No, Paramount and Peacock are separate streaming services owned by different companies

Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, which is a subsidiary of Comcast. They are completely different services with different content libraries, pricing structures, and parent companies. You need a separate subscription to each one if you want to watch shows and movies from both.

The confusion is understandable because both services launched around the same time and both offer a mix of live TV, movies, and original series. But the content you can watch on each one comes from different studios and networks. A show available on Paramount+ will not automatically be on Peacock, and vice versa.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount+ and Peacock are owned by different parent companies and require separate subscriptions.
  • Paramount+ carries content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the Paramount film studio, while Peacock carries NBC, Universal, and other NBCUniversal properties.
  • Both services offer free tiers with ads and paid tiers without ads, but the pricing and content available at each tier differ.
  • Your cable or internet provider may bundle one or both services, so check your account before paying separately.

What content is on each service

Paramount+ focuses on shows and movies from the Paramount Global family of networks and studios. This includes CBS shows like Star Trek: Discovery and The Good Fight, MTV content, Nickelodeon programming, and films from the Paramount Pictures movie studio. If you watch a lot of CBS or want access to the Paramount film library, Paramount+ is where you'll find that content.

Peacock carries content from NBCUniversal properties, which includes NBC television shows, Universal Pictures films, and content from networks like Bravo, E!, and USA Network. Shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Saturday Night Live are on Peacock. If you want NBC programming or Universal movies, Peacock is the service you need.

Some content does appear on both services, but this is rare and usually happens when licensing agreements allow it. You cannot assume a show is on both just because it's a major title.

Pricing and free tiers

Both services offer a free tier supported by ads. Paramount+ Free includes a limited selection of content and shows ads during playback. Peacock Free also includes a limited library with ads. If you want to test either service without paying, the free tier is a reasonable starting point, though you will see fewer titles than paid subscribers.

Paramount+ Premium (the paid tier without ads) costs a set monthly rate. Peacock Premium (also ad-free) costs less per month than Paramount+ Premium, though the exact prices vary by region and change periodically. Some providers bundle these services with cable or internet plans, so check your existing subscriptions before paying separately.

Bundling through your provider

If you have Comcast cable or internet service, Peacock may already be included in your plan at no extra cost. Comcast owns NBCUniversal, so they often bundle Peacock with their packages. Check your Comcast account online or call to see what you already have access to.

Paramount+ is less commonly bundled with internet or cable providers, though some packages do include it. If you have a streaming bundle through your provider, log in and see what services are already available to you before purchasing a separate subscription.

How to tell which service has what you want

The simplest way to know which service to subscribe to is to think about what you actually want to watch. If you watch a lot of NBC shows, The Office, or Universal movies, Peacock is the right choice. If you watch CBS, want Paramount films, or follow Nickelodeon content, Paramount+ is what you need.

Both services publish their full content catalogs online. You can search their websites or apps to see whether a specific show or movie is available before you subscribe. This takes two minutes and saves you from paying for a service that does not have what you want.

Can you get both services together

You can subscribe to both Paramount+ and Peacock at the same time, but they are billed separately. There is no bundle that combines them into one subscription. If you want content from both libraries, you will pay for two separate services.

Some people subscribe to one service for a month or two, watch what they want, then cancel and switch to the other. This is a common way to manage costs if you do not want to pay for both simultaneously. Neither service has a contract, so you can cancel anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have a Paramount+ subscription, can I watch Peacock content?

No. Paramount+ and Peacock are completely separate services. A subscription to one does not give you access to the other. You would need to subscribe to both if you want to watch content from both libraries.

Is Paramount+ owned by NBC?

No. Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global. NBC and Peacock are owned by NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast. They are entirely different companies.

Does Peacock have CBS shows?

Not typically. CBS shows are owned by Paramount Global and are reserved for Paramount+. Peacock carries NBC shows instead. Some older shows may appear on both due to licensing deals, but this is not the standard arrangement.

Can I get Paramount+ and Peacock bundled together?

No official bundle exists that combines both services. However, your cable or internet provider may bundle one or both with your plan. Contact your provider to see what streaming services are already included in your package.

Which service is cheaper?

Peacock Premium typically costs less per month than Paramount+ Premium, though prices vary by region and change over time. Both offer free tiers with ads. Check the current pricing on each service's website to compare what you would pay.