Peacock's ad-free option exists, but it costs extra
Yes, you can watch Peacock without ads — but only on the paid tier. Peacock offers three subscription levels: a free tier with ads, Peacock Premium at $5.99 per month with ads, and Peacock Premium Plus at $11.99 per month with no ads. The ad-free experience is only available through Premium Plus. If you want to avoid ads entirely, you must pay the higher monthly rate.
The free tier and Premium tier both include advertising. You cannot remove ads from either of these options without upgrading to Premium Plus. Some content on Peacock is exclusive to Premium or Premium Plus subscribers, so the tier you choose affects both what you can watch and whether you see ads while watching it.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month and is the only tier that removes all ads from the service.
- The free tier and $5.99 Premium tier both show ads and cannot be upgraded to remove them without switching to Premium Plus.
- Premium Plus includes access to all content on the platform, while lower tiers restrict some movies and shows.
- Annual billing for Premium Plus costs $119.99 per year, which works out to about $10 per month if paid upfront.
What each Peacock tier includes
Peacock's three tiers differ in price, ad load, and content access. The free tier shows ads and limits which movies and shows you can watch. Premium at $5.99 per month adds more content but still includes ads. Premium Plus at $11.99 per month removes ads and unlocks the full library.
Premium Plus is the only tier where you will not see advertisements during playback. If you are currently on the free tier or Premium, switching to Premium Plus is the only way to remove ads. There is no ad-removal add-on or upgrade within the lower tiers.
Annual plans may cost less per month
Peacock offers annual billing options that reduce the monthly cost. Premium Plus costs $119.99 per year when paid annually, compared to $11.99 per month on a monthly plan. Over a year, the annual plan saves you about $24 if you commit upfront.
If you are unsure whether you will keep the subscription for a full year, the monthly plan offers more flexibility. But if you know you want ad-free viewing long-term, annual billing is the cheaper option. You pay the full year's amount at once rather than spreading payments across twelve months.
How to upgrade to Premium Plus
To switch to Premium Plus, log into your Peacock account on any device where you watch — phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device. Go to your account settings, usually found in a menu or profile icon. Select your current subscription plan and choose the option to upgrade to Premium Plus.
You will be asked to confirm the new plan and billing method. If you are on a free account, you will need to enter payment information. If you already pay for Premium, the system will adjust your billing to reflect the higher monthly cost. The change usually takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes for ads to stop appearing.
What happens if you share your account
Peacock allows account sharing within a household, but the company has begun enforcing restrictions on sharing outside your home. If you share your Premium Plus login with someone in a different location, Peacock may ask you to verify that person's access or block the stream. These restrictions explore to all tiers, including Premium Plus.
If you want to share your account with people outside your household, Peacock may eventually require a separate subscription for each person. The company has not yet fully rolled out account-sharing restrictions across all regions, so policies may change. Check your account settings periodically to see if new restrictions explore to you.
Comparing Peacock to other streaming services
Most major streaming services offer ad-free tiers, though the cost varies. Netflix's ad-free plans start at $15.49 per month. Disney+ charges $13.99 per month for ad-free viewing. Hulu's ad-free tier costs $14.99 per month. Peacock Premium Plus at $11.99 per month is cheaper than these competitors if you want to avoid ads.
However, each service has different content libraries and original shows. Peacock focuses on NBC programming, sports, and movies from Universal. If you primarily watch NBC shows or sports, Premium Plus may offer better value. If you watch a mix of services, the total cost of multiple subscriptions matters more than any single service's price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Peacock Premium Plus for free?
No. Peacock Premium Plus requires a paid subscription at $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. The free tier and Premium tier both include ads and cannot be converted to ad-free without paying for Premium Plus.
Do I have to pay for Premium Plus to watch anything on Peacock?
No. The free tier lets you watch a limited selection of shows and movies with ads. Premium at $5.99 per month expands the library but still shows ads. Premium Plus is only necessary if you want both ad-free viewing and access to the full content library.
Can I cancel Premium Plus anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. If you are on a monthly plan, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. Annual plans cannot be refunded if you cancel mid-year, though you can downgrade to a lower tier instead.
Will Premium Plus ever become free?
Peacock has not announced plans to make Premium Plus free. The company uses the ad-free tier as a paid option to generate revenue. Promotional offers occasionally reduce the price temporarily, but the standard cost remains $11.99 per month.
Does Premium Plus remove ads from live sports?
Premium Plus removes ads from on-demand content, but live sports broadcasts may still include ads that are part of the original broadcast. These are not ads inserted by Peacock but rather the ads that air during the live game itself, which Premium Plus cannot remove.