Peacock has restructured its subscription tiers multiple times since launch, most recently removing its free ad-supported plan in 2024

Peacock launched in April 2020 with a free tier supported by ads. In October 2023, NBCUniversal removed that free option entirely, leaving only two paid plans: Peacock Premium (with ads) and Peacock Premium Plus (ad-free). The company later reintroduced a limited free tier in 2024, but it comes with significant restrictions compared to the original free plan. If you had a Peacock account before these changes, your access level may have shifted without warning.

The reason for these changes centers on revenue. Free tiers attract users but generate income only through advertising. As Peacock competed with Netflix, Disney+, and other streamers for subscribers, NBCUniversal prioritized converting free users to paid accounts. The company has adjusted pricing and plan features several times in response to subscriber growth and competition.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock's free ad-supported plan was removed in October 2023, then a limited free tier returned in 2024 with fewer titles and lower video quality than the original.
  • The two main paid plans are Peacock Premium (with ads, lower price) and Peacock Premium Plus (ad-free, higher price), with pricing varying by region and promotional offers.
  • If you held a free Peacock account before October 2023, you lost access when the free tier ended, though some users received temporary paid access or discounts.
  • Peacock bundles are available through cable providers and as add-ons to other services like YouTube TV and Hulu, which may offer different pricing than direct subscription.

The original free plan and why it disappeared

When Peacock launched, the free tier included a rotating selection of NBC shows, movies, and sports content, supported entirely by advertising. Users could watch current-season episodes of shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation, plus a limited movie library. The free plan had lower video quality (720p) and fewer simultaneous streams than paid tiers.

In October 2023, NBCUniversal shut down this free plan without a replacement. Existing free users received notifications that their accounts would no longer work unless they paid for a subscription. Some users were offered temporary discounts or trial periods, but there was no automatic conversion to a paid plan. The company stated that the free tier was not sustainable and that paid subscriptions were necessary to fund content production.

A limited free tier returned in 2024, but it is much more restricted than the original. The current free plan includes only a small selection of content, streams at 720p resolution, and allows only one simultaneous stream. Most current shows, movies, and sports are behind the paywall.

Current Peacock subscription plans and what each includes

Peacock Premium costs a monthly fee and includes ads during playback. This plan offers access to most of Peacock's library, streams in up to 4K resolution on compatible devices, and allows multiple simultaneous streams. Premium does not include live sports or some premium events.

Peacock Premium Plus removes ads entirely and costs more per month than Premium. It includes the same content library and streaming quality as Premium, plus access to live sports, PPV events, and exclusive content. This is the highest tier available.

Pricing for both plans varies by region and changes periodically. Peacock frequently offers promotional rates for new subscribers, such as discounted first months or annual plans at a reduced rate. Existing subscribers typically pay the standard rate unless they are part of a bundle or have an active promotion.

Peacock also offers annual subscription options for both tiers, which usually cost less per month than paying monthly. The annual plan locks in the price for 12 months, protecting you from mid-year price increases.

How Peacock bundles affect your subscription options

Peacock is included free with certain cable and internet packages from Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal. If you are a Comcast Xfinity customer, you may already have Peacock Premium Plus included in your service at no additional cost. Check your Comcast account or contact customer service to confirm what tier you have access to.

Peacock Premium is also available as an add-on through YouTube TV, Hulu, and other streaming bundles. These bundle prices differ from direct subscription and may offer savings if you already pay for those services. For example, adding Peacock to a YouTube TV subscription costs less than buying Peacock separately.

If you subscribe through a bundle rather than directly from Peacock, your billing appears on your cable or streaming service bill, not on a separate Peacock invoice. Canceling the bundle requires contacting your cable or streaming provider, not Peacock directly.

Price increases and when they typically happen

Peacock has raised prices twice since launch. The first increase occurred in July 2022, when Premium went up by $2 per month and Premium Plus by $3 per month. The second increase happened in October 2023, coinciding with the removal of the free tier. Both increases applied to new subscribers when ready and to existing subscribers after a grace period, usually 30 days.

Peacock does not announce price increases far in advance. Most subscribers learn about them through an email notification or when they see the new charge on their billing statement. If you are on an annual plan, the new price takes effect when your subscription renews the following year, not when ready.

Streaming services typically raise prices in fall or early summer, when they have new content to promote and when viewership patterns shift seasonally. Peacock has followed this pattern, but there is no may provide of when or how much the next increase will be.

What happened to free users when the plan was discontinued

When Peacock ended its free tier in October 2023, users with free accounts received an email stating that their access would end on a specific date. The email offered a link to purchase a subscription, sometimes with a promotional discount for the first month or three months. Some users reported receiving offers for 50% off Premium for three months or similar deals.

Users who did not purchase a subscription lost all access to their Peacock account. Saved watchlists, viewing history, and profile settings were not deleted, but they became inaccessible without a paid subscription. If a user later purchased a Peacock subscription, their old account information was restored.

Comcast Xfinity customers who had free Peacock access through their cable package were not affected, as their access was tied to their cable service, not to the standalone free plan. Those customers retained their access level without interruption.

How to check your current Peacock plan and billing

Log into your Peacock account on any device and go to Account Settings. Under Subscription, you will see your current plan name (Premium or Premium Plus), the monthly or annual price, and the date your next billing cycle begins. If you are on a promotional rate, the settings page will show when that promotion ends and what the regular price will be.

If you subscribe through a bundle or cable provider, your Peacock account settings will show that your subscription is managed through that provider. You cannot change your plan directly in Peacock; you must contact your cable or streaming service provider instead.

Check your email for billing confirmations from Peacock or your provider. These emails confirm what you are paying and when the next charge is due. If you see an unexpected charge or price increase, contact Peacock support or your provider within a few days to dispute it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Peacock free anymore?

A limited free tier exists as of 2024, but it includes only a small portion of content, streams at 720p, and allows one simultaneous stream. Most current shows, movies, and sports require a paid subscription. The original free plan with broader access is gone.

What is the difference between Premium and Premium Plus?

Premium includes ads and costs less per month. Premium Plus removes ads and costs more, and it includes live sports and PPV events that Premium does not. Both offer the same video quality and content library otherwise.

Will Peacock raise prices again?

Peacock has raised prices twice since 2020, and streaming services typically increase prices every one to three years. There is no announced increase, but it is common for these services to raise rates periodically. Check your account settings or email notifications for announcements.

Do I have to pay for Peacock if I have Comcast?

Comcast Xfinity customers receive Peacock Premium Plus free as part of their cable package. You do not pay extra for Peacock through your Comcast bill. Log in with your Xfinity credentials to access it.

Can I cancel my Peacock subscription anytime?

Yes. If you pay month-to-month, you can cancel anytime and your access ends at the end of that billing cycle. If you pay annually, canceling stops future renewals, but you keep access through the end of the year you paid for. Refunds for unused portions of annual plans are not standard.