Netflix is reportedly exploring themed live TV-style channels and bundling other streaming services, including Peacock, into its own offering, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by The Wrap. Both ideas are at the discussion stage, so nothing changes for subscribers yet.
- The proposed live channels would run always-on, genre-based streams — all comedies or all action films — mimicking the linear TV model Netflix originally disrupted.
- The exploration follows viewership declines in the second seasons of big series including The Four Seasons, Avatar: The Last Airbender, One Piece and Beef.
- Nothing has been announced for the UAE; existing Netflix plans, live events and on-demand viewing continue as normal.
Netflix built its empire by convincing the world it no longer needed channels. Now, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by The Wrap, the streamer’s executives have been discussing bringing them back — in spirit, at least — alongside the idea of bundling rival services such as Peacock into its own subscription.
What Netflix is reportedly considering
The first idea is themed live channels: always-on streams built around a genre, so you could drop into a channel showing nothing but comedies or action films rather than scrolling the endless on-demand grid. It would effectively recreate the linear TV experience Netflix spent 15 years dismantling, aimed squarely at viewers who just want to put something on.
The second idea is bundling. Executives have reportedly discussed folding other streaming subscriptions — Peacock was named — into Netflix’s service, following the add-on playbook Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ already run, where you subscribe to extra services inside one app and pay one bill.
Neither concept is a confirmed product. These are internal discussions, and there is no launch window, pricing or feature announcement to point to.
Why Netflix is looking beyond on-demand
The timing is not a coincidence. Several of Netflix’s biggest series have seen their audiences shrink in their second seasons, including The Four Seasons, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Running Point, One Piece and Beef. When your marquee shows lose viewers between instalments, you start looking for ways to keep people inside the app between big releases — and a live channel humming away in the background does exactly that.
Netflix has also seen genuine wins outside traditional series. The Roast of Kevin Hart topped its TV chart with 13.5 million views and ranked as the No. 1 title across all of streaming for its week, per Nielsen. Creator-led content has delivered too: kids’ phenomenon Ms. Rachel drew 53.4 million views in the first half of 2025, making it Netflix’s seventh most-watched series in that period. Add the cheaper ad-supported tier from 2022, live WWE events and video podcasts, and the pattern is clear — Netflix keeps bolting new formats onto the service whenever engagement wobbles, and live channels would be the next bolt.
FAQ
Is Netflix launching live TV channels?
Not yet. According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by The Wrap, Netflix executives have discussed themed live channels that would stream genre-based content around the clock, but the idea is at the discussion stage and has not been confirmed as a product.
Will Netflix bundle Peacock into its subscription?
Netflix has reportedly explored bundling other streaming services, including Peacock, into its offering — similar to the channels strategy used by Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. No bundle has been announced, and no pricing or availability details exist.
Does anything change for Netflix subscribers in the UAE?
No. Netflix in the UAE continues as a standard on-demand service, with live events such as WWE and comedy specials included on all plans. No live channels or bundles have been announced for the region.
Why is Netflix considering these changes?
The report ties the exploration to engagement declines on second seasons of major series, including The Four Seasons, Avatar: The Last Airbender, One Piece and Beef. Netflix is looking for formats that keep viewers in the app between big releases, and live programming and creator content have already delivered strong numbers.