Peacock Review: Plans, New Higher Prices, and Your Favorite NBC Content + Live Sports

When Peacock debuted in 2020, it was a surprisingly affordable streaming option due to its unprecedented “free” tier. Just by watching some ads, users could gain access to a big chunk of the platform’s library, much like how free, ad-supported television (FAST) services work today.

However, rather than going the FAST direction, Peacock discontinued its free tier and raised the prices of its other plans. Its new prices are more in line with big names like Disney+. It’s a pretty pricey service now, but it might have the goods to back it up if you love sports or movies.

Peacock is pricier now, but has the content to back it up

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Peacock raised its prices in July 2024, putting both of its plans firmly in Disney+’s price range. When something like this happens, we reevaluate a service—we used to consider Peacock a pretty good “cheap” service, something that was worth checking out for its low price. But now its introductory price is actually more expensive than those of its competitors, and its ad-free plan is pretty extravagant as well.

So if even ad-supported Peacock is a premium service, does it provide premium content? We think Peacock could be worth it for a lot of people. Sports fans will get a lot out of it. The 2024 price happened conspicuously just before the 2024 Olympics, of which Peacock offers an unprecedented amount of coverage. And it’s the best way to go for cord-cutters who want on-demand access to NBC content.

We also think the price is worth it if you’re looking to watch new movies soon after they come out. Thanks to Peacock’s connection with Universal Pictures, you can avoid going to the theater entirely without feeling too left out of the cultural zeitgeist. It’s cheaper than buying multiple movie tickets every month, and even better, you can bring your own snacks.

Peacock isn’t for everyone, though—if you’re subscribed to too many services and want to start axing your monthly bills, this might be on the chopping block. It doesn’t have as many glamorous, must-watch titles like Netflix, Max, and Hulu do. Peacock’s tastes are a little more niche than Bridgerton or The Bear, but we’ve got some recommendations if you’re up for it.

Save money with Peacock promos

Unfortunately, Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial, so you’re out of luck if you want to try the service before committing to its higher prices.

Sometimes Peacock will team up with internet companies like Spectrum or Xfinity to give their customers free subscriptions for a period of months or even years.

Peacock also offers discounts for students ($1.99/mo. for 12 months), first responders ($1.99/mo. for 12 months), the military ($2.99/mo. for 12 months), and teachers ($2.99/mo. for 12 months).

Peacock carries titles from USA Network, Syfy, NBC, and more

Like most streaming services, Peacock’s library of licensed titles change from month to month. But you can usually count on some popular kids’ movie franchises like Shrek and Despicable Me to stick around for a while.

And when it comes to new shows, you can expect next-day releases of shows from NBC and Bravo. Peacock also has a decent-sized offering of original titles, although with a few exceptions (Love Island USA, Poker Face) they don’t make too much of a cultural splash.

Waiting until that new movie comes to streaming? Peacock has your back

In our opinion, one of the best perks of a Peacock subscription is how quickly theatrical releases come to streaming. All of Universal Pictures’ movies come to Peacock about two months after they debut in theaters. A subscription to Regal Unlimited can cost $18.99–$23.99/mo., and a subscription to AMC Stubs A-List can cost $19.95–$24.95/mo. If you don’t mind waiting a month or two, Peacock’s $7.99–$13.99/mo. price tag is the cheaper option.

These titles are all indicated by a “streaming only on Peacock” label, but there’s not always an easy way to view them as a group within Peacock’s interface. And they don’t stick around forever—Five Nights at Freddy’s, which debuted on Peacock simultaneously with its theatrical debut, is no longer on the service as of writing.

Peacock is the best place for NBC sports and Olympics coverage

Peacock also features a ton of live sports, like Premier League soccer, the Olympics, and WWE Entertainment (pro wrestling is a sport—at least, according to my well-informed coworkers).

Head to our Peacock sports guide for more information.

What do customers think of Peacock?

Peacock did very well in our 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey, tying with Discovery+ for second place in overall satisfaction. Customers generally like what the Peacock experience has to offer, and think it’s worth the cost.

However, it’s worth noting that we took this survey while the service was still very cheap compared to its competitors. Now that Peacock is charging premium prices, those customers might feel different. We’re hard at work analyzing our 2025 survey results, and will keep you updated with our findings.

Is Peacock easy to use?

While customers like Peacock overall, they do feel that its user experience (UX) is more meh than medal worthy. In our 2024 survey, it tied for 5th place in UX and 6th in reliability.

We agree with the customers on this one. If you’re looking for something brand new, super popular, or about to leave the platform, you won’t have much trouble with Peacock. But a lot of titles get buried deep within its library, and are only accessible if you know to search for them directly.

This discoverability problem isn’t unique to Peacock; It’s the entire reason we have so many What To Watch pages. But it’s still something we think about whenever we sit down to find something to watch (without knowing exactly what).

Also, as of writing, the algorithm is currently really trying to push Hallmark Christmas movies at me, putting them in multiple categories and the “for you” section. It would probably make a lot more sense if it wasn’t currently the middle of July, and if I had ever watched Hallmark Christmas movies on Peacock.

Peacock FAQ

Disclaimer:
Xfinity Streamsaver: To access Netflix, Apple TV+, and Peacock, activation of an account for each service required. Subject to terms of use of each streaming service. Internet delivered service will count against any Xfinity data plan, if applicable. Management of any existing subscriptions may be required to avoid multiple active subscriptions and corresponding charges. If you have an existing Netflix subscription in a bundle with a third party, manage your account to avoid multiple subscriptions. Existing paid Peacock or Apple TV+ subscriptions billed by a third party may continue unless and until you cancel. You may not receive any refunds/credits for overlapping subscription periods.