The Housewives are real, but Andy Cohen might not be.
On Thursday, at a Peacock product preview event at the 30 Rock offices, NBCUniversal executives demonstrated new features focusing on artificial intelligence and vertical video, designed to create and scale dynamic experiences on Peacock’s mobile app.
The spotlight of the event was Your Bravoverse, an AI‑powered vertical video experience. Launching in the summer, the experience features Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen as a video avatar tour guide, taking viewers through decades of Bravo content in a swipeable ecosystem of personalized playlists.
Cohen, who allowed his voice and likeness to be used, helps fans create personalized, AI-powered playlists featuring endless streams of clips from more than 5,000 hours of Bravo footage, including iconic scenes, connected storylines, and behind-the-scenes moments.
It’s NBCU’s latest foray into the world of AI hosts. The company previously used AI technology to create personalized Olympics experiences with a virtual Al Michaels.
Frances Berwick, chairman, Bravo & Peacock Unscripted, noted the power of fandom and personalization.
“Our viewers don’t simply watch our shows,” Berwick said. “They engage with them; they share them; they debate them; they become virtual friends with our talent. And most importantly, they’re incredibly loyal.”
She added that having the Bravoverse on Peacock allows them to meet existing fans wherever they are, introduce the brand to a new, younger audience, and strengthen engagement beyond linear.
During the product preview event, NBCU executives also showcased a new vertical video offering, live vertical videos, which will be deployed during live sporting events.
Launching in the spring in beta for NBA games, the live vertical videos will be powered by AI, providing real-time cropping of a full live broadcast in a 9:16 format on mobile.
“Follow it in real time, crop the video in real time, and then port it over so you can watch it on your phone,” said Matt Strauss, chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group. He added that live vertical video is part of the media conglomerate’s DNA, which is “a heavy focus on live, timely programming and meeting the consumer where they are.”
