Hulu and Peacock are separate services — Hulu does not include Peacock

Hulu and Peacock are owned by different companies and operate as independent streaming services. Hulu is owned by Disney; Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal. If you subscribe to Hulu, you do not automatically get Peacock, and vice versa. You need a separate subscription to each service if you want to watch content from both.

The confusion often arises because both services offer ad-supported and ad-free tiers, and because some people bundle multiple Disney services together. But Peacock is not part of any Disney bundle, and Hulu is not part of any NBCUniversal bundle. They remain completely separate.

Key Takeaways

  • Hulu and Peacock are owned by different companies and require separate subscriptions — subscribing to one does not give you access to the other.
  • Hulu offers ad-supported and ad-free plans; Peacock offers a free tier with ads, a paid ad-supported tier, and a paid ad-free tier.
  • Disney bundles Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+, but Peacock is not included in any of these bundles.
  • The content libraries are completely different — Hulu carries ABC, FX, and other Disney-owned shows, while Peacock carries NBC, Bravo, and other NBCUniversal content.

What content is on each service

Hulu focuses on current-season television from ABC, FX, and other Disney-owned networks, plus a large library of older shows and movies. You will find shows like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu. Hulu also carries a significant collection of licensed films.

Peacock carries content from NBC, Bravo, E!, Syfy, and other NBCUniversal networks. You will find shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, and The Real Housewives franchises on Peacock. Peacock also produces original series and carries sports content, including some Premier League soccer matches and WWE wrestling.

If you want to watch shows from both libraries, you need both subscriptions. There is no overlap in ownership that would allow one service to include the other.

How Hulu pricing works

Hulu offers two subscription tiers. The ad-supported plan costs less per month and includes ads during playback. The ad-free plan costs more and removes ads. Both plans give you access to the same content library.

You can also bundle Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ at a discounted combined price. This bundle comes in three versions: all three services with ads, all three services ad-free, or a mixed option with Hulu and ESPN+ carrying ads while Disney+ is ad-free. The bundle does not include Peacock.

How Peacock pricing works

Peacock offers three tiers. The free tier includes ads and gives you access to a portion of Peacock's content library — enough to watch some full episodes and movies, but not everything. The paid ad-supported tier unlocks the full library but still includes ads. The paid ad-free tier removes ads and gives you the complete library.

Peacock does not bundle with any other services. If you want Peacock, you pay for Peacock alone. There is no discount for combining it with other streaming services.

Why these services are separate

Hulu and Peacock are separate because they are owned by competing media companies. Disney owns Hulu and uses it to distribute content from its networks and studios. NBCUniversal owns Peacock and uses it to distribute content from its own networks and studios. Each company wants to keep its content on its own platform to maximize subscription revenue.

This is why you see bundles within each company's ecosystem — Disney bundles Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ together because it owns all three. But NBCUniversal does not bundle Peacock with anything, and Disney does not include Peacock in its bundles. The two companies are not partners in streaming.

If you want both services

If you want to watch content from both Hulu and Peacock, you will need to pay for both subscriptions. The most affordable way to get Hulu is usually the ad-supported tier, and the most affordable way to get Peacock is the free tier (if the free content is enough for you) or the ad-supported paid tier.

Some people find that the ad-free versions are worth the extra cost if they watch frequently. Others prefer to save money by accepting ads. The choice depends on your budget and how much you watch.

Other streaming services to consider

If you are building a streaming setup, remember that Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Max (formerly HBO Max) are also separate services with their own pricing. There is no single service that includes all major streaming content. Most people subscribe to three to five services based on which shows and movies they want to watch.

Before committing to multiple subscriptions, check which service carries the specific shows you want to watch. Many streaming services offer free trials, so you can test them before paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Peacock free with a Hulu subscription?

No. Hulu and Peacock are completely separate services. A Hulu subscription does not include any access to Peacock. You would need to pay for Peacock separately if you want to watch its content.

Is there a bundle that includes both Hulu and Peacock?

No. Disney and NBCUniversal do not offer a combined bundle. Disney bundles Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+. Peacock is sold only as a standalone subscription.

What if I only want to watch one show — do I need both subscriptions?

Only if that show is on one of the services. Check which service carries the show you want before you subscribe. If it is on Hulu, subscribe to Hulu. If it is on Peacock, subscribe to Peacock. You only need both if you want content from both libraries.

Does Peacock have a free option?

Yes. Peacock offers a free tier with ads that includes a rotating selection of full episodes, movies, and sports. The free tier does not include everything on Peacock, but it is a real option if you want to try the service before paying.

Can I share a Hulu or Peacock subscription with family members?

Both services allow multiple profiles on a single account, but the terms of service restrict sharing to people in your household. Sharing outside your home may violate the service agreement. Check the current terms for each service, as these policies change.