Peacock has both a free tier and paid subscription plans
Peacock, NBC's streaming service, does not require payment to watch. You can create a free account and stream thousands of hours of content at no cost. The free tier includes current NBC shows, older series, movies, and live sports events. However, Peacock also offers two paid subscription tiers — Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus — that unlock additional content and remove ads.
Whether you pay depends on what you want to watch. Some shows and movies are available only to paid subscribers, and the free tier includes ads. If you want ad-free viewing or access to the full library, you will need a subscription.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock's free tier lets you watch thousands of shows and movies with ads, including current NBC programming and live sports.
- Peacock Premium costs a monthly fee and removes ads from most content, plus unlocks additional shows and movies not on the free tier.
- Peacock Premium Plus costs more and includes the same ad-free viewing plus the ability to read content to watch offline.
- Some live events and sports require a paid subscription regardless of tier, so check before the broadcast starts.
What's included in Peacock's free tier
The free tier gives you access to a rotating library of NBC shows, including some current-season episodes that air on television. You can watch older seasons of popular series, a selection of movies, and live sports events like Premier League soccer matches and some NFL games. News programs and clips from NBC News are also available.
Free tier content includes advertisements — typically a few minutes per hour. You cannot skip ads or pause them. The video quality is standard definition on most devices, though some content streams in HD.
Peacock updates its free library regularly, so shows and movies rotate in and out. If you find something you want to watch, it may not be there permanently on the free tier.
Peacock Premium: ad-free viewing and expanded library
Peacock Premium removes most ads from the content you watch. A small number of shows still include ads even on Premium, but the majority of the library is ad-free. Premium also unlocks additional content not available on the free tier, including more recent movies, exclusive series, and some live events.
Premium subscribers can stream in HD on most devices and watch on multiple screens at the same time, depending on your device type. The service costs a monthly fee; the exact amount varies by region and changes periodically, so check Peacock's website for current pricing.
Premium is the middle option — it gives you most of what Peacock offers without the highest cost.
Peacock Premium Plus: offline downloads and maximum access
Premium Plus includes everything in Premium — ad-free viewing and the expanded library — plus the ability to read shows and movies to your device and watch them without an internet connection. This is useful if you travel or want to watch content on a plane or in areas without reliable wifi.
Premium Plus costs more than Premium. Like Premium, the exact price varies by region and may change, so verify the current cost on Peacock's website before subscribing.
How to determine which tier is right for you
Start with the free tier. Watch for a week or two and see whether the ads bother you and whether the content available meets your needs. If you find yourself wanting to watch shows that are Premium-only, or if you dislike the ad breaks, Premium is the next step.
Choose Premium Plus only if you regularly read content to watch offline. Most people find Premium sufficient. If you only watch occasionally and do not mind ads, the free tier may be all you need.
Keep in mind that some live events — certain sports games, award shows, or special broadcasts — may require a paid subscription even if they air on NBC television. Peacock usually notes this in the event description before the broadcast.
Bundling Peacock with other services
Peacock Premium is sometimes included free with certain internet or phone plans, particularly from Comcast. If you have a Comcast Xfinity account, log in to Peacock with your Xfinity credentials to see whether Premium is included. Some cell phone plans also bundle Peacock Premium at no extra cost.
You can also purchase Peacock through Apple TV Channels if you have an Apple TV+ subscription. This method charges the Peacock fee to your Apple account rather than creating a separate Peacock billing relationship, but the content and features are identical to a direct Peacock subscription.
Canceling or pausing your subscription
If you subscribe to Peacock Premium or Premium Plus, you can cancel anytime through your account settings. There is no contract or cancellation fee. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period.
Some subscriptions purchased through Apple TV Channels can be paused rather than canceled, which stops billing but lets you resume later without losing your account settings. Check your subscription settings to see whether pause is an option for your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch live NBC shows on the free tier?
Yes, Peacock streams some live NBC programming on the free tier, including certain sports events and news broadcasts. However, not all live events are available for free — some require a Premium subscription. Check the event listing before it starts to confirm whether it is free or Premium-only.
Do I have to watch ads on Premium?
Most content on Premium is ad-free, but a small number of shows still include ads even for Premium subscribers. Peacock labels these as "Premium with ads" in the app. Premium Plus does not change this — the same shows have ads on both tiers.
Can I share my Peacock account with family members?
Peacock allows multiple people to watch from the same account, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your tier. Free and Premium allow a limited number of streams; Premium Plus allows more. Check Peacock's current terms for exact stream limits, as these can change.
What happens if I downgrade from Premium to free?
Your account switches to the free tier at the end of your current billing period. You lose access to Premium-only content and ads return to your viewing. Any downloaded content from Premium Plus is no longer available offline.
Is Peacock available outside the United States?
Peacock is primarily available in the United States. International availability is limited and varies by country. If you are outside the US, check Peacock's website or contact their support to learn whether the service is available in your location.