What Peacock offers and how much it costs
Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal that shows TV shows, movies, sports, and news. It has three subscription tiers: a free version with ads, a paid tier called Peacock Premium with ads, and Peacock Premium Plus without ads. The free tier costs nothing. Peacock Premium costs a set monthly price (currently around $5.99 per month with ads included). Peacock Premium Plus costs more per month and removes the ads.
The exact prices vary depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to a year upfront. Annual plans are cheaper per month than month-to-month plans. Peacock also runs promotional offers where new subscribers get a discounted rate for the first few months. You can check the current prices on Peacock's website or in the app before you sign up.
Peacock is available on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. You can watch on multiple devices, but the number of screens you can use at the same time depends on your tier — the free and Premium tiers allow fewer simultaneous streams than Premium Plus.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock has a free tier with ads, a Premium tier with ads at around $5.99 per month, and a Premium Plus tier without ads at a higher monthly cost.
- Annual subscriptions cost less per month than paying month-to-month, and Peacock regularly offers discounted rates for new subscribers.
- The free tier includes some content but with more ads and fewer simultaneous streams than paid tiers.
- You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and most major streaming devices, but the number of screens you can use at once depends on which tier you choose.
- Peacock content includes NBC shows, movies, sports events, and news, though some content requires the paid tier.
What content is included in each tier
The free tier gives you access to a rotating selection of shows and movies, but the library is smaller than what paid subscribers see. Free users also see more ads during playback. Some NBC shows appear on the free tier after they air on television, but newer episodes or exclusive content usually requires a paid subscription.
Peacock Premium (the ad-supported paid tier) unlocks the full content library, including current NBC shows, older seasons of popular series, movies, and live sports events. Premium subscribers see ads, but fewer of them than free users. Premium Plus removes ads entirely and gives you the same full library as Premium.
Sports content on Peacock includes select NFL games, Premier League soccer, WWE wrestling, and other events. Not all games are on Peacock — some air only on cable or other networks. If you want to watch a specific sports event, check Peacock's schedule before you subscribe to confirm it will be there.
How to sign up and start watching
To sign up, go to Peacock.com or read the Peacock app from your device's app store. You will need to create an account with an email address and password. If you choose a paid tier, you will enter a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). Peacock will charge you on the date you sign up and then on the same day each month or year, depending on your plan.
After you complete signup, you can start watching when ready. Your account works across all devices — sign in with the same email and password on your phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device. Peacock remembers where you stopped watching, so you can pick up a show on one device and continue on another.
If you already have a cable or internet provider account (like Comcast Xfinity, Cox, or Verizon Fios), you may have Peacock Premium included at no extra cost. Check your provider's website or call their customer service to see if Peacock is bundled with your plan.
Managing your subscription and billing
You can change or cancel your subscription anytime through your account settings. Log in to Peacock.com, go to your account menu, and look for subscription or billing options. From there you can switch from Premium to Premium Plus, downgrade to free, or cancel entirely. Changes take effect when ready or at the start of your next billing cycle, depending on what you choose.
If you cancel a paid subscription, you keep access until the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged again after that date. If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can sign back in with the same account — your watchlist and viewing history will still be there.
Peacock sends billing confirmations to the email address on your account. If you do not recognize a charge or need to update your payment method, log into your account settings and look for the billing section. You can also contact Peacock's customer support through the app or website if you have questions about a charge.
Simultaneous streams and account sharing
The number of people who can watch at the same time on one account varies by tier. The free tier and Peacock Premium allow a limited number of simultaneous streams (typically two screens at once). Peacock Premium Plus allows more simultaneous streams, usually four screens at the same time. If you try to watch on more screens than your tier allows, you will get an error message and one of the streams will stop.
Peacock's terms of service say your account is for personal use in your household. Sharing your login with people outside your home may violate those terms. Peacock has not announced a paid add-on for extra household members the way some other streaming services have, so if you want to share with people in different homes, check Peacock's current policies before you do.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you cannot log in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. Peacock will send a reset link to your email. If you do not see the email, check your spam folder.
If a show or movie will not play, try closing the app completely and opening it again. If you are on a web browser, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache. Make sure your internet connection is stable — streaming requires a steady connection, and a weak signal can cause playback to stall or fail.
If you see an error message about too many simultaneous streams, it means someone else is watching on your account at the same time. Sign out of other devices or wait for other streams to finish, then try again. If you are the only one using your account and still see this error, sign out everywhere, close the app, and sign back in.
Comparing Peacock to other streaming services
Peacock competes with Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and other streaming platforms. Unlike Netflix, Peacock offers a free tier with ads, so you can watch some content without paying. Like Hulu, Peacock includes current NBC television shows, which makes it useful if you want to catch up on network TV without cable. Max (formerly HBO Max) focuses more on HBO content and movies, while Disney+ emphasizes Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
The choice between services depends on what you want to watch. If you follow NBC shows, sports, or want a free option, Peacock makes sense. If you want a large movie library, Netflix or Max may be better. Many people subscribe to multiple services to get the content they want. Peacock's lower price point (especially the free tier) makes it straightforward to try without a big commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Peacock on my smart TV?
Yes. Peacock works on most major streaming devices including Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Samsung Smart TVs. read the Peacock app from your device's app store, sign in with your account, and start watching. If your TV does not have a built-in app store, you may be able to use a streaming device connected to your TV instead.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
You keep access to Peacock until the end of your current billing period. After that date, your account will no longer work unless you resubscribe. Your watchlist and viewing history are saved, so if you come back later, you can pick up where you left off. You will not be charged again after cancellation.
Do I need a cable subscription to watch Peacock?
No. Peacock is a standalone streaming service — you do not need cable to use it. However, if you already have cable through certain providers like Comcast Xfinity, Peacock Premium may be included at no extra cost. Check with your provider to see if it is bundled with your plan.
Can I read shows to watch offline?
Yes, Peacock Premium and Premium Plus allow you to read select shows and movies to watch later without an internet connection. The read option appears on the show or movie page. Downloaded content expires after a certain period, so you cannot keep it permanently. The free tier does not include downloads.
Why am I seeing an error about my payment method?
This usually means your credit card has expired, been declined, or your bank blocked the charge. Log into your account settings, go to billing, and update your payment method with a current card. Make sure the address and zip code match what your bank has on file. If the problem continues, contact your bank to ask if they are blocking Peacock charges.