NBCUniversal has announced that Peacock will become the first entertainment streaming platform to offer AI-enabled vertical video for live sports broadcasts, beginning with NBA games this spring. The feature will use artificial intelligence to crop live events in real-time for a 9:16 mobile format, launching initially in beta. According to the company, the vertical video feed will draw from the main live broadcast produced by NBC Sports.
The AI-powered vertical video for live NBA games will be accessible through Courtside Live, a mobile feature that debuted during the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. This functionality allows viewers to navigate between multiple camera angles alongside the primary broadcast feed. Peacock first introduced vertical video clips across all content genres in early 2025.
Growth in Mobile Engagement Drives Vertical Video Expansion
The decision to expand vertical video comes after initial success with shorter-form content in the format. Since launching vertical video clips earlier this year, Peacock has seen increased mobile watch frequency and user sessions, with the clips helping drive content discovery across the platform. The company’s data demonstrates clear viewer preference for mobile-optimized formats.
During the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, 20% of viewers who watched a vertical highlight clip tapped directly into the live event, according to NBCUniversal. Additionally, Peacock rolled out mobile Multiview during the Winter Games and found that mobile users were twice as likely to use the feature compared to viewers watching on television. These metrics indicate strong demand for flexible viewing options on smartphones.
Additional AI Features Coming to Peacock
Beyond live sports, Peacock is integrating AI-enabled vertical video across its mobile experience. This summer, the streaming service will add a dedicated vertical video section to the bottom navigation bar of its mobile app. Downloads will continue to be available through individual user profiles.
Meanwhile, Peacock announced Your Bravoverse, an AI-powered personalized video experience launching this summer. The feature draws from more than 5,000 hours of Bravo footage and allows users to select their preferred shows and moments to receive a customized playlist. An AI-generated avatar of Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen, created using Synthesia’s technology, will serve as a guide through the content.
A team of NBCUniversal editors will review playlists for quality and accuracy before they are delivered to users. Your Bravoverse will be previewed at the “Play with Peacock” pop-up event at SXSW on March 15, giving attendees an early look at the personalized viewing experience.
Mobile Gaming Expansion
In addition to video features, Peacock is expanding its mobile gaming offerings. The platform will launch two mobile games from Wolf Games this spring and summer: Law & Order: Clue Hunter, a hidden object mystery game, and Public Eye, an original narrative mystery game. These titles will join existing mobile experiences including Wheel of Fortune TODAY and prediction games across NBCU sports and reality competition franchises.
A Jeopardy! mini-game will also debut this spring, offering daily trivia rounds, streak challenges and shareable results. However, specific release dates for these gaming experiences have not been confirmed by the company.
The beta launch of AI-enabled vertical video for live NBA games is expected to roll out sometime this spring, though NBCUniversal has not announced a specific date. The broader vertical video section and Your Bravoverse feature are slated for summer 2025, with further details likely to emerge as the launch window approaches.
