Peacock offers a free tier, but it does not include a trial period
Peacock TV does not have a free trial in the traditional sense — you do not get a limited time to test a paid plan before your card is charged. Instead, Peacock offers a permanent free tier that you can use indefinitely without entering payment information. This free version includes ads and a smaller library than the paid plans, but it requires no commitment and no expiration date.
If you want to watch without ads or access the full content library, Peacock offers two paid subscription tiers: Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus. Neither tier includes a free trial period, though some internet or phone providers bundle Peacock Premium at no extra cost to their customers.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock's free tier is permanent and never expires, so you can watch ad-supported content as long as you want without paying.
- The free tier includes a limited selection of movies, TV shows, and live sports, but not the full Peacock library.
- Peacock Premium and Premium Plus do not offer trial periods, but some cable and internet providers include Premium access as part of your service.
- You can watch the free tier on any device where the Peacock app is available, including phones, tablets, streaming devices, and web browsers.
- Switching from free to paid, or between paid tiers, can be done anytime through your account settings without penalty.
What the free tier includes and what it does not
The free tier gives you access to a rotating selection of Peacock's content library. You can watch movies, TV show episodes, live sports events, and news programming, but the selection is smaller than what Premium subscribers see. Peacock rotates which titles are available on the free tier, so a show you watch one month may not be there the next.
The free tier includes ads, which play before, during, and after content. You cannot skip these ads or remove them. If you want to watch without interruption, you need to pay for Premium or Premium Plus. The free tier also does not include access to live sports events that require a subscription, though some live content is available for free.
One limitation of the free tier is that you cannot read content to watch offline. Premium and Premium Plus subscribers can read select titles to their phones or tablets. The free tier also has lower video quality — it streams at up to 720p resolution, while Premium streams at up to 1080p and Premium Plus streams at up to 4K.
Paid subscription tiers and what they cost
Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month with ads, or you can pay $11.99 per month for ad-free viewing. Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month with ads, or $17.99 per month without ads. These prices are current but may change, so check Peacock's website for the most recent rates.
Premium gives you access to the full Peacock library, including movies, TV shows, and live sports. You can read select titles for offline viewing and stream in up to 1080p. Premium Plus includes everything in Premium plus early access to new seasons of popular shows and the ability to stream on up to four devices at once.
Neither Premium nor Premium Plus includes a trial period. However, if you have a cable or internet provider that bundles Peacock, you may already have Premium access included. Comcast, Cox, and Verizon customers often receive Premium at no additional cost. Check your provider's website or call customer service to see if Peacock is included in your plan.
How to start watching on the free tier
To watch Peacock for free, go to peacocktv.com or read the Peacock app on your device. Create an account using your email address and a password. You do not need to enter a credit card or payment method to use the free tier. Once your account is set up, you can start watching when ready.
The Peacock app is available on most streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. You can also watch on your phone, tablet, or computer. Sign in with the same email and password you used to create your account, and your free tier access will be available on all devices.
If you decide later that you want to upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus, you can do so anytime through your account settings. Your payment method will be saved, and you will be charged on the date you upgrade. You can cancel or downgrade back to free anytime without penalty.
Provider bundles that include Peacock Premium
Several internet and cable providers include Peacock Premium as part of their service packages. Comcast Xfinity customers with certain internet or TV plans receive Premium access at no extra cost. Cox Communications and Verizon Fios customers may also have Premium included, depending on their plan level.
If you are unsure whether your provider includes Peacock, contact their customer service or check your account online. You may need to link your Peacock account to your provider account to set up the included access. This process is usually straightforward and takes just a few minutes.
Even if your provider includes Premium, you still do not get a trial period for Premium Plus. If you want Premium Plus features like early access to new seasons or four-device streaming, you would need to pay the additional cost.
Switching between free and paid plans
You can upgrade from free to Premium or Premium Plus anytime by going to your account settings and selecting a paid plan. Your first charge will happen when ready, and then you will be billed on the same date each month. You can choose to pay monthly or, in some cases, annually for a discount.
If you upgrade and later decide you want to go back to free, you can downgrade anytime. Your paid access will continue until the end of your current billing cycle, and then your account will revert to the free tier. You will not be charged again unless you upgrade again in the future.
Canceling your subscription is also straightforward. Go to your account settings, find the subscription section, and select cancel. You will keep access through the end of your current billing period. After that, your account will become free tier only.
Common reasons to upgrade from free to paid
The main reason people upgrade is to remove ads. If you watch Peacock regularly, the ads can add significant time to your viewing. Premium removes ads entirely, and Premium Plus removes them as well while adding extra features.
Another reason to upgrade is access to the full library. The free tier rotates its content, so titles you want to watch may not always be available. Premium and Premium Plus give you access to everything Peacock offers, whenever you want it. This is especially useful if you follow a specific show or want to watch a particular movie.
Premium Plus is worth considering if you have multiple people in your household who watch Peacock. Premium Plus allows four simultaneous streams, while Premium allows only one or two depending on your plan. If your family members watch at the same time, Premium Plus prevents buffering and login conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the free tier on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, you can watch on multiple devices with your free account, but only one stream can play at a time. If you try to start playback on a second device while something is playing on the first, the first stream will stop. Premium Plus allows four simultaneous streams.
Will Peacock ever offer a free trial for Premium?
Peacock does not currently offer trials for Premium or Premium Plus. However, promotions change periodically, so it is worth checking Peacock's website or your email for any special offers. Some providers may occasionally bundle Premium for free as a promotion.
Do I lose my free account if I upgrade to Premium?
No, upgrading to Premium does not delete your account or change your login. Your account straightforward gains access to more content and features. If you cancel Premium later, your account reverts to free tier with the same email and password.
Is the free tier available in all countries?
Peacock is primarily available in the United States. The free tier and paid plans are offered to U.S. customers. Availability outside the U.S. varies by region, so check Peacock's website if you are outside the country.
What happens to my watchlist if I downgrade from Premium to free?
Your watchlist and viewing history stay with your account regardless of which tier you are on. If you downgrade to free and later upgrade again, your watchlist will still be there. However, some titles on your watchlist may not be available on the free tier.