Peacock offers a mix of free and paid content, including NBC shows, movies, sports, and originals

Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service, and what you can watch depends on which version you use. The free tier gives you access to a rotating selection of TV shows, movies, and sports events — but with ads. The paid tiers (Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus) remove ads, unlock more content, and let you watch live sports and events. You don't need a cable subscription to use Peacock; you can sign up directly on the app or website.

The content library changes regularly, so a show available this month might rotate off next month. Peacock also streams live events like NFL games, Premier League soccer, and WWE wrestling, though some of these require the paid tier or a cable login.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock's free tier includes hundreds of shows and movies but rotates content monthly and includes ads.
  • Premium ($5.99 per month with ads, or $11.99 without ads) unlocks more movies, full seasons of shows, and some live sports.
  • Premium Plus ($15.99 per month) adds the ability to read content and watch offline, plus access to all live events.
  • You can search by title, genre, or category within the app to see what's currently available to watch.
  • Live sports on Peacock include select NFL games, Premier League matches, and WWE events, though availability varies by subscription tier.

What's included in Peacock's free tier

The free version of Peacock includes a substantial catalog, though it's smaller than what Premium offers. You'll find full seasons of shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and Saturday Night Live clips. Movies rotate in and out, so the selection changes throughout the month. You also get access to some news, late-night clips, and reality TV content.

Free content comes with ads, and you can watch on one screen at a time. The free tier is a good way to test whether Peacock has content you want before paying for a subscription. If you find yourself wanting more, you can upgrade to Premium at any time.

What Premium and Premium Plus unlock

Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month with ads, or $11.99 per month ad-free) gives you the full content library — more movies, complete seasons of shows, and access to some live sports. You can watch on two screens at once, and you get early access to new episodes of some shows. Premium also includes Peacock Originals like The Traitors, Poker Face, and Bel-Air.

Premium Plus ($15.99 per month) adds the ability to read shows and movies to watch offline, and it removes all ads. It also unlocks access to all live events, including every NFL game broadcast on NBC, Premier League soccer matches, and WWE programming. If you watch live sports or travel frequently, Premium Plus is the tier that gives you the most flexibility.

How to search for specific shows and movies

Once you're logged into Peacock, use the search bar at the top of the app or website to type in a show or movie title. Peacock will tell you whether it's available on your subscription tier, and if it's not, it will show you which tier you need to unlock it. You can also browse by category — Drama, Comedy, Sports, News — or use the "Coming Soon" section to see what's arriving next.

If a show or movie isn't currently available, Peacock doesn't always tell you when it will return. Content licensing agreements mean titles come and go. You can add shows to a "Watchlist" so you get a notification if they return to the service.

Live sports and events on Peacock

Peacock streams live sports that vary by subscription tier. Free users can watch some sports content, but most live events require Premium or Premium Plus. NFL games broadcast on NBC air on Peacock, and you can watch them live or on-demand with Premium. Premier League soccer matches (English football) are available with Premium, with some matches exclusive to Premium Plus.

WWE wrestling events, including WrestleMania and Monday Night Raw, stream on Peacock with Premium or Premium Plus. The exact games and events available change week to week and season to season, so check the app's Sports section to see what's live this week. Some events may also require a cable login if you have a cable subscription.

Peacock Originals and exclusive content

Peacock produces its own shows and movies, available only on the platform. These include The Traitors (a reality competition), Poker Face (a mystery series), Bel-Air (a dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and One of Us Is Lying (a teen mystery). Most Originals require Premium or Premium Plus, though some clips or trailers may be free.

Peacock also has exclusive rights to some movies and shows that don't air on other streaming services. New Originals release on a regular schedule, usually with new episodes dropping weekly or all at once, depending on the show.

Troubleshooting: Why a show or movie isn't showing up

If you search for a title and it doesn't appear, it may not be on Peacock right now. Content rotates off the service when licensing agreements end, and new content is added regularly. Check back in a few weeks — popular shows often return. You can also check Peacock's "Coming Soon" section to see if the title is scheduled to arrive.

If you're on the free tier and a show says "Premium required," you'll need to upgrade to watch it. Some live sports also require a cable login even with Premium, which means you need to sign in with your cable provider's credentials. If you don't have cable, those events won't be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cable subscription to watch Peacock?

No. You can sign up for Peacock directly without cable. However, some live sports events require a cable login to watch, even if you have a Peacock subscription. If you don't have cable, you can still watch most content, but you'll miss those specific events.

Can I watch Peacock on multiple devices at the same time?

Free and Premium allow one screen at a time. Premium Plus lets you watch on four screens simultaneously, which is useful if multiple people in your household want to watch different things. Each tier has its own device limits.

What happens if a show I'm watching gets removed from Peacock?

If you're in the middle of a series and it's removed, you won't be able to finish it on Peacock. You may be able to buy the remaining episodes on another platform like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, but Peacock won't have them. This is why checking the "Coming Soon" section helps you plan what to watch.

Is there a way to know when new content is added?

Peacock has a "New & Trending" section that updates regularly. You can also add shows to your Watchlist, and Peacock will notify you if they arrive on the service. Following Peacock's social media accounts also alerts you to major releases and new Originals.

Can I read shows to watch offline?

Only Premium Plus includes the read feature. With Premium Plus, you can read movies and shows to your device and watch them without an internet connection. Free and Premium tiers require an active internet connection to stream.