Peacock offers an ad-free tier, but only at the Premium Plus level

Peacock has three subscription tiers. The free tier and the standard Premium tier both include ads. Only Premium Plus removes ads from nearly all content. Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month, or $119.99 per year if you pay annually—that's about $10 per month when spread across 12 months.

The free tier lets you watch some movies, shows, and live sports, but with ads interrupting playback. The standard Premium tier ($5.99 per month) also includes ads, though it unlocks more content than free. If you want to watch without ads, Premium Plus is your only choice on Peacock.

A small number of live sports events and premium content may still show ads even on Premium Plus, but Peacock does not charge extra to remove those. The company builds them in as part of the broadcast rights agreement with sports leagues.

Key Takeaways

  • Premium Plus is the only Peacock tier without ads, costing $11.99 monthly or $119.99 yearly.
  • The free tier and standard Premium ($5.99/month) both include ads throughout most content.
  • A very small number of live sports events may still show ads on Premium Plus due to broadcast agreements, but you do not pay extra to remove them.
  • Peacock does not offer a way to remove ads from the free or standard Premium tiers without upgrading to Premium Plus.

How the three Peacock tiers compare

The free tier gives you access to a rotating selection of shows, movies, and some live sports, but ads play during playback. You cannot fast-forward through them. The content library is smaller than what Premium members see, and some newer releases are locked behind the paid tiers.

Standard Premium ($5.99/month) unlocks the full Peacock library and removes some restrictions—you can watch more recent content and access the complete back catalog of shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation. Ads still interrupt playback, and you cannot skip them. This tier is useful if you want more content but do not mind watching commercials.

Premium Plus ($11.99/month) removes ads from everything except those rare live sports events. It is the only tier where you watch uninterrupted. The content library is identical to standard Premium; the difference is purely the ads.

What Premium Plus actually removes

Premium Plus removes ads from all on-demand movies and TV shows. When you watch The Office, Yellowstone, or any movie in the library, no commercials interrupt the playback. The same goes for Peacock originals and licensed content.

Live sports is where the exception appears. Some live events—particularly major sports broadcasts—include ads that are part of the broadcast feed itself, not inserted by Peacock. These ads appear on Premium Plus because they are baked into the rights agreement between Peacock and the sports league. You cannot remove them without Peacock renegotiating those contracts, which is not practical. However, Peacock does not charge you extra to watch these events; the ads are straightforward part of what you get with the Premium Plus subscription.

Peacock also does not insert additional ads on top of those broadcast ads, so the ad load during live sports on Premium Plus is lighter than it would be on a lower tier.

Annual payment saves money if you commit

If you pay month-to-month for Premium Plus, the cost is $11.99 per month. If you pay for a full year upfront, it costs $119.99 total, which works out to about $10 per month. That is roughly a 17 percent discount for committing to a year.

The same discount applies to standard Premium: $5.99 per month month-to-month, or $59.99 per year (about $5 per month). The free tier has no payment option, so there is nothing to discount.

You can cancel either paid tier at any time. If you pay annually and cancel before the year is up, Peacock does not refund the unused portion, so check your cancellation policy before you commit to annual billing.

Bundling Peacock with other services

Peacock Premium is included free with certain Comcast internet and TV packages. If you are a Comcast customer, check your account to see whether Premium is already part of your plan. This does not include Premium Plus—only the standard Premium tier with ads.

Peacock is also available through some third-party bundles. For example, certain wireless carriers or streaming bundles may offer Peacock as part of a package deal. These bundled versions are typically the standard Premium tier, not Premium Plus, and they may have different cancellation terms than a direct Peacock subscription.

If you are interested in a bundle, contact your service provider directly to confirm what tier is included and whether you can upgrade to Premium Plus.

Comparing Peacock to other streaming services

Most major streaming services offer both ad-supported and ad-free tiers. Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu all have ad-free options, though the price varies. Netflix's ad-free tier starts at $15.49 per month. Disney+ ad-free is $13.99 per month. Hulu's ad-free tier is $14.99 per month. Peacock's Premium Plus at $11.99 per month is less expensive than all three.

However, the content libraries differ. Netflix and Disney+ have larger catalogs of original series and films. Peacock focuses heavily on NBC content, sports, and a smaller selection of licensed movies. If you primarily want to watch NBC shows, sports, and Peacock originals, Premium Plus may be the better value. If you want a broader range of content, you may end up subscribing to multiple services anyway.

Some people use the free or standard Premium tier of Peacock alongside an ad-free subscription to another service, rather than paying for Premium Plus. That choice depends on your tolerance for ads and which shows matter most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove ads from the free Peacock tier without paying?

No. The free tier is supported by ads, and there is no way to remove them without upgrading to a paid subscription. Upgrading to standard Premium ($5.99/month) still includes ads. Only Premium Plus removes ads.

Do I have to watch ads on Premium Plus during live sports?

Most live sports on Premium Plus have no ads. However, some major sports broadcasts include ads that are part of the broadcast feed itself, not added by Peacock. These ads appear because of agreements between Peacock and sports leagues. Peacock does not charge extra to remove them—they are straightforward part of the broadcast.

Is Premium Plus worth the extra cost over standard Premium?

That depends on how much you watch and how much ads bother you. Standard Premium is $5.99/month; Premium Plus is $11.99/month—a difference of $6 per month or $72 per year. If you watch several hours per week, the uninterrupted viewing may be worth it. If you watch occasionally, standard Premium may be enough.

What happens if I cancel Premium Plus?

Your access ends at the end of your billing cycle. If you paid month-to-month, you lose access after 30 days. If you paid annually, you lose access after 12 months. Peacock does not refund unused time if you cancel early in an annual subscription.

Can I get Premium Plus free through a Comcast bundle?

No. Comcast bundles include standard Premium (with ads), not Premium Plus. You would need to pay the $11.99 monthly fee to upgrade to Premium Plus, even if you already have Premium through Comcast.