Peacock has a free tier and two paid tiers, each with different content and ad loads

Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service. The free tier shows movies, TV shows, and live sports with ads. Peacock Premium ($5.99 per month with ads, or $11.99 per month without ads) adds more movies and shows. Peacock Premium Plus ($11.99 with ads, or $19.99 without ads) includes the same content but also lets you download episodes to watch offline and removes ads from most content — though some live sports still carry ads even on the ad-free plan.

You pay month to month with no contract. You can cancel anytime through your Peacock account settings or through whatever platform you signed up on (Apple, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Roku, or directly on Peacock's website). Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

Peacock is included free with certain Comcast internet and TV packages, and with some Xfinity Mobile plans. If you have those services, check your account to see whether Premium access is already part of your plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock's free tier requires ads but costs nothing and includes movies, shows, and some live sports.
  • Premium ($5.99 with ads or $11.99 ad-free) and Premium Plus ($11.99 with ads or $19.99 ad-free) add more content and offline downloads on the higher tier.
  • You can cancel anytime through your account settings, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your billing cycle.
  • Comcast internet, TV, and Xfinity Mobile customers may already have Premium access included in their plan.

What content is on each tier

The free tier includes older movies, back seasons of NBC shows, some live sports (primarily Premier League soccer and select WWE events), and a rotating selection of full TV episodes. You cannot watch current-season NBC shows on free Peacock — those require Premium. The free tier also does not include theatrical movies released within the last year or so.

Premium and Premium Plus both unlock the same content library: current-season NBC shows the day after they air, theatrical movies (usually within four to six months of theatrical release), and the full Peacock Originals catalog. The difference between Premium and Premium Plus is offline downloads and a cleaner ad experience. Premium Plus also removes ads from most (but not all) live sports.

Live sports on Peacock include Premier League soccer, select NFL games, WWE, and some golf and horse racing. These are available on all tiers, though the ad load varies by tier.

How to sign up and set up billing

Go to peacocktv.com or download the Peacock app on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device. Click "Sign Up" and choose your tier. You will need an email address and a password. If you choose a paid tier, you will enter a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal).

Billing happens on the same day each month. If you sign up on the 15th, you will be charged on the 15th of every month going forward. Your first charge happens immediately; you do not get a free trial on paid tiers.

If you already have a Comcast, Apple, Google, Amazon, or Roku account, you can link your Peacock account to it for easier sign-in. This does not change your billing — you still pay Peacock directly unless Peacock is included in a Comcast package.

Canceling your subscription

Log into your Peacock account on any device, go to Account Settings, and select "Manage Subscription" or "Billing." Click "Cancel Subscription" and confirm. You will keep access through the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on the 10th of the month but were charged on the 5th, you can watch until the 5th of next month.

If you signed up through Apple, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, or Roku, you can also cancel through those platforms' subscription settings. The result is the same — your Peacock access ends at the end of your billing cycle.

If you are on a Comcast package that includes Peacock Premium, you cannot cancel Peacock separately. You would need to contact Comcast to remove it from your plan.

Comparing Peacock to other streaming services

Peacock competes mainly with Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Netflix and Disney+ do not have free tiers; both require a paid subscription. Hulu has a free tier with ads, similar to Peacock's free option. Netflix's cheapest paid plan ($6.99 with ads) is close to Peacock Premium's $5.99 ad-supported price, but Netflix's ad-free plan ($15.49) costs more than Peacock Premium's $11.99.

The main reason to choose Peacock is if you watch NBC shows, Premier League soccer, or WWE. If you want current-season network TV, Peacock is often cheaper than buying a cable subscription or using a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. The free tier is worth trying if you are curious but not ready to pay.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you cannot log in, reset your password on Peacock's login page. If you are still locked out, check whether you signed up with a different email address than the one you are using now. Some people create multiple Peacock accounts by accident.

If you are seeing an error message about payment, check that your card has not expired and that your billing address matches your card issuer's records. If the card is current, try a different payment method. If the problem persists, contact Peacock support through the app or website.

If the app is freezing or crashing, try closing it completely and reopening it. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the app. On smart TVs and streaming devices, restart the device itself. Make sure your internet connection is stable — Peacock requires at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Peacock account with family members?

Peacock allows one account per person, but you can watch on multiple devices at the same time with one subscription. There is no official family plan or profile system like Netflix has. If you want separate accounts for household members, each person needs their own subscription.

Does Peacock work on all devices?

Peacock is available on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Chromecast. It also works on gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. Check the Peacock website for the full list of supported devices.

What happens if I do not cancel before my next billing date?

You will be charged for another month. Peacock does not send a reminder before charging. Set a calendar alert if you plan to cancel, or check your billing date in Account Settings so you know when the charge will happen.

Is there a student discount for Peacock?

Peacock does not offer a direct student discount. However, some student plans through T-Mobile or other carriers may include Peacock Premium. Check with your carrier or school to see whether Peacock is bundled into any plan you already have.

Can I watch Peacock offline?

Only Premium Plus subscribers can download episodes to watch offline. Premium and free tier users can only stream content while connected to the internet. Downloads are available on the Peacock app on phones and tablets, not on web browsers or TV apps.