Peacock Premium is NBCUniversal's $4.99/month ad-supported streaming tier, and for most people, it is worth paying for if you want the full NBC library, live sports, and Peacock Originals at the lowest possible price. The decision comes down to whether you can tolerate ads and whether you need offline downloads, which require the $9.99/month Premium Plus plan.
What is Peacock Premium and how much does it cost?
Peacock Premium is the middle subscription tier from NBCUniversal, offering access to over 60,000 hours of content for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It sits between the free Peacock tier and the ad-free Peacock Premium Plus plan. Here is a quick comparison of all three plans:
| Feature | Peacock (Free) | Peacock Premium | Peacock Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $4.99/month or $49.99/year | $9.99/month or $99.99/year |
| Access to 40,000+ hours of content | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Over 50 always-on channels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 60,000+ hours of exclusive content | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Live sports and events | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Next-day access to current NBC shows | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Offline viewing on mobile | ✓ | ||
| No ads (for most content) | ✓ |
Peacock free tier: what you get without paying
The free Peacock plan gives you over 40,000 hours of content and more than 50 always-on channels, all supported by ads. You can watch popular shows like 30 Rock and The Office, plus news, kids' programming, and some sports channels. However, more than 60,000 additional hours of content, including Peacock Originals, next-day NBC shows, and live sports, are locked behind the paid tiers. The free tier is a solid baseline, especially if you are looking for the 15 best free TV streaming apps that are legit and safe, but it is limited compared to what Premium offers.
Peacock Premium: the $4.99 plan explained
Upgrading to Peacock Premium unlocks over 60,000 more hours of content, including Peacock Originals like Brave New World and Intelligence. You get next-day access to current NBC shows such as Saturday Night Live and House, plus live sports including Premier League matches and WWE events. The catch is that ads remain in this tier, and you cannot download content for offline viewing. Peacock Premium does not include offline viewing; only Premium Plus allows downloads for select titles. The annual plan costs $49.99, saving you roughly $10 compared to paying monthly. Xfinity and Cox subscribers may qualify for Peacock Premium at no additional cost by linking their accounts.
Peacock Premium Plus: ad-free at $9.99
Peacock Premium Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and adds two key benefits: ad removal for most content and the ability to download select titles on mobile devices for offline viewing. If you hate commercials or need to watch on a plane or commute without an internet connection, this is the tier you want. Xfinity and Cox subscribers can upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus for only $4.99 monthly. The annual plan saves about 17% compared to the monthly rate.
Where is Peacock available?
Peacock is available in the United States and select U.S. territories. The included territories are American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Peacock is not currently available outside these areas.
Peacock Premium compatible devices
Peacock works on a wide range of devices. On mobile, you need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later, or an Android phone or tablet running Android OS 6.0 or above. You can also stream through web browsers on Windows PC, Mac, or Chrome OS. Supported browsers include Safari 12+, MS Edge 80+, Firefox 88+, and Chrome 75+. For TVs and streaming devices, Peacock supports Android Smart TVs. Android TV devices require Android OS 5.1 or above. Amazon Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices require Fire OS 5 or above. Apple TV HD requires 4th Gen or above running tvOS 13 or above. Chromecast requires 1st Generation device or above, including Chromecast with Google TV. Hisense VIDAA 2021 or newer devices are supported. LG Smart TVs require WebOS 3.5 or later. Samsung Smart TVs require 2017 or later models. Vizio TV requires Smartcast 2.0 or 3.0 from 2016 or later. Specific Roku models supported: Roku 2 (4210X only), Roku 3 & 4 (4200X or above), Roku Streaming Stick (3600X or above), Roku Express/Express+ (3900X or above), Roku Premiere/Premiere+ (3920X or above), Roku Ultra/Ultra LT (4640X or above), Roku TV and Smart Soundbar (5000X or above). Gaming consoles include PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Popular shows, movies, and sports on Peacock
Peacock's library includes major titles like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Downton Abbey. Movie highlights include Fast & Furious 9, Jurassic World 3, Back to the Future, Bridesmaids, Mamma Mia, Jaws, and E.T. For sports fans, Peacock Premium streams Premier League matches and exclusive non-live WWE events.
Pros and cons of Peacock Premium
Pros: Peacock Premium offers a large exclusive library at a low price, next-day access to NBC shows, and a free tier option for those who want to test the service. The annual plan provides additional savings.
Cons: Ads remain in the Premium tier, offline downloads are not included unless you upgrade to Premium Plus, and Peacock no longer offers a documented free trial for its paid plans.
How to sign up for Peacock Premium
To create an account, go to the Peacock website and click the join button. Fill in your email, password, and name, then create your account. You can start watching the free tier immediately. To upgrade to Peacock Premium, go to your account page, select the upgrade option, choose the Premium plan, and enter your payment information.
Verdict: is Peacock Premium worth it?
Peacock Premium is worth it if you are an NBC superfan who wants the full library, Peacock Originals, and live sports at a low monthly price. The free tier is a strong alternative if you are on a tight budget and can live without premium content. If you cannot stand ads or need offline viewing, the Premium Plus ad-free option is the better choice despite the higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Peacock Premium outside the United States?
It is not officially supported in other countries.
Does Peacock Premium include live TV channels?
Yes, Peacock Premium includes over 50 always-on channels with news, sports, and entertainment programming, plus live sports events like Premier League matches.
How many devices can stream Peacock Premium at the same time?
Peacock's official documentation does not specify exact simultaneous-stream limits, so this information is not currently documented.
Can I cancel Peacock Premium anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your Peacock Premium subscription at any time. After canceling, you will still have access to Premium content until the end of your current billing cycle, then your account will revert to the free tier.
Is there a free trial for Peacock Premium?
Peacock previously offered a 7-day free trial, but it has since withdrawn that offer. The free tier remains available as a no-cost way to sample the service.
