What Peacock is and who runs it

Peacock is a streaming service owned and operated by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast. It streams television shows, films, sports, and news — much of it from NBC's own networks and libraries, plus licensed content from other studios. You watch through an app on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device.

Peacock is not a free service in the way some older streaming platforms were. It offers a free tier with ads and limited content, and paid tiers that remove ads or add more shows and films. The service launched in 2020 and is now available in the United States, with some content available in select other countries.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock offers a free ad-supported tier, a $5.99-per-month ad-supported tier, and a $11.99-per-month ad-free tier, though prices may vary by promotion or region.
  • The free tier includes some NBC shows, films, and sports, but newer episodes and full seasons are usually behind the paid tiers.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and most connected TV devices, and you can stream on up to four devices at once on paid plans.
  • If you have a Comcast cable subscription, you may have Peacock Premium included at no extra cost — check your account or call your provider.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings; there is no contract or early termination fee.

The three Peacock subscription tiers and what each includes

Peacock Free is supported by ads and includes a rotating selection of older episodes, films, and some live sports. You cannot download content to watch offline, and you can stream on only one device at a time. This tier costs nothing but does not include current-season episodes of most NBC shows or the full Peacock film library.

Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month (as of 2024, though this may change) and includes ads. It adds access to more films, full seasons of many shows, and some live sports events. You can stream on up to two devices at once and download some content to watch offline. Most people who pay for Peacock choose this tier.

Peacock Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month and removes ads entirely. It includes everything in Premium Plus and allows streaming on up to four devices at the same time. If you watch with family members or on multiple screens, this tier is the one that lets everyone watch simultaneously without waiting for the other person to finish.

How to sign up and what you need

To create a Peacock account, go to peacocktv.com or open the Peacock app on your device. You will need an email address and a password. If you choose a paid tier, you will also need a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.

Peacock does not require a cable subscription to use any of its tiers. However, if you already have Comcast cable service, check your account first. Many Comcast customers receive Peacock Premium at no extra cost as part of their cable package. Call Comcast or log into your account online to see whether Peacock is included before you pay separately.

Once you sign up, you can start watching immediately. There is no waiting period, no approval process, and no credit check. If you sign up for a paid tier, your first charge appears on your statement within a few days.

Devices you can watch on and simultaneous streaming limits

Peacock works on most devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, computers (Windows and Mac), Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and LG Smart TVs. You can also watch through a web browser on peacocktv.com without downloading an app.

On the Free tier, you can stream on one device at a time. If you start watching on your phone and then open Peacock on your tablet, the app on your phone will stop. On Premium (the $5.99 tier), you can stream on two devices at once. On Premium Plus ($11.99), you can stream on four devices at the same time, which means a family of four can each watch different shows without interruption.

Peacock does not allow you to share your login with people outside your household in a way the service officially supports. If someone outside your home uses your account, you may lose access or have your account suspended. If you want multiple people to watch, each person should have their own account, or you should upgrade to Premium Plus so everyone can watch at once on the same plan.

How to cancel and what happens to your account

You can cancel your Peacock subscription at any time through your account settings. Log into peacocktv.com or open the app, go to your account or profile menu, find the subscription or billing section, and select the option to cancel. You can also call Peacock customer service, though doing it online is faster.

When you cancel, your access stops at the end of your current billing period. If you paid for a month on the 15th, you can watch until the 15th of the next month, then you lose access. Peacock does not refund partial months, and there is no penalty for canceling — you will not be charged again.

If you cancel and later want to reactivate, you can sign back in with the same email and password. Your watchlist and viewing history remain in your account for a period of time, though Peacock does not may provide how long it keeps that data after you cancel.

Peacock with Comcast cable and bundled offers

Comcast includes Peacock Premium with most cable packages at no extra charge. If you have Comcast Xfinity cable service, log into your Comcast account online or call 1-800-COMCAST to confirm whether Peacock is included. You do not need to sign up separately — your cable login credentials usually work on Peacock.

Comcast occasionally runs promotions offering free or discounted Peacock to new cable customers or as an incentive to stay. These offers vary by region and change throughout the year. If you are a Comcast customer and have not yet activated Peacock, contact Comcast to ask what is currently available to you.

If you have a different cable provider — Charter, Cox, Verizon Fios, or another company — check whether Peacock is included in your package. Some providers bundle it; others do not. Your cable provider's website or customer service line can tell you whether it is part of your plan.

Content you can watch and what is not on Peacock

Peacock carries current and past seasons of NBC shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, and Law & Order franchises. It also has films from Universal Pictures and other studios, sports like Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling, and news from NBC News and MSNBC.

What is not on Peacock: shows and films from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, or Pixar (those are on Disney+); most HBO and Warner Bros. content (on Max); most Sony films (on various services); and most sports from ESPN, the NFL, or the NBA (those require separate subscriptions or cable). Peacock's library changes regularly as licensing agreements expire and new deals are made.

The free tier includes only a fraction of Peacock's total library. If you want to watch a specific show or film, search for it on the free tier first. If it is not there, you will need Premium or Premium Plus to access it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Peacock on my TV without a smart TV?

Yes. If your TV is not a smart TV, you can use a streaming device like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast. Plug the device into your TV's HDMI port, download the Peacock app, and sign in. Most of these devices cost between $25 and $100.

What happens if I share my Peacock password with a friend?

Peacock's terms of service say accounts are for personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. If the service detects unusual activity or account sharing, it may ask you to verify your identity or suspend your access. To watch with friends, they should create their own accounts, or you should upgrade to Premium Plus so multiple people can watch at once.

Does Peacock have a free trial?

Peacock does not currently offer a free trial for its paid tiers. However, the free ad-supported tier lets you watch some content at no cost, so you can try the service before paying. Comcast sometimes offers promotional free periods for new cable customers.

Can I download shows to watch offline?

Yes, but only on Premium and Premium Plus tiers. The free tier does not allow downloads. On paid tiers, you can download some (not all) shows and films to your phone or tablet and watch them without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after a set period, usually 30 days.

What if I have a problem with my account or billing?

Contact Peacock customer service through the app or website, or call 1-844-PEACOCK. If you were charged twice or have a billing error, contact them within 30 days. If you have a Comcast cable account and Peacock is included, contact Comcast instead, as they handle your billing.