Peacock has two paid tiers: Premium at $5.99 per month with ads, and Premium Plus at $11.99 per month ad-free

Peacock, NBC's streaming service, offers a free tier with limited content, but most current shows and movies require a paid subscription. The two paid options differ mainly in whether you see advertisements during playback. Both tiers give you access to the same library of shows, movies, sports, and news — the difference is the viewing experience and what you can download to watch offline.

Peacock also runs promotional offers periodically, particularly around holidays or for new sign-ups. These often reduce the first month or two to $0.99 or $1.99, though the regular monthly price resumes after the promotion ends. Some internet and phone providers, including Comcast and Cox, bundle Peacock Premium at no extra cost with certain service packages, so checking your existing bills may reveal you already have access.

Key Takeaways

  • Premium costs $5.99 per month and includes ads during shows and movies; Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month with no ads.
  • Both paid tiers access the same content library — the only difference is whether advertisements play during viewing.
  • Peacock Premium Plus allows you to download episodes and movies to watch offline, while the ad-supported tier does not.
  • Some internet providers bundle Peacock Premium free with their service packages, so review your current bills before paying separately.
  • Promotional rates of $0.99 or $1.99 for the first month appear regularly but revert to the standard monthly price after the offer period ends.

What each paid tier includes

The Premium tier at $5.99 per month gives you access to Peacock's full content library — thousands of hours of NBC shows, movies, sports (including Premier League soccer and WWE), news, and original series. You can stream on up to four devices at once, though only one stream can play at a time per account. Ads run before, during, and after content, similar to traditional broadcast television. You cannot download content to watch offline.

The Premium Plus tier at $11.99 per month removes advertisements entirely and adds the ability to download up to 25 titles at a time to your phone or tablet for offline viewing. You still get four simultaneous streams and access to the same full library. Premium Plus is the choice if you commute, travel frequently, or find ads disruptive enough to justify the extra $6 per month.

The free tier exists but has significant limits: roughly half the content library, lower video quality, and ads throughout. Most people who use Peacock regularly move to a paid tier within weeks because the free version excludes current-season NBC shows and most movies.

Annual payment options and how they compare

Peacock offers annual billing for both tiers, which costs less per month than paying monthly. Premium annual is $59.99 per year (roughly $5 per month), and Premium Plus annual is $119.99 per year (roughly $10 per month). If you know you will use Peacock for a full year, paying annually saves you between $12 and $24 compared to twelve monthly payments.

You can switch between monthly and annual billing at any time, though Peacock prorates charges if you upgrade mid-cycle. For example, if you pay monthly for Premium and switch to Premium Plus annual mid-month, you pay the difference between what you already paid and the annual rate. Downgrading (from Premium Plus to Premium, or from paid to free) takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

Promotional rates and bundled access

Peacock frequently runs limited-time offers, especially for new subscribers. These typically reduce the first month to $0.99 or $1.99 for either tier, or occasionally offer the first two or three months at a reduced rate. These promotions appear most often around major holidays (Black Friday, New Year's) or when Peacock launches major new content. After the promotional period ends, your account automatically renews at the regular monthly price unless you cancel.

If you subscribe to Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, or certain other internet or phone providers, check whether Peacock Premium is included free with your service package. Comcast customers with Xfinity Flex, Xfinity X1, or certain internet-only plans often have Premium included. This does not give you Premium Plus, but it eliminates the $5.99 monthly charge. Contact your provider's customer service to confirm what is included in your plan.

How to manage your subscription and billing

You manage your Peacock subscription through your account settings on the Peacock website or app. To change your tier, cancel, or view your billing history, log in and go to Account Settings, then Subscription. Changes to your plan take effect immediately if you upgrade (you pay the difference prorated to your next billing date) or at the end of your current cycle if you downgrade or cancel.

Peacock bills through the payment method you provided during sign-up — usually a credit card, debit card, or payment service like PayPal or Apple Pay. Your billing date is the same day each month (or year) that you signed up. If your payment method expires or fails, Peacock sends email reminders before suspending your account, usually giving you several days to update your payment information.

Comparing Peacock to other streaming services

Peacock's pricing sits in the middle of the streaming market. Netflix's ad-supported tier costs $6.99 per month, while its ad-free Standard plan is $15.49 per month. Disney+ costs $7.99 with ads or $13.99 ad-free. Hulu (Disney's other service) costs $7.99 with ads or $14.99 ad-free. Max (formerly HBO Max) costs $9.99 with ads or $19.99 ad-free. Amazon Prime Video costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year but includes other Prime benefits beyond streaming.

The choice between services depends on what you want to watch. Peacock is strongest for NBC content, sports, and news; Netflix for original series and films; Disney+ for family content and Marvel; Max for HBO series and films. Many people subscribe to two or three services rather than one, so the total monthly cost matters more than any single service's price.

What happens if you cancel or pause your subscription

If you cancel Peacock, your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle. You do not get a refund for the remainder of the month or year — Peacock does not offer prorated refunds for cancellations. If you cancel mid-month, you can still watch until the end of that billing period, then you lose access. Your account and watch history remain saved for 12 months, so if you resubscribe later, your saved shows and preferences are still there.

Peacock does not offer a pause or freeze option like some other services. Your only choices are to stay subscribed or cancel. If you want to stop paying temporarily, cancel and resubscribe when you are ready. Watch for promotional offers when you return — new subscribers often see better rates than existing ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Peacock account with family members?

Yes, your account allows up to four simultaneous streams, so multiple people can watch at the same time on different devices. However, Peacock's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use within a single household. Sharing with people outside your home violates the terms, though enforcement is limited. Premium Plus allows you to download content, which some people use to share shows with family members offline.

Do I have to pay for Peacock if I have cable TV?

Not necessarily. If your cable or internet provider is Comcast, Cox, or a few others, Peacock Premium may be included free with your service. Contact your provider to confirm. If your provider does not bundle it, you pay separately. Having cable does not automatically include Peacock — it depends on your specific provider and plan.

What happens to my subscription if I don't use it for a while?

Your subscription continues and you are charged every month (or year) unless you cancel. Peacock does not automatically suspend inactive accounts. If you stop using the service but forget to cancel, you will continue to be billed. Check your credit card statements regularly and cancel if you are no longer watching.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Peacock does not offer refunds for cancellations, even if you cancel immediately after signing up. Your access continues through the end of your current billing cycle, but you do not receive money back for unused time. If you signed up during a promotional period and want to cancel, do so before the promotion ends to avoid being charged the full monthly rate.

Is there a student discount for Peacock?

Peacock does not currently offer a dedicated student discount. However, some students may have access through their university's partnership with Peacock or through family plans that include Peacock bundled with other services. Check with your school's IT or student services department to see if Peacock is included in any campus benefits.