the most out of your television. From helping solve the debate on whether the picture is "too dark" to delivering a more cinematic experience without distracting judder or soap opera effects, Dolby Vision 2 delivers a more authentic, captivating picture – without compromise.

Built on decades of Dolby audio leadership, Dolby AC-4 is Dolby's most advanced and efficient audio codec to date, delivering crystal-clear sound with up to 50% greater efficiency than traditional codecs. Dolby AC-4 offers new personalization and dialog enhancement features and unlocks the highest audio fidelity possible while using a fraction of the bandwidth of traditional codecs.

Love Sports, Movies, and TV more in Dolby
There's nothing like an experience in Dolby. With Dolby Vision, colors burn brighter, details look crisper, and contrast runs deeper, so you will never miss the emotion in a pivotal scene or the intensity of a game-changing play. With Dolby Atmos, sound moves above and all around you, putting you at the heart of the story and the height of the action, making every explosion more intense, every game day more thrilling, and every moment more memorable. From the most intimate and emotional moments to the biggest, loudest plays, Dolby brings you closer to the stories and moments you love.

About Dolby:
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is a world leader in immersive entertainment. From movies and TV, to music, sports, gaming, and beyond, Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences for billions of people worldwide across all their favorite devices. We partner with artists, storytellers, and the brands you love to transform entertainment and digital experiences through groundbreaking innovations like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema, and Dolby OptiView.

About Peacock
Peacock is the streaming home of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Fans can stream thousands of hours of culture-defining entertainment, sports and news, including current seasons of NBC and Bravo series, such as the "Law & Order" and "Real Housewives" franchises; exclusive and critically acclaimed Originals; blockbuster and award-winning recent films from Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and Focus Features; America's premier live sports and events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the NFL, Premier League and the NBA; live daily news; and an expansive library of beloved films and TV shows, including "The Office" and 50 years of "Saturday Night Live" episodes. Built on powerful technology, Peacock is an engaging entertainment destination with interactive, innovative features that bring NBCUniversal's fan-favorite content to life at home and on the go. Visit PeacockTV.com to learn more. 

Media Contacts:

Dolby
Cairon "Jamie" Armstrong
Cairon.Armstrong@dolby.com

NBCUniversal
Bernadette Simpao
bernadette.simpao@nbcuni.com

Taylor Patterson
taylor.patterson@nbcuni.com 

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SOURCE Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

FAQ

What did NBCUniversal announce about Peacock and Dolby on January 6, 2026 (DLB)?

Peacock will be the first streamer to adopt Dolby's full suite, including Dolby Vision 2, Dolby AC-4, and expanded Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for live sports in 2026.

Which live sports will Peacock add Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to in 2026 (DLB)?

Peacock plans to onboard Sunday Night Football, NBA, and MLB into Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos experiences during 2026.

What is Dolby AC-4 and why does it matter for Peacock viewers (DLB)?

Dolby AC-4 is Dolby's latest audio codec offering up to 50% greater efficiency than traditional codecs plus personalization and dialog enhancement features.

What is Dolby Vision 2 and when will Peacock support it (DLB)?

Dolby Vision 2 is the next-generation picture technology unveiled in 2025; Peacock said it will support Dolby Vision 2 when it launches later in the year.

How will Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos improve Peacock's streaming experience (DLB)?

Dolby Vision increases color, detail, and contrast, while Dolby Atmos delivers immersive overhead and surround sound to make movies and live sports more vivid.

Does the announcement change Peacock's content availability or creators' intent (DLB)?

The announcement says Peacock will extend Dolby experiences across its portfolio so viewers will see and hear eligible titles and live events as creators intended.