Peacock has raised prices multiple times since its launch in 2020

Yes, Peacock has increased its subscription prices. The service launched in April 2020 with a free tier and a paid tier at $4.99 per month. Since then, the company has raised prices twice: once in 2022 and again in 2024. The most recent increase took effect in July 2024, when the ad-supported plan moved from $5.99 to $7.99 per month, and the ad-free plan moved from $11.99 to $13.99 per month.

These increases are typical for streaming services as they add content and raise production costs. Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, which funds the service partly through advertising revenue and partly through subscription fees. When you see a price increase, it usually means the company is spending more on licensed content, original shows, and sports rights — particularly live sports like NFL games and the Olympics, which Peacock now carries.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock's ad-supported plan costs $7.99 per month as of July 2024, up from $5.99 when it was introduced.
  • The ad-free plan costs $13.99 per month as of July 2024, up from $11.99 previously.
  • A free tier with limited content still exists and has not changed.
  • Price increases typically happen when streaming services add major content like live sports or expand their original programming.
  • Existing subscribers may have had a grace period before the new price took effect on their account.

What Peacock costs right now

Peacock offers three tiers. The free tier gives you access to a limited library of shows, movies, and news — no payment required, though you will see ads. This tier has not changed in price because it has always been free.

The ad-supported paid tier, called Peacock Premium, costs $7.99 per month. This includes the full Peacock library, live sports, and news, but you will see advertisements during playback. The ad-free tier, called Peacock Premium Plus, costs $13.99 per month and removes ads from most content (some live sports may still show ads due to licensing agreements).

Both paid tiers also include the ability to read content to watch offline and to create multiple user profiles on one account. If you are a Comcast or Cox customer, you may have Peacock Premium included with your internet or TV service at no extra cost — check your account to see if you already have access.

When Peacock raised prices and why

Peacock's first price increase came in October 2022. At that time, the ad-supported plan went from $4.99 to $5.99 per month, and the ad-free plan went from $9.99 to $11.99 per month. The company cited the cost of adding new content and expanding its sports offerings as reasons for the increase.

The second increase, in July 2024, was more significant. The ad-supported plan jumped to $7.99 per month (a $2 increase from the 2022 price), and the ad-free plan went to $13.99 per month (a $2 increase). By this time, Peacock had secured rights to broadcast NFL games on Sunday nights, the Olympics, and other major sporting events. These rights are expensive, and the company passed some of that cost to subscribers.

Peacock also expanded its original programming — shows like The Traitors, Poker Face, and Yellowstone: 1883 — which require significant production budgets. Streaming services typically raise prices when they have added enough new content or secured expensive rights that the old price no longer covers their costs.

How price increases work for existing subscribers

When Peacock raises prices, existing subscribers usually get a notice 30 days before the change takes effect on their account. The exact timing depends on when you signed up — the company staggered the 2024 increase across several months so not everyone's price changed on the same day.

You will see the new price reflected in your next billing cycle after the notice period ends. If you want to avoid the increase, you can cancel your subscription before the new price takes effect. Some subscribers choose to downgrade from Premium Plus (ad-free) to Premium (with ads) to keep their monthly cost lower.

Comparing Peacock to other streaming services

At $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 without ads, Peacock's pricing is in the middle range for streaming services. Netflix's ad-supported plan starts at $6.99 per month, while its ad-free plans range from $15.49 to $22.99 depending on video quality. Disney+ costs $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 without ads — the same as Peacock's current pricing. Hulu's ad-supported plan is $7.99 per month, and its ad-free plan is $14.99 per month.

The value you get depends on what you want to watch. If you are interested in NBC shows, sports, and Peacock originals, the service may be worth it. If you primarily watch other networks' content, a different service might be a better fit. Many people subscribe to multiple services, so the total cost of all your subscriptions is worth tracking.

What to do if you do not want to pay the new price

If the price increase bothers you, you have several options. You can cancel your subscription and use the free tier, which still offers a decent selection of content, though it is smaller than the paid tiers. You can downgrade from Premium Plus to Premium if you are willing to watch ads. You can also pause your subscription temporarily and come back later if you think prices might stabilize.

Another option is to share a subscription with family or friends — Peacock allows multiple user profiles on one account, so you can split the cost. Just be aware that Peacock, like other streaming services, has been testing password-sharing restrictions, so the rules around sharing may change.

Will Peacock prices go up again

Peacock has not announced any upcoming price increases, but streaming services typically raise prices every one to two years as their costs grow. Whether Peacock raises prices again depends on how much it spends on new content and sports rights, how many subscribers it has, and how much advertising revenue it brings in.

If you want to stay informed about future price changes, check your email for notices from Peacock — the company is required to notify you before any increase takes effect. You can also check Peacock's website or your account settings periodically to see if there are any announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the new price if I am already a subscriber?

Yes, after a 30-day notice period, the new price will explore to your account on your next billing date. You can cancel before that date takes effect if you do not want to pay the higher price, or you can downgrade to a cheaper tier.

Can I get Peacock for free?

Yes, Peacock's free tier is still available and has not changed. It includes a limited library of shows, movies, and news with ads. The free tier does not include live sports or the full Peacock original series library, but it is a good way to try the service before paying.

Is Peacock included with my cable or internet service?

If you are a Comcast or Cox customer, you may have Peacock Premium included at no extra cost. Log into your account on Peacock's website or app to see if you already have access. Other internet or cable providers do not typically include Peacock.

What is the difference between Premium and Premium Plus?

Premium ($7.99 per month) includes the full Peacock library and live sports but shows ads during playback. Premium Plus ($13.99 per month) removes ads from most content. Both tiers allow downloads and multiple profiles. Choose Premium Plus only if ads bother you enough to justify the extra $6 per month.

Can I cancel anytime if I do not like the new price?

Yes, you can cancel your Peacock subscription anytime without a penalty. There are no long-term contracts. You will lose access to the paid content when your current billing period ends, but you can resubscribe later if you change your mind.