What Peacock is and who owns it

Peacock is a streaming service owned and operated by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast. It streams television shows, films, sports, and news content — most of it from NBC's own networks and libraries, along with licensed content from other studios. You watch through an app on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device.

Peacock launched in April 2020 as a direct competitor to Netflix, Disney+, and other subscription services. NBCUniversal uses it to distribute both current NBC programming (like The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live) and older content from its archives, which span decades of television and film production.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock offers a free tier with ads and two paid tiers without ads, costing $5.99 or $11.99 per month depending on which you choose.
  • The free tier includes a rotating selection of shows and films, while paid tiers unlock the full library and same-day access to new NBC episodes.
  • Peacock is included free with certain Comcast internet and TV packages, so check your bill before paying separately.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and most connected TV devices, though the number of simultaneous streams varies by tier.
  • Peacock does not offer a trial period, so you pay from day one if you choose a paid tier.

The three pricing tiers and what each includes

Peacock has three tiers: Peacock Free, Peacock Premium, and Peacock Premium Plus. The free tier costs nothing but includes advertisements during playback. Premium costs $5.99 per month and removes most ads (though some shows still carry ads at the start and end). Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month and removes ads entirely.

The free tier gives you access to a limited rotating library — roughly 7,500 hours of content, though the exact titles change. You get older episodes of some NBC shows, films, and clips, but not current-season episodes or the full back catalog. Premium and Premium Plus both unlock the complete Peacock library, which includes current NBC episodes the day after they air, sports events, and films not available on the free tier.

All three tiers let you create up to six user profiles on a single account. The free tier allows one simultaneous stream at a time. Premium allows two simultaneous streams. Premium Plus allows four simultaneous streams, meaning four people can watch different content at the same time on the same account.

How to check if Peacock is already included with your internet or TV service

If you subscribe to Comcast Xfinity internet or TV service, Peacock Premium may already be included at no extra cost. The inclusion depends on which package you have — some packages include Premium, others include Premium Plus, and some include nothing. The fastest way to find out is to log into your Comcast account online or call Comcast customer service and ask which Peacock tier, if any, comes with your plan.

If Peacock is included, you can link your Comcast login to your Peacock account and watch without paying separately. If it is not included, you can still buy a Peacock subscription on your own, but you would be paying twice if you later add it to a Comcast package that includes it.

Devices you can watch on and streaming quality

Peacock works on most major devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, computers running Windows or Mac, Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Xbox and PlayStation consoles. You read the Peacock app from your device's app store, sign in, and start watching.

Streaming quality depends on your internet speed and the device. Peacock streams up to 4K resolution on supported devices, but most content is available in 1080p or 720p. The app automatically adjusts quality based on your connection speed. If you have a slow internet connection, video may buffer or play at lower resolution.

The number of devices you can watch on simultaneously is limited by your tier: one stream on Free, two on Premium, and four on Premium Plus. If you try to start a fourth stream on Premium, Peacock will stop one of the others.

What content Peacock has and what it does not

Peacock's library is strongest in NBC television: current and past seasons of shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Saturday Night Live. It also carries sports, including Premier League soccer, WWE wrestling, and some NFL games. News content includes Today, Meet the Press, and MSNBC programming.

Films come from NBCUniversal's catalog and licensed content, but the selection is smaller than Netflix or Disney+. Peacock does not have Marvel films (those are on Disney+), most Star Wars content (also Disney), or HBO content (which is on Max). The library changes monthly as licensing agreements expire and new deals are made.

Peacock also produces original series and films made specifically for the platform, though the volume is smaller than Netflix or Disney+. These originals are marked as "Peacock Originals" in the app.

How to cancel and what happens to your account

You can cancel a Peacock subscription at any time through the app or the Peacock website. Log into your account, go to Account Settings, find the Subscription section, and select Cancel Subscription. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you lose access to paid content right away. There is no refund for the current billing period.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can do so without penalty. Your watchlist, viewing history, and user profiles remain saved for 12 months after cancellation, so you can pick up where you left off if you return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Peacock password with family members who live in a different house?

Peacock's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. However, the app does not actively prevent password sharing. If you share your password with someone outside your home, you risk account suspension or termination if Peacock detects the violation.

Does Peacock have a free trial?

No. Peacock does not offer a trial period for Premium or Premium Plus. You can use the free tier indefinitely to see what content is available, but if you want to upgrade to a paid tier, you pay from the first day.

Can I read shows to watch offline?

Yes, but only on the Peacock mobile app for phones and tablets. You can read episodes and films to watch without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after 30 days or when your subscription ends, whichever comes first. The desktop and TV apps do not support downloads.

What happens if I have Peacock through Comcast and also buy a separate subscription?

You would have two separate accounts and be charged for both. Comcast and Peacock do not automatically merge accounts or refund the duplicate charge. If this happens, contact Peacock support to see if they can consolidate your accounts or issue a credit.

Is Peacock available outside the United States?

Peacock is primarily available in the United States. Some content may be available in other countries through different services or partnerships, but the Peacock app and subscription are not sold internationally. If you travel outside the US, you may not be able to stream.