Peacock Select is Peacock's ad-supported streaming plan

Peacock Select is the entry-level subscription tier for Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service. It costs $5.99 per month and includes access to a library of TV shows, movies, sports, and news — but with advertisements playing during your viewing. You can watch on one screen at a time, and the video quality maxes out at 720p resolution.

Peacock also offers a free tier (with more ads and fewer titles) and Peacock Premium (ad-free or with fewer ads, depending on the plan you choose). Select sits between those two: more content than free, but cheaper than Premium and with ads included.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock Select costs $5.99 per month and includes ads throughout shows and movies.
  • You can stream on one device at a time, and video quality is limited to 720p rather than 4K.
  • Select includes most of Peacock's library — NBC shows, movies, sports events, and news — but some premium content requires Premium or Premium Plus.
  • You can pause, resume, and rewatch titles, and you get a personal watchlist to save shows you want to see later.
  • Peacock Select is available on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV.

What content you can watch with Select

Peacock Select gives you access to the majority of Peacock's catalog. This includes current and past seasons of NBC shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Saturday Night Live. You also get movies, reality TV, documentaries, and news programming from NBC News.

Sports content on Select includes some live events — Premier League soccer matches, select WWE programming, and some golf tournaments — though the most premium live sports events (like certain playoff games) may require Premium or Premium Plus. Peacock also rotates content, so what is available changes over time.

Some titles are marked as "Premium" or "Premium Plus" only, meaning you cannot watch them with Select. If you try to play one, Peacock will tell you that you need to upgrade. You can see which tier a show or movie requires before you click on it.

How ads work on Select

Ads play before, during, and after shows and movies on Peacock Select. The number and length of ad breaks varies by title — some shows have more interruptions than others. You cannot skip ads, and you cannot fast-forward through them.

Peacock does not let you read titles to watch offline on Select. You must stream everything, which means you need an internet connection to watch. If you want to read shows or watch without ads, you would need to upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus.

Streaming limits and video quality

Peacock Select lets you stream on one screen at a time. If you start watching on your phone and then try to watch on your TV at the same time, the stream on your phone will stop. This is different from Premium and Premium Plus, which allow multiple simultaneous streams.

Video quality on Select tops out at 720p, which is standard definition. Premium and Premium Plus offer 4K resolution on compatible devices. For most phones and tablets, 720p looks fine, but on a large TV screen you may notice the difference compared to higher resolutions.

How to sign up for Peacock Select

Go to peacocktv.com or open the Peacock app on your device. Click "Sign Up" or "Create Account." Enter your email address and create a password. Peacock will ask for a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.

Select Peacock Select as your plan, review the $5.99 monthly charge, and confirm. Your subscription starts when ready, and you can begin watching right away. You will be charged every month on the same date until you cancel.

If you have a cable or internet provider that includes Peacock (like Comcast Xfinity), you may be able to sign in with your provider credentials instead and get Select or Premium included at no extra cost. Check your provider's website or call their customer service to see what is included with your account.

Canceling or changing your plan

You can cancel Peacock Select anytime through your account settings. Log in to peacocktv.com, go to your account menu, find "Subscription," and select "Cancel Subscription." Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle — you will not be charged again, but you can still watch until that date passes.

If you want to upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus instead of canceling, you can change your plan in the same account menu. The price difference will be prorated based on how much of your current billing cycle remains. You can also downgrade from Premium back to Select if you want to save money.

Devices and where you can watch

Peacock Select works on phones and tablets (iPhone, iPad, Android), computers (Mac and Windows), smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Roku TV, and others), and streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast). You can also watch on web browsers at peacocktv.com.

To watch on a device, read the Peacock app or go to the website, sign in with your email and password, and start playing a title. Your watchlist and viewing history sync across devices, so you can start watching on your phone and pick up where you left off on your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Peacock Select account with family members?

Peacock Select allows one stream at a time, so only one person can watch at a time. If multiple people in your household want to watch simultaneously, you would need to upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus, which allow multiple streams. Peacock does not officially support account sharing across different households.

What is the difference between Peacock Select and Peacock Premium?

Select costs $5.99 per month with ads, one stream at a time, and 720p video. Premium costs $11.99 per month and removes most ads (some shows still have ads), allows up to four simultaneous streams, and offers 4K video. Premium Plus is $19.99 per month and is completely ad-free with the same streaming limits as Premium.

Do I need a cable subscription to use Peacock Select?

No. Peacock Select is a standalone subscription you can buy directly from Peacock for $5.99 per month. You do not need cable or any other service. However, if you already have cable or internet through certain providers, your plan may include Peacock at no extra cost — check with your provider.

Can I watch Peacock Select on my smart TV?

Yes. read the Peacock app from your smart TV's app store (Samsung, LG, Roku TV, etc.) or use a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. Sign in with your email and password, and you can watch Select content on your TV screen.

What happens if I pause a show and come back later?

Peacock remembers where you stopped. When you open the show again on any device, you can resume from that point. Your watchlist and viewing history are saved to your account and sync across all your devices.