Peacock shows ads because you have a free or ad-supported paid plan
Peacock runs commercials on three of its four subscription tiers: the free plan, Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month), and Peacock Premium Plus ($11.99 per month). Only Peacock Premium Plus with ads removed ($11.99 per month, ad-free tier) eliminates commercials entirely. If you are seeing ads, you are on one of the first three plans.
The free plan and Peacock Premium both include ads as part of their standard offering. Peacock Premium Plus with ads removed is the only tier that guarantees no commercials during movies, shows, or live sports. If you want to watch without interruption, you need to upgrade to that specific tier.
Peacock also shows ads during live sports events on all plans except the ad-free Premium Plus tier. This includes NFL games, Premier League soccer, and WWE events. Even if you pay for Premium Plus with ads removed, you may still see ads during these live broadcasts because the rights agreements require them.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock's free plan and both paid plans with ads ($5.99 and $11.99 per month) include commercials; only the ad-free Premium Plus tier removes them.
- Live sports on Peacock always include ads regardless of which plan you have, because sports broadcasting agreements require them.
- You can check which plan you are on by opening the Peacock app, going to your account settings, and looking at your current subscription.
- Downgrading to the free plan will not reduce ads; the free tier actually has more commercial breaks than the paid plans.
- Peacock ads are typically 15 to 30 seconds long and appear before, during, and after content depending on the show or movie.
How to find out which Peacock plan you have
Open the Peacock app or website and tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Account" or "Settings" from the menu. Look for the line that says "Subscription" or "Current Plan" — it will show your plan name and the price you pay each month or year.
If it says "Free," you are on the free tier. If it says "Premium" with a price of $5.99 per month, you have the ad-supported paid plan. If it says "Premium Plus" with a price of $11.99 per month, check whether it also says "Ad-Free" next to it. If it does not say "Ad-Free," you still have ads even though you are paying for Premium Plus.
The difference between Peacock's four plans
Peacock offers four subscription options, and the presence of ads depends entirely on which one you choose. The free plan includes ads and limits you to 720p video quality. Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month) adds 4K streaming and offline downloads but keeps ads. Peacock Premium Plus with ads ($11.99 per month) gives you everything Premium offers but does not remove commercials. Only Peacock Premium Plus ad-free ($11.99 per month) removes ads entirely.
The confusion often happens because two tiers cost the same amount ($11.99 per month) but one has ads and one does not. When you sign up or upgrade, Peacock shows both options side by side. If you chose the cheaper option or the one that appeared first, you may have the ad-supported version without realizing it.
Some promotions also bundle Peacock into other services. If you have Comcast Xfinity, Cox, or Verizon, you may receive Peacock Premium or Premium Plus as part of your internet or phone plan. Check your account to see whether your Peacock subscription came through a bundle, because those often include ads even if the plan name suggests otherwise.
Why Peacock uses ads even on paid plans
Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, which also produces much of the content on the platform. The company uses ads to offset the cost of licensing shows and movies from other studios and to fund original programming. Unlike Netflix or Disney+, which rely entirely on subscription fees, Peacock's business model depends on advertising revenue to keep prices low.
The free plan is Peacock's main way to attract new users. By offering free access with ads, Peacock builds its audience and hopes some viewers will eventually pay to remove commercials. The paid ad-supported tiers ($5.99 and $11.99 per month) are cheaper than competitors' ad-free plans, which is why Peacock can afford to keep them.
How to upgrade to ad-free Peacock
To remove ads, you must upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus ad-free, which costs $11.99 per month. Open the Peacock app or website, go to your account settings, and select "Manage Subscription" or "Upgrade Plan." Peacock will show you all available options. Select the Premium Plus plan and make sure the description says "Ad-Free" before you confirm the purchase.
If you are already paying for Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month), upgrading to Premium Plus ad-free will increase your monthly charge to $11.99. The difference is $6 per month. Peacock does not offer a middle ground — there is no way to keep Premium and remove ads separately.
Some users receive promotional offers to upgrade at a discount. If Peacock sends you an email offering a lower price for Premium Plus ad-free, that offer is usually good for the first few months before the price returns to $11.99. Read the terms carefully to see when the regular price kicks in.
Ads during live sports and special events
Even if you pay for Peacock Premium Plus ad-free, you will still see commercials during live sports broadcasts. This includes NFL games, Premier League soccer, WWE wrestling, and other live events. The rights agreements that allow Peacock to show these events require advertising, and Peacock cannot remove them.
On-demand replays of sports events may have fewer ads than the live broadcast, but they still include commercials. If you want to watch a game without any interruption, you would need to find a clip or highlight package, which are usually shorter and have fewer ads.
What to do if you are being charged for an ad-free plan but still seeing ads
If your account says you have Premium Plus ad-free but you are still seeing commercials on regular shows or movies (not live sports), contact Peacock support. This can happen if your subscription did not upgrade properly, if you are logged into the wrong account, or if there is a technical glitch.
Before you contact support, log out of the Peacock app completely and log back in. Sometimes the app does not refresh your subscription status when ready after an upgrade. If ads continue to appear after you log back in, go to your account settings and take a screenshot of your subscription tier, then contact Peacock through the app or website.
Peacock support is available through the app under "Help & Settings" or through the website at peacocktv.com/help. Response times vary, but Peacock typically replies within one to two business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Peacock Premium Plus ad-free for less than $11.99 per month?
Peacock occasionally runs promotions offering Premium Plus ad-free at a discount for the first few months, usually around $5.99 per month for three months. After the promotional period ends, the price returns to $11.99 per month. Watch for these offers in your email or in the Peacock app under "Upgrade Plan."
Does the free Peacock plan have fewer ads than the paid plans?
No. The free plan actually has more commercial breaks than Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month). If you are willing to pay, Premium has fewer ads and better video quality. The only plan with zero ads is Premium Plus ad-free.
Why am I seeing ads on Peacock Premium Plus if I paid for ad-free?
If you are seeing ads on regular content, your subscription may not have upgraded properly, or you may be logged into a different account. Log out and log back in to refresh your subscription status. If ads continue, contact Peacock support with a screenshot of your account settings showing your subscription tier.
Do I have to watch ads during live NFL games on Peacock?
Yes. All Peacock plans, including Premium Plus ad-free, show commercials during live NFL games and other live sports events. The broadcasting rights require ads, and Peacock cannot remove them. On-demand replays may have fewer ads than the live broadcast.
What happens if I downgrade from Premium Plus to the free plan?
You will have access to the same content, but you will see more ads, and your video quality will drop to 720p. You will also lose the ability to read shows for offline viewing. Downgrading does not reduce ads — it increases them.