By Jose Alejandro Bastidas

Peacock is betting big on the Sept. 4 release of “The Paper,” an ambitious spinoff of “The Office” it hopes can become as big a streaming hit as its predecessor — one that could give the platform a clearer path forward for its scripted programming.

Since launching in 2020, Peacock has relied heavily on NBC and Bravo programming and invested in sports to differentiate itself in the streaming market. It’s also gained visibility with unscripted hits like “The Traitors” — last year’s Emmy winner for best reality competition series and a frontrunner again this year — and “Love Island USA,” which reached the top of the Nielsen streaming charts with Season 7 this summer.