Hulu and Peacock are separate services — Hulu does not include Peacock

Hulu and Peacock are owned by different companies and operate as independent streaming services. Hulu is owned by Disney; Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal. If you want to watch Peacock content, you need a Peacock subscription in addition to any Hulu subscription you may have. There is no bundle that combines them into a single payment.

This matters because the two services carry different shows and movies. Peacock holds NBC, Bravo, and Universal content. Hulu holds ABC, FX, and Disney content, plus licensed shows from other networks. If you watch programs from both networks, you will need to pay for both services separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Hulu and Peacock are owned by different parent companies and do not bundle together in any standard package.
  • Peacock carries NBC, Bravo, and Universal shows; Hulu carries ABC, FX, Disney, and licensed content from other sources.
  • You can subscribe to Peacock alone, or add it to an existing Hulu subscription, but you will pay for each service separately.
  • Some cable or internet packages include Peacock or Hulu at no extra cost, so check your current provider before buying a standalone subscription.

What content is on Peacock versus Hulu

Peacock focuses on NBC and NBCUniversal properties. This includes current and past seasons of shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, The Real Housewives franchises, and Law & Order series. Peacock also streams live sports, including Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling. Movies on Peacock come mostly from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks.

Hulu carries ABC shows, FX originals, and Disney content. That includes Grey's Anatomy, The Bachelor, Handmaid's Tale, and Only Murders in the Building. Hulu also licenses shows from networks like AMC, HBO, and others, so you may find some overlap with cable channels you already watch. Hulu's movie library is larger and more varied than Peacock's, with titles from many studios.

If you watch shows from both NBC and ABC, or if you want both The Office (Peacock) and Grey's Anatomy (Hulu), you need both subscriptions. There is no single service that gives you access to all of them.

Peacock subscription tiers and pricing

Peacock offers three tiers: a free version with ads, Peacock Premium with ads, and Peacock Premium Plus without ads. The free tier shows most content but with commercial breaks and some restrictions on newer releases. Premium and Premium Plus cost money each month and remove or reduce ads depending on which you choose.

Pricing varies by region and changes periodically, so check Peacock's website for current rates in your area. Some internet providers, like Comcast, include Peacock Premium at no extra cost if you are a customer. If you already have Comcast or another provider that bundles Peacock, you do not need to buy a separate subscription.

How to check if your cable or internet plan includes Peacock

Many cable and internet providers bundle Peacock Premium into their packages at no additional charge. Comcast Xfinity customers often receive Peacock Premium included. Cox, Verizon Fios, and some other providers may also include it, depending on your plan level.

To learn about you have Peacock included, log into your provider's account online or call their customer service number. Ask specifically whether Peacock Premium is part of your current package. If it is, you can sign into Peacock using your provider credentials and start watching without paying extra.

This is worth checking before you buy a Peacock subscription on your own, because you may already have access through your existing bill.

Can you bundle Peacock with Hulu or Disney Plus

Disney offers a bundle that includes Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus together at a discounted rate compared to buying each separately. This bundle does not include Peacock, because Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, not Disney.

You can subscribe to Peacock and the Disney bundle at the same time, but you will pay for them as two separate subscriptions. Some people do this if they want access to both NBC content (Peacock) and Disney, ABC, and FX content (Hulu and Disney Plus).

Alternatives if you want both services

If cost is a concern, consider starting with the free tier of Peacock and the basic tier of Hulu with ads. Both services offer ad-supported plans at lower prices than ad-free versions. You can watch most content on both services this way, though you will see commercials.

Another option is to subscribe to one service for a month or two, watch what you want, then pause or cancel and switch to the other. Many people rotate between services rather than paying for all of them year-round. This works if you do not need to watch shows from both networks at the same time.

If you have cable or internet through a provider like Comcast, Verizon, or Cox, check whether Peacock or Hulu is already included before you buy anything. This can save you money if one or both services are already part of what you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hulu Premium include Peacock?

No. Hulu Premium and Hulu with ads are separate from Peacock. Even if you pay for the highest tier of Hulu, you do not get Peacock. You must buy a Peacock subscription separately if you want to watch Peacock content.

Can I watch NBC shows on Hulu instead of Peacock?

Some NBC shows appear on Hulu the day after they air on television, but not all of them. Older seasons and exclusive Peacock originals are only on Peacock. If you want the full library of NBC content, you need Peacock.

Is there a discount if I buy Peacock and Hulu together?

No official bundle exists between Hulu and Peacock. You pay for each subscription separately. The only bundle Disney offers is Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus together, which does not include Peacock.

What if my internet provider includes one of these services?

Check your provider's website or call their customer service to confirm what is included in your plan. Comcast, Verizon, and Cox sometimes include Peacock or Hulu at no extra cost. If you have access through your provider, you do not need to buy a separate subscription.

Can I use a free trial of Peacock and Hulu at the same time?

Yes, if both services offer free trials in your region. You can sign up for a trial of Peacock and a trial of Hulu simultaneously to test both before deciding whether to pay. Check each service's website for current trial offers, as these change frequently.