Peacock is a popular streaming service that notably marketed itself as the first service with a free option for streaming, boasting a huge catalog of acclaimed movies and television shows. It was developed a subsidiary of the television network NBC in 2020, named after the animal that appears in the company’s logo. The service quickly grew in popularity thanks to the wide range of projects that were available for free, including several original series that were being released to rave reviews from both critics and general audiences.
Peacock remains an incredibly successful service, though audiences now have questions about whether it can still be accessed for free. The feature was undeniably one of Peacock’s biggest draws when it was first launched in 2020, but the model allowed countless consumers to use the service without paying anything - leaving the company to rely solely on advertising for revenue. But as Peacock still ranks near the top of the streaming service charts, some people may be wondering if they are still offering their catalog for free.
Peacock Is No Longer Free To New Subscribers
Beginning in February 2023, Peacock is no longer free to new subscribers. The free ad-ed tier has been completely removed from the service, leaving s to select from the or Plus tiers instead, where they can still access all the movies and television shows that were there before, but for a cost. The decision came after NBCUniversal announced that Comcast Cable and Cox customers would no longer be given free access to Peacock , which was a huge draw for the company.
While removing the free tier might harm Peacock in the short term, the decision was made to help the company focus on its paid plans and help grow the platform for a more successful future (via Variety). Luckily, even Peacock is less expensive than most other streaming services on the market, so the decision doesn’t really put the company at any competitive disadvantage. As such, there hasn’t been any major fall in subscribers following the decision, proving that it was an effective financial move.
Peacock's Other Subscription Plans: & Plus
Once the free ad-ed tier was removed from Peacock, the only remaining plans were and Plus. The main difference between these plans, except for their price, is that Plus doesn’t include ads. still gets you access to the entire catalog of movies and television, but ads will play for a short time before viewing. The subscription comes in at $4.99/month plus tax, while Plus will cost an extra $5/month for a total of $9.99/month plus tax. The presence of ments is the only clear difference between the two tiers.
What Devices Peacock Can Be Watched On
Luckily, Peacock is available on a wide variety of devices, regardless of the payment plan that you choose. Every movie and show can be streamed on the latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browser on PC and Mac. For those who’d rather catch up with their entertainment on tablets or mobile, the service is ed by iOS 14 or above on Apple devices and 6.0 or above on Android. Peacock can also be accessed on streaming devices (such as Apple TV and Chromecast), gaming consoles (such as Xbox One and Playstation 4), or cable providers (such as Cox and Xfinity).
Movies On Peacock
Peacock has some of the best movies of any available streaming service, ranging from ‘90s classics like Jumanji and Notting Hill, to more recent hits such as M3GAN and Knock at the Cabin. It doesn’t focus on any particular genre or time era, which makes its catalog accessible to all audiences regardless of what they’re searching for. The service also hosts plenty of critically-acclaimed classics, such as Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation and Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, which sets Peacock apart from much of its competition with a genuinely impressive roster of award-winning movies for all audiences.
TV Shows On Peacock
Peacock also houses some great TV shows in its extensive catalog, comprised of both classic series’ and original projects that were created exclusively for the service. It’s notorious for being one of the few places that houses iconic sitcoms such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, which audiences are always returning to. But on the more dramatic side, Peacock subscribers will also have access to critically-acclaimed shows including Yellowstone, Friday Night Lights, and Bates Motel. Another of Peacock’s huge draws is its portfolio of long-running classic series, including Murder, She Wrote and the Law & Order franchise.
Like many streaming services, Peacock has also released plenty of original content since it began in 2020, all of which remains exclusive to the service. These include Rian Johnson’s crime comedy Poker Face starring Natasha Lyonne, the medical thriller, Doctor Death, and the young adult mystery phenomenon One of Us is Lying. Most of the Peacock originals have been fairly successful, fitting in nicely with the service’s existing projects.
Live Sports On Peacock
Alongside all the movies and TV shows that Peacock subscribers will have access to, the service is also renowned for its control over live sports and popular athletic events. With either of the or Plus subscription tiers, s can access live games from sports divisions such as the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and even NASCAR racing. On the international front, Peacock also streams games from the English Premier League and several tournaments in golf and rugby.
One of Peacock’s most exclusive features is undoubtedly its Olympic coverage, with every single event at the 2024 ceremony being available to stream on the service with either of its tier plans (via Peacock). This gives Peacock a huge advantage over its competitors in the industry and will certainly be a massive success for the service when the games roll around. It’s one of several international events that’s covered exclusively by Peacock, with others including the PGA Championship and FIFA Women’s World Cup. The company’s focus on sports instead of just film and television gives it a valuable niche in the industry that many other streaming services haven’t found.