The simplest way to skip ads on Peacock
Peacock offers two subscription tiers: a free plan with ads, and a paid plan called Peacock Premium that removes most ads. If you have the free plan, you cannot skip ads—they play in full before and during content. If you upgrade to Peacock Premium, ads disappear almost entirely, though a small number of shows still carry ads even on the paid tier.
The free plan shows ads at the start of a show, partway through, and sometimes at the end. These ads are unskippable and typically run 15 to 30 seconds each. There is no button to bypass them, no countdown timer, and no way to fast-forward. You watch them or you stop watching.
If you want to remove ads, you need to pay for Peacock Premium. This is the only method that actually stops ads from playing. There is no trick, no hidden setting, and no workaround that keeps you on the free plan and removes ads.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock's free plan has unskippable ads that play before and during shows, and there is no way to skip them without paying.
- Peacock Premium removes ads from nearly all content, though a small number of shows still include ads even on the paid plan.
- Peacock Premium costs money monthly and is the only way to stop ads from playing.
- Some shows on Peacock Premium still carry ads because of licensing agreements with content providers, so check the show details before subscribing if ad-free viewing is your main goal.
What Peacock Premium includes
Peacock Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads from most of the platform's content. The monthly cost varies depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to a yearly plan. You can also find promotional rates if you bundle Peacock with other services like Comcast or T-Mobile.
When you subscribe to Peacock Premium, you get access to the full library of shows and movies available on the platform, plus the ability to read content to watch offline. The main benefit for most people is the removal of ads, but the subscription also unlocks content that is exclusive to paid members.
Peacock Premium does not mean zero ads on every show. A small number of programs—usually live sports and certain licensed content—still display ads even if you pay. Peacock lists these shows in advance, so you can see which ones carry ads before you start watching.
How to upgrade from the free plan
To move from the free plan to Peacock Premium, open the Peacock app or website and look for an upgrade button. This is usually in the account menu or at the top of the screen. Tap or click it, and Peacock will show you the current price and payment options.
You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or through a linked payment method like PayPal or Apple Pay. After you enter your payment information, the upgrade takes effect when ready. Your account switches to Premium right away, and ads stop playing on your next show.
If you signed up for Peacock through a third-party service—like Comcast, T-Mobile, or Apple TV Channels—you may already have Premium included. Check your account settings to see which plan you are on. If you are unsure, contact the service you signed up through rather than Peacock directly, because they manage your subscription.
Free alternatives if you do not want to pay
If you do not want to pay for Peacock Premium, your options are limited. You can watch the free plan and accept the ads, or you can watch other streaming services that offer free tiers without ads.
Some other platforms offer free, ad-supported content: Tubi, Pluto TV, and Freevee all have large libraries and do not require payment. These services make money from ads, so ads are part of the experience, but they may have different content than Peacock. None of them will give you access to Peacock's exclusive shows and movies.
If you want Peacock content specifically but do not want to pay monthly, watch during promotional periods. Peacock occasionally offers free trials or discounted rates for new subscribers, especially around holidays or when bundled with other services. These offers change throughout the year.
Why some shows still have ads on Premium
Peacock Premium removes ads from most content, but certain shows and movies still carry ads even if you pay. This happens because of licensing deals between Peacock and the studios or networks that own the content. When Peacock buys the right to show a program, the contract sometimes requires ads to stay in place.
Live sports is the most common example. Peacock carries some live sports events, and those broadcasts include ads even on the Premium plan. The same applies to some licensed movies and shows that come from other networks. Peacock tells you which content includes ads before you click play, so you can decide whether to watch.
This is not a glitch or a way for Peacock to sneak ads past you. It is a contractual requirement that Peacock has to follow. If ad-free viewing is essential for you, check the show details before you start watching, or choose a different show that does not carry ads.
Checking your current subscription plan
To see whether you are on the free plan or Peacock Premium, open the app or website and go to your account settings. Look for a section labeled "Subscription" or "Plan." This page shows your current plan and when your next billing date is.
If you are on the free plan, you will see an option to upgrade. If you are already on Premium, the page will confirm that and show your renewal date. If you are not sure whether you are paying or not, this is the fastest way to check.
If you subscribed through a third-party service like Comcast or T-Mobile, your account settings may show "Premium" but direct you to manage your subscription through that service instead. In that case, log into your Comcast or T-Mobile account to change or cancel your subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an ad blocker to skip ads on Peacock?
Ad blockers do not work reliably on Peacock and may cause the app or website to stop working. Peacock detects ad blockers and may refuse to play content if one is active. Using an ad blocker also violates Peacock's terms of service, so it is not a safe workaround.
Does Peacock Premium cost the same on all devices?
Peacock Premium costs the same whether you subscribe through the app, the website, or a third-party service. However, if you subscribe through Apple's App Store or Google Play, you may pay a slightly higher price because those platforms take a cut. Subscribing directly through Peacock's website is usually the cheapest option.
What happens to my account if I cancel Peacock Premium?
If you cancel, your account reverts to the free plan when ready. You lose access to Premium-only content and ads return on your next show. You can resubscribe at any time, and your watch history and saved shows stay on your account.
Are there any free trials for Peacock Premium?
Peacock occasionally offers free trials, but these are not always available. Check the Peacock website or app for current promotions. If you have a Comcast, T-Mobile, or other bundled service, you may already have Premium included at no extra cost.