Peacock raised its prices in October 2024
Yes, Peacock increased the cost of its subscription plans in October 2024. The ad-supported plan (Peacock Standard) went from $5.99 per month to $7.99 per month. The ad-free plan (Peacock Premium) went from $11.99 per month to $13.99 per month. If you pay annually, the Standard plan is now $79.99 per year instead of $59.99, and the Premium plan is $139.99 per year instead of $119.99.
Peacock also introduced a new tier called Peacock Premium Plus at $19.99 per month, which includes offline downloads and higher video quality. Existing subscribers were notified of the price change before it took effect, and most saw the new price explore at their next billing date rather than when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock Standard (with ads) increased from $5.99 to $7.99 per month in October 2024.
- Peacock Premium (ad-free) increased from $11.99 to $13.99 per month in the same update.
- A new Premium Plus tier at $19.99 per month offers offline downloads and higher video quality.
- The price change took effect on your next billing date after October 2024, not when ready for all subscribers.
- Annual payment options cost less per month than paying monthly if you commit to a full year.
How the price increase affects current subscribers
If you had a Peacock subscription before October 2024, the new price took effect on your next billing date after the change rolled out. You were not charged the new price when ready. Peacock sent email notifications to subscribers before the increase, so check your email if you want to see the exact date your plan changed.
You can keep your current plan at the new price, downgrade to a lower tier, or cancel. If you downgrade from Premium to Standard, you will lose ad-free viewing but keep access to the same content library. There is no penalty for downgrading or canceling before your next billing date.
Comparing Peacock's three subscription tiers
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (with ads) | $7.99 | $79.99 | Full content library, ads during shows and movies |
| Premium (ad-free) | $13.99 | $139.99 | Full content library, no ads, standard video quality |
| Premium Plus | $19.99 | Not available | No ads, offline downloads, 4K video quality |
The Standard plan is the most affordable option and includes access to Peacock's full library of shows, movies, and sports. You will see ads, but the content is the same. Premium removes ads and costs $6 more per month. Premium Plus is the newest option and adds the ability to read episodes to watch offline and access 4K video quality on supported devices.
If you compare the monthly and annual rates, paying annually saves money. Standard annual ($79.99 per year) works out to about $6.67 per month, which is cheaper than the monthly rate of $7.99. Premium annual ($139.99 per year) is about $11.67 per month, compared to $13.99 monthly.
Why streaming services raise prices
Peacock, like other streaming platforms, raises prices to cover the cost of producing and licensing content, maintaining servers, and paying staff. Peacock has invested heavily in original shows and sports rights (including NFL games and WWE wrestling), which are expensive to acquire. The company also competes with Netflix, Disney+, and other services that have raised their own prices in recent years.
Price increases are common across the streaming industry. Most major services have raised prices at least once since 2022. Peacock's increase was smaller than some competitors—Netflix's ad-free plan costs $22.99 per month, and Disney+ Premium costs $13.99 per month (the same as Peacock Premium now).
What to do if you want to avoid the higher price
If the new price is too high for your budget, you have several options. You can downgrade from Premium to Standard and accept ads to save $6 per month. You can cancel Peacock and use a free trial later if a show you want to watch becomes available. You can also check whether your internet provider, phone plan, or credit card offers a Peacock subscription as a bundle—some carriers include it at no extra cost.
Another option is to pay annually instead of monthly. The annual Standard plan ($79.99 per year) works out to about $6.67 per month, which is slightly cheaper than the monthly rate of $7.99. The annual Premium plan ($139.99 per year) is about $11.67 per month, compared to $13.99 monthly. If you know you will keep the subscription for a full year, annual payment saves money.
When Peacock prices might change again
Peacock has not announced any plans for another price increase, but streaming services typically raise prices every 12 to 18 months. The October 2024 increase was the first major price change since Peacock merged its free and paid tiers in 2023. Future increases will likely depend on how much Peacock spends on new content and whether the service becomes profitable.
To stay informed about price changes, check your email for notifications from Peacock or log into your account and look at your billing information. Peacock usually gives subscribers at least 30 days' notice before a price increase takes effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my current price stay the same if I don't cancel?
No. Your price will increase to the new rate on your next billing date after October 2024. You can downgrade to a cheaper plan or cancel before that date if you want to avoid the increase, but staying on your current plan means paying the higher price going forward.
Can I get a refund for the price difference?
Peacock does not offer refunds for price increases. However, if you cancel within a few days of being charged the new price, you may be able to request a refund for that single charge through your payment method or Peacock's customer service.
Is Premium Plus worth the extra $6 per month?
That depends on how you watch. Premium Plus is worth it if you travel frequently and want to read episodes, or if you have a 4K TV and want the highest video quality. If you mostly watch at home on a standard TV and do not mind ads, Standard or regular Premium is probably enough.
Do I have to pay the new price if I have a promotional rate?
Promotional rates usually expire after a set period (often three to six months). Once your promo ends, you will be charged the standard price for your plan. Check your account to see when your promotional rate expires.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Peacock does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel and rejoin later without losing your watchlist or settings, but you will not be charged while canceled. If you want to keep your account active, you must keep paying.