What Peacock is and who runs it

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

Peacock is not a cable or satellite service. You do not need a cable subscription to use it, and it does not include live TV channels you flip through. Instead, you search for specific titles or browse categories, then play what you want to watch.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock offers a free tier with ads and a paid tier without ads, plus a premium tier that includes live sports and more movies.
  • The paid tiers cost between $6 and $12 per month depending on whether you want ads and which content you want to watch.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and most connected TV devices, but the number of screens you can use at once depends on your plan.
  • Peacock includes some live sports (mainly Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling), but not all NBC sports programming requires a paid subscription.
  • You can cancel at any time with no contract or early termination fee.

The three Peacock subscription tiers and what each includes

Peacock offers three tiers. The free tier includes thousands of hours of TV shows and movies, but with advertisements during playback. You do not enter a payment method to use it. The selection rotates — some titles leave and new ones arrive regularly, similar to other free ad-supported services.

The Peacock Premium tier removes most ads from the same library. As of 2024, it costs $6 per month. A small number of shows and movies still include ads even on Premium, because of licensing agreements with studios.

The Peacock Premium Plus tier costs $12 per month and removes ads from nearly all content. It also includes live sports (mainly Premier League soccer matches and WWE wrestling events), early access to some movies, and the ability to read episodes to watch offline.

NBCUniversal changes prices and features periodically. Check the Peacock website or app for current pricing in your region before you sign up.

How many screens and devices you can use at once

The free tier and Peacock Premium allow you to stream on one screen at a time. If you start playing something on your phone, then try to play something else on your TV, the phone stream stops.

Peacock Premium Plus allows up to four simultaneous streams. This means four people in your household can watch different shows at the same time, each on their own device. However, NBCUniversal's terms of service restrict account sharing to people in your household. If you share your login with someone outside your home, you may violate the terms and risk account suspension.

You can read episodes to watch later only on the Premium Plus tier. Downloads work on phones and tablets but not on computers or TV devices. Downloaded episodes typically expire after a set period (usually 30 days) and require you to reconnect to the internet periodically to verify your subscription is still active.

What devices work with Peacock

Peacock works on most major platforms: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, and LG Smart TVs. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer.

The app is free to read. You only pay if you choose a paid subscription tier. Older devices or older versions of operating systems may not support the latest version of the Peacock app — if you have trouble, check whether your device's software is up to date.

Sports on Peacock and what requires a paid subscription

Peacock includes live Premier League soccer (English football) matches, with most games available only to Premium Plus subscribers. Some matches air on NBC's broadcast channel instead and may be available to free or Premium tier users.

WWE wrestling events (including WrestleMania) stream on Peacock, but Premium Plus is required for live events. Replays of past events are sometimes available to lower tiers.

Other NBC sports — such as NFL football, NBA basketball, and Olympic coverage — may air on NBC's broadcast channel or cable channels (CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network) rather than exclusively on Peacock. If you want to watch those sports, check whether they are broadcast on cable or free-to-air television in your area, or whether Peacock offers them.

How to sign up and manage your subscription

Visit the Peacock website or read the app from your device's app store. On the free tier, you can create an account with an email address and password. For a paid tier, you enter a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal).

Your subscription renews automatically each month on the same date you signed up. You can change your tier or cancel at any time through your account settings — there is no contract, no cancellation fee, and no waiting period. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the end of that billing cycle.

If you have a Comcast cable subscription, you may be able to link your Peacock account to it and receive Premium or Premium Plus at no extra cost. Check your Comcast account or contact Comcast customer service to see whether this benefit applies to your plan.

Common reasons people cancel and alternatives

Subscribers often cancel because the content library rotates and titles they want to watch are no longer available. Peacock does not publish a schedule of what is leaving, so you may discover a show is gone only when you search for it. If you watch only a few specific shows, check whether they are currently on Peacock before you commit to a paid tier.

Others cancel because they already subscribe to multiple streaming services and want to reduce costs. Peacock's free tier is an option if you are willing to watch ads. You can also subscribe for one or two months, watch what you want, then cancel and come back later when new content arrives.

If you want live sports beyond what Peacock offers, you may need cable, a sports-specific service (such as ESPN+ or Paramount+), or a live TV streaming service (such as YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV). These services cost more but include broader sports coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Peacock on my smart TV?

Yes, if your TV is a Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Google TV model made in the last several years. read the Peacock app from your TV's app store. If your TV is older or a different brand, you may be able to connect a streaming device (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV) to it and install Peacock on that device instead.

What happens if I share my password with someone outside my household?

NBCUniversal's terms prohibit sharing your account outside your household. If detected, the company may suspend or cancel your account. Some streaming services now require periodic verification that you are in the same location as the account holder, though Peacock's current policy on this varies.

Can I watch Peacock without ads on the free tier?

No. The free tier includes ads. To remove ads, you must subscribe to Peacock Premium ($6/month) or Premium Plus ($12/month). A small number of titles include ads even on Premium due to licensing restrictions.

Do I need a cable subscription to use Peacock?

No. Peacock is a standalone service and works without cable. However, if you have a Comcast cable subscription, you may receive Premium or Premium Plus at no extra cost — contact Comcast to confirm.

What sports are on Peacock?

Premier League soccer (live matches, mostly Premium Plus only), WWE wrestling events (Premium Plus for live events), and some replays of past sports programming. Other NBC sports like NFL and NBA may air on broadcast or cable channels instead. Check the Peacock app or website to see what is currently available in your area.