Peacock’s Super Bowl Launch of ‘The Burbs’ Is Paying Off Handsomely

Hollywood Reporter

by Rick Porter

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Peacock’s new series *The Burbs*, a reimagining of the 1989 Tom Hanks film, has made history with its record-breaking launch. In just nine days, the show garnered an impressive 712 million minutes of viewing time, placing it among the most successful scripted series debuts on Peacock to date. The eight-episode season also saw viewership inching closer to 1 billion minutes, a testament to its massive appeal. The series’ success can be attributed in part to its strategic release during Super Bowl weekend. Launched alongside NBC’s broadcast of the event, *The Burbs* benefited from extensive promotion across NBCUniversal’s platforms, including Telemundo and coverage during the Winter Olympics. This cross-promotional push exposed the show to a vast audience, with 125 million viewers seeing its trailers during the Super Bowl weekend. Featuring an all-star cast, including Keke Palmer, Paula Pell, and Mark Proksch, *The Burbs* has resonated with audiences since its Feb. 8 premiere. The series is produced by Universal Studio Group’s UCP and boasts a talented creative team, with Celeste Hughes serving as creator and executive producer alongside Rachel Shukert and others. While *The Best Man: The Final Chapters* still holds the record for Peacock’s highest first-week viewership at 762 million minutes, *The Burbs* is fast becoming a standout in the streamer’s lineup. This success underscores Peacock’s growing influence in the entertainment landscape. By leveraging major events like the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics to promote its original content, Peacock has not only boosted viewership for its shows but also solidified its position as a competitive player in the streaming wars. *The Burbs*’ performance highlights how strategic partnerships and timely releases can drive significant audience engagement, setting a new benchmark for future series launches on Peacock. For entertainment enthusiasts, this story underscores the importance of

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/20/2026