Peacock has three subscription tiers: a free ad-supported plan, a paid plan with ads, and a paid plan without ads

Peacock offers three ways to watch. The free tier shows you movies and TV shows with advertisements and has the smallest content library. The Peacock Premium plan costs $5.99 per month with ads included, or $11.99 per month without ads. A third option, Peacock Premium Plus, costs $19.99 per month and removes ads while adding the ability to read shows to watch offline.

These prices are current as of 2024, but Peacock has raised prices before and may do so again. The company also runs promotional offers — new subscribers sometimes see discounted rates for the first few months. If you have a cable or internet provider subscription (Comcast, Cox, or certain others), you may already have Peacock Premium included at no extra cost.

The main difference between plans is the number of ads you see and whether you can read content. The free plan and Premium plan with ads show commercials during playback. Premium without ads and Premium Plus remove those interruptions. Premium Plus adds offline downloads, which means you can save episodes to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock's free plan costs nothing but includes ads and a limited selection of shows and movies.
  • Premium with ads runs $5.99 per month, while Premium without ads costs $11.99 per month, and both give you access to the full library.
  • Premium Plus at $19.99 per month adds the ability to read shows for offline viewing.
  • Some cable and internet providers include Peacock Premium at no extra charge as part of your existing subscription.
  • Peacock occasionally offers discounted introductory rates for new subscribers, so the first few months may cost less than the regular price.

What content you get on each plan

The free plan gives you access to a rotating selection of movies, TV shows, and sports events, but not the full Peacock library. You will see ads throughout playback. This plan works if you want to sample the service or watch occasional content without paying.

Premium and Premium Plus both unlock the complete Peacock library — all the same shows and movies. The only difference between them is ads and downloads. Premium with ads costs less but interrupts your viewing. Premium Plus removes ads and lets you save episodes to watch later on a plane, during a commute, or anywhere without WiFi.

All paid plans include live sports, news, and exclusive Peacock originals like The Traitors and Poker After Dark. If you watch sports regularly, the paid plans are usually necessary because the free tier rotates sports content in and out.

How to check if your cable or internet provider includes Peacock

Comcast Xfinity customers automatically get Peacock Premium included. Cox Communications also bundles it with certain internet and TV packages. A few other regional providers do the same, though the list changes. If you have one of these services, you do not need to pay separately for Peacock.

To find out whether your provider includes it, log into your cable or internet account online or call customer service and ask whether Peacock Premium is part of your package. If it is, you can link your Peacock account to your provider login and watch without a separate subscription charge.

Promotional rates and discounts

Peacock regularly offers new subscribers a discounted rate for the first few months — sometimes $1.99 per month for three months, or similar deals. These promotions change frequently and are not always available. When you sign up, the service will show you any current offer before you confirm payment.

The promotional price applies only to new accounts. Once the introductory period ends, your subscription renews at the regular monthly rate unless you cancel. Check your confirmation email after signing up to see when the promotional period ends and what your renewal price will be.

How to manage or cancel your subscription

You can change your plan or cancel anytime through your Peacock account settings. Log in, go to your account menu, and select subscription or billing. From there you can upgrade to a higher tier, downgrade to a lower one, or cancel entirely. Changes take effect when ready for upgrades or at the end of your current billing cycle for downgrades and cancellations.

If you signed up through a third-party platform like Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, you may need to manage your subscription through that platform instead of directly on Peacock. Check your original confirmation email to see where your subscription is billed.

Comparing Peacock to other streaming services

Peacock's pricing sits in the middle of the streaming market. Netflix's cheapest plan with ads costs $6.99 per month, while Disney+ with ads runs $7.99 per month. Hulu with ads is $7.99 per month. If you want to compare what each service offers, look at the shows and movies you actually watch — Peacock has strong sports coverage and NBC content, while Netflix and Disney+ have different exclusive shows.

Some people subscribe to multiple services. Others rotate subscriptions month to month, signing up for one service, watching what they want, then canceling and switching to another. There is no penalty for canceling, so you can pause your subscription during months when you are not watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Peacock account with family members?

Peacock allows one account per subscription. If you want multiple people in your household to watch at the same time, you would need separate subscriptions. Some families share login credentials, but this violates Peacock's terms of service.

Do I have to pay for Peacock if my cable provider includes it?

No. If your cable or internet provider includes Peacock Premium, you can watch at no extra charge by linking your provider account to Peacock. You only pay if you want to upgrade to Premium Plus or if your provider does not include it.

What happens to my subscription if I cancel and sign up again later?

You lose access when ready when you cancel. If you sign up again later, you are treated as a new subscriber and may be offered a promotional rate. Your watch history and saved shows may or may not be restored depending on how long you were away.

Can I change my plan without canceling?

Yes. Log into your account settings and select a different tier. Upgrades take effect right away. Downgrades usually take effect at the end of your current billing cycle so you do not lose access mid-month.

Are there annual payment options that cost less than paying monthly?

Peacock occasionally offers annual plans at a discount compared to paying month-to-month, but these are not always available. Check the subscription page when you sign up to see if an annual option is offered. Annual plans usually lock you in for 12 months, so you cannot cancel early without losing the remaining balance.