Peacock offers three subscription tiers with different price points and ad loads
Peacock has a free tier with ads, a mid-tier plan called Peacock Premium, and a higher tier called Peacock Premium Plus. The free version costs nothing but shows advertisements. Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month and includes ads on most content. Peacock Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month and removes most ads, though a small number of shows still display them even on the paid tier.
These prices are current as of 2024, but streaming services change their rates periodically. Peacock occasionally offers promotional rates for new subscribers — typically a discounted first month or a free trial period — though these offers vary by when you sign up and what device you use.
You can also bundle Peacock with other NBCUniversal services. Comcast customers who have an internet or TV package may receive Peacock Premium at no extra cost as part of their existing service. Some Comcast packages include Peacock Premium Plus instead.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month and includes advertisements on most shows and movies.
- Peacock Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month and removes ads from nearly all content, though some programs still show them.
- The free tier with ads costs nothing but limits which shows you can watch and when you can watch them.
- Comcast internet or TV customers may receive Peacock Premium or Premium Plus included in their existing bill at no additional charge.
- Promotional offers like discounted first months appear regularly but change based on timing and your device.
What the free tier includes and what it limits
The free Peacock tier lets you watch a selection of NBC shows, movies, and sports events without paying. The free version displays advertisements throughout playback. You can create an account and start watching when ready without entering a payment method.
The free tier has significant restrictions. Peacock limits which episodes of shows are available — often only the most recent season or a subset of older seasons. Some movies and events are locked to paid tiers only. Peacock also restricts when you can watch live sports and breaking news; paid subscribers get earlier or exclusive access to certain events.
The free tier is useful for sampling the service or watching specific shows you know are available, but it is not the same as having access to Peacock's full library.
Peacock Premium versus Premium Plus: what changes with the higher tier
The main difference between Peacock Premium ($5.99) and Premium Plus ($11.99) is the number of advertisements you see. Premium includes ads on most content. Premium Plus removes ads from the vast majority of shows and movies, though Peacock notes that a small number of programs — typically live sports and certain licensed content — still display ads even on the Premium Plus tier.
Both paid tiers unlock the full Peacock library. You get access to all available seasons of shows, the complete movie catalog, and early or exclusive access to live events. The content available is identical between Premium and Premium Plus; only the ad experience differs.
Premium Plus also includes the ability to read episodes to watch offline on compatible devices. Premium does not include downloads. If you travel frequently or have inconsistent internet, the read feature may justify the $6 monthly difference.
How Comcast bundles affect your cost
Comcast offers Peacock as part of certain internet and TV packages. Customers with Comcast Xfinity internet or TV service may receive Peacock Premium at no additional cost. Some higher-tier Comcast packages include Peacock Premium Plus instead of Premium.
To find out what Peacock tier comes with your Comcast service, log into your Xfinity account online or call Comcast customer service. Your bill will show whether Peacock is included. If you do not have Comcast service, you cannot access this bundled option.
If you have Comcast but your package does not include Peacock, you can still purchase a subscription separately at the standard monthly rates.
Promotional pricing and trial periods
Peacock regularly offers limited-time discounts for new subscribers. These promotions have included a discounted first month (such as $0.99 for the first month of Premium) or a free trial period lasting one to three months. The specific offer depends on when you sign up and which device or platform you use to subscribe.
Promotional rates are advertised on Peacock's website and through email if you have created an account. You may also see different offers depending on whether you sign up through the Peacock app, a web browser, or a streaming device like Roku or Apple TV.
After a promotional period ends, your subscription automatically converts to the regular monthly price unless you cancel. Make a note of when your promotional period ends so you are not surprised by the full charge.
How to manage or cancel your subscription
You can change your subscription tier or cancel at any time through your Peacock account settings. Log into Peacock on the web or in the app, go to your account menu, and select the subscription or billing section. From there you can downgrade from Premium Plus to Premium, upgrade from Premium to Premium Plus, or cancel entirely.
Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your next billing date. You will not receive a refund for the remainder of the month.
If you subscribed through a third-party platform like Apple TV Channels or Amazon Prime Video Channels, you must cancel through that platform instead of through Peacock directly. Check your Apple or Amazon account settings to manage those subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Peacock on multiple devices with one subscription?
Yes. One Peacock account can stream on multiple devices, though Peacock limits how many streams can play at the same time. Premium allows simultaneous streams on two devices; Premium Plus allows up to four simultaneous streams. The free tier allows one stream at a time.
Do I have to pay for Peacock if I have cable TV?
Not necessarily. If your cable provider is Comcast Xfinity, check whether Peacock Premium or Premium Plus is included in your package. Other cable providers do not bundle Peacock, so you would need to pay separately. Contact your provider to confirm what is included in your service.
What happens if I downgrade from Premium Plus to Premium?
You keep your account and all your saved shows and watchlist. The downgrade takes effect on your next billing date. You will lose the ability to read episodes and will see ads on most content going forward, but you retain access to the full library.
Are there annual payment options instead of monthly?
Peacock does not currently offer annual subscription plans. You pay month to month for either Premium or Premium Plus. Some promotional offers may bundle multiple months at a discounted rate, but there is no standard annual option.