The two ways to skip ads on Peacock

Peacock offers two subscription tiers that let you avoid ads: Peacock Premium Plus and Peacock Premium with an ad-free add-on. Peacock Premium Plus is the simpler choice—it costs more per month but includes ad-free viewing built in. If you already have Peacock Premium (the standard paid tier), you can pay an additional monthly fee to remove ads from that account instead of upgrading entirely. Both routes eliminate ads from all content, including live sports and on-demand shows.

The free Peacock tier always includes ads and has no option to remove them. If you are currently using the free version, you must move to a paid plan to watch without interruptions.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock Premium Plus includes ad-free viewing as part of the subscription and costs more than standard Premium.
  • Peacock Premium subscribers can add an ad-free upgrade to their existing account for a lower monthly cost than switching to Premium Plus.
  • The free Peacock tier cannot be upgraded to remove ads—you must purchase a paid subscription.
  • Both ad-free options remove ads from live sports, on-demand shows, and all other Peacock content.

Peacock Premium Plus: the all-in-one ad-free option

Peacock Premium Plus is the subscription tier designed for viewers who want no ads from the start. When you sign up for Premium Plus, your account is ad-free when ready—there is nothing else to buy or toggle on. You get access to all Peacock content, including live sports, exclusive shows, movies, and the full back catalog, all without commercial breaks.

Premium Plus costs more per month than standard Premium, but the price varies depending on whether you pay monthly or commit to an annual plan. Check your Peacock account settings or the pricing page to see current rates in your region, as Peacock adjusts pricing periodically. If you are already a Premium subscriber and want to switch to Premium Plus, you can upgrade directly in your account—Peacock will prorate the difference if you are mid-billing cycle.

Adding ad-free viewing to Peacock Premium

If you already pay for Peacock Premium (the standard paid tier), you do not have to switch plans. Instead, you can add an ad-free upgrade to your existing subscription. This costs less per month than Premium Plus and keeps your current account intact—your watchlist, saved shows, and preferences stay the same.

To add the ad-free upgrade, open your Peacock account, go to Settings, and look for the subscription or billing section. You should see an option to add or upgrade to ad-free viewing. Select it, confirm the additional monthly charge, and the ads will stop on your next page refresh or when you restart the app. If you do not see this option in Settings, you can also visit the Peacock pricing page and select the ad-free add-on from there.

What content is actually ad-free

Once you have an ad-free subscription or add-on, ads disappear from nearly all Peacock content. This includes on-demand movies and shows, live sports events, news programs, and reruns. The only exception is certain live sports events that carry contractual restrictions—in rare cases, a sports broadcast may require ads even on ad-free accounts, but Peacock notifies you before the event starts if this applies.

Ad-free viewing also removes ads from the Peacock home screen and menu areas. You will not see promotional banners for other shows or services interrupting your browsing, though Peacock may still suggest content based on your watch history.

Checking your current subscription status

To confirm whether your account is ad-free or still has ads, open Peacock and tap your profile icon in the top right corner (on mobile) or bottom right (on web). Select "Account" or "Settings," then look for "Subscription" or "Billing." Your current plan will be listed there—it will say "Premium Plus" or "Premium with Ad-Free" if ads are turned off, or just "Premium" if you still have ads.

If you are unsure whether you have added the ad-free upgrade, this is the fastest way to check. You can also start playing any show or movie; if ads appear before or during playback, your account still has ads enabled.

Downgrading or canceling your subscription

If you add the ad-free upgrade to Premium and later decide you want to remove it, you can cancel just the add-on while keeping your Premium subscription active. Go to Account or Settings, find your subscription details, and look for an option to remove or downgrade the ad-free add-on. Peacock will stop charging you for it at the end of your current billing cycle, and ads will return to your account.

If you want to cancel your entire Peacock subscription (whether Premium, Premium Plus, or any add-ons), you can do that in the same Settings area. Peacock does not charge you again after cancellation, though you will lose access to paid content when ready. Any free Peacock content remains available if you log back in later without a paid plan.

Why ads appear even on paid accounts

If you have a paid Peacock subscription but still see ads, the most common reason is that you have not yet added the ad-free upgrade or switched to Premium Plus. Check your subscription status in Settings to confirm which plan you are on. Another possibility is that your billing information failed or your payment was declined—if your subscription lapsed, Peacock may have downgraded you to the free tier, which always has ads.

If your subscription is current and you are on Premium Plus or Premium with ad-free, but ads still appear, try logging out and back in, or uninstalling and reinstalling the Peacock app. Sometimes the app cache does not update when ready after a subscription change. If ads persist after these steps, contact Peacock support through your account settings—they can verify your subscription status and troubleshoot the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VPN or ad blocker to remove Peacock ads?

Ad blockers and VPNs do not reliably remove Peacock ads, and using them may violate Peacock's terms of service. Peacock detects and blocks many ad-blocking tools, and attempting to use them can result in your account being restricted or suspended. The intended way to watch without ads is to purchase an ad-free subscription.

Does Peacock Premium Plus include anything else that Premium does not?

Peacock Premium Plus is primarily distinguished by the lack of ads. Both Premium and Premium Plus include access to the same content library, live sports, and features. The main difference is that Premium Plus removes ads, while Premium does not—unless you add the ad-free upgrade separately.

What happens to my saved shows and watchlist if I upgrade to Premium Plus?

Your watchlist, saved shows, and viewing history stay exactly the same when you upgrade from Premium to Premium Plus or add the ad-free upgrade. Peacock does not reset your account or preferences when you change subscription tiers. Your account information is tied to your email, not your subscription level.

Can I share my Peacock account with family members if I have ad-free?

Peacock allows multiple profiles on a single account, and all profiles on that account inherit the same subscription tier. If your account is ad-free, anyone using a profile on your account will watch without ads. However, Peacock's terms of service restrict account sharing to members of your household, and the company monitors for unauthorized sharing across different locations.

Is there a free trial for Premium Plus or the ad-free add-on?

Peacock occasionally offers free trial periods for Premium or Premium Plus, but these promotions change and are not always available. Check the Peacock website or your account to see if a trial is currently offered in your region. If you are already a Premium subscriber, Peacock does not typically offer a free trial for the ad-free add-on—you pay the monthly rate when ready.