Peacock has its first breakout hit of 2026.
The Keke Palmer-led dark comedy The ‘Burbs’ has generated nearly 1 billion viewing minutes in just 11 days, marking the strongest premiere launch for any new streaming original series this year based on Day 1 minutes viewed, according to Nielsen data cited by NBCUniversal.
The series, which debuted February 8 immediately following Super Bowl LX, delivered the biggest premiere day ever for a Peacock original and the best Day 1 launch of any new streaming series in 2026 so far. All eight episodes dropped at once on the platform, giving viewers an instant binge option as Peacock capitalized on the massive audience flowing from the big game.
During its first full week of availability (February 9–16), The ‘Burbs’ ranked as the No. 2 most-watched streaming original series, per NBCUniversal. Nielsen’s full public report will be released in the coming weeks, offering broader ecosystem comparisons, but early indicators position the show as one of the year’s early streaming standouts.
The momentum extends beyond viewing minutes. Within its first nine days, the suburban horror comedy became the No. 1 Peacock original season of all time in terms of overall reach. Social engagement has also surged, with content tied to the series generating more than 32 million video views across Peacock’s accounts. Internationally, the series has already been sold into more than 100 territories.
A Strategic Post-Super Bowl Bet
Rather than airing the premiere on NBC — as networks have historically done with post-Super Bowl launches — NBCUniversal opted to funnel audiences directly to Peacock. The strategy was part of what the company branded “Legendary February,” which also included the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game streaming on the platform.
The gamble paid off. February 8 became Peacock’s best day ever in terms of both reach and total hours streamed. The sports-driven surge appears to have meaningfully amplified The ‘Burbs’ launch, positioning it as a flagship example of NBCUniversal’s broader streaming-first strategy.
Inside ‘The ‘Burbs’
Inspired by the 1989 horror-comedy film of the same name, The ‘Burbs’ reimagines the cult classic for modern suburbia. The series follows a young couple who reluctantly relocate to the husband’s childhood home, only for their quiet cul-de-sac to unravel when a mysterious new neighbor arrives. Long-buried secrets resurface, and the illusion of suburban normalcy begins to fracture in increasingly dangerous ways.
The ensemble cast includes Keke Palmer, Jack Whitehall, Julia Duffy, Paula Pell, Mark Proksch, Kapil Talwalkar, Kyrie McAlpin and Justin Kirk.
The series was created, written and executive produced by Celeste Hughey. Palmer also serves as an executive producer alongside Seth MacFarlane, Brian Grazer and others. The show hails from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, with Nzingha Stewart directing and executive producing.
A Breakout Moment for Peacock — and Palmer
For Peacock, The ‘Burbs’ signals a rare confluence of sports programming leverage and original scripted momentum. For Palmer, who continues expanding her portfolio both in front of and behind the camera, the series adds another high-profile win as she balances starring and executive producing duties.
With nearly 1 billion minutes already logged and strong social traction, The ‘Burbs’ is shaping up to be more than a well-timed launch. It may represent a blueprint for how streamers maximize tentpole events to drive sustained engagement — and how genre-bending, star-driven series can cut through an increasingly crowded field.