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Peacock: What we know so far
NBCUniversal joins the world of streaming to bring you hours of your favorite network TV and movies.
Peacock combines cable TV with the personalization you can only find with Internet TV. Watch hours of your favorite shows and movies without paying a dime — or spring for the $4.99 a month premium plan with no ads.
What's in this review?
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stream for free. Access all content for free, with ads.
- Access the shows brought to you by NBC and Universal.
- Sports. Stream live sports and the Tokyo Olympics
Cons
- Ads. Free streaming is only possible with a few ads.
- No free-trial. There’s no option to try before you buy if you upgrade to a premium service.
Peacock claims to offer the industry’s lightest ad-load, with a limit of five minutes every hour. And it manages how often you see the same ads with a frequency cap.
When is Peacock coming out?
Expect an early version of Peacock Premium to current Xfinity and Flex TV customers on April 15, 2020.
Peacock officially launches its streaming service featuring all of its service tiers on July 15, 2020.
What features does Peacock offer?
In addition to offering a familiar selection of programs for free, Peacock offers a few other features:
Parental controls
Peacock states its streaming service is designed for viewers over 13 years old. It also notifies you every time your child accesses Peacock. However, you can’t block certain shows and movies from the platform.
Extra details
Clicking on a program lets you dig in to info like the cast list, their “Best of” video snippets and “Top 20” episodes, along with other programs actors played in.
Rotten Tomatoes scores
Peacock incorporates a Rotten Tomato (RT) score that appears when you hover over each title. A curated list of RT scores is also available within the app.
Voice control
With its voice control feature, you can search for programs and automatically send things to your phone with your voice.
What devices are compatible with Peacock?
It’s not clear which devices will stream Peacock, but we expect you can download the Peacock app through any device, and be compatible on mobile, browsers, smart TV- and TV-connected devices.
How much does Peacock cost?
Upon the April launch, Peacock streaming service is completely free, with a premium While you have the ability to stream 1,000+ hours for free, Peacock provides two different Premium plans to give you options.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free | 7,500 hours of content, ads |
| Premium (ads) | $4.99 a month | 15,000 hours of content, ads |
| Premium (ad-free) | $9.99 a month | 15,000 hours of content, no ads |
Free trial
There is no mention of a free trial on Peacock’s main page if you choose to upgrade from the free version. But look out for this option after its launch.
Is premium worth it?
Either premium version gives you more hours to watch content with. While the highest premium tier offers streaming without ads, Peacock ads aren’t expected to last longer than five minutes per hour. The biggest difference between the tiers is the number of hours to stream. So, if you share your account and need more hours, than switching to the premium tier is worth it.
What can I watch with Peacock?
Peacock can best be described as a broadcast network disguised as a streaming service. A library with a variety of titles is expected, including a full list of Universal movies, and live coverage of major events like the 2020 Olympics and the 2020 Election. The NBC live content is what will set them apart, offering current TV series and long-running programs like Saturday Night Live.
In addition to the movies Lost in Translation, E.T and Despicable Me, you can expect to find late night TV programs like Jimmy Fallon and The Amber Ruffin Show. Dick Wolf titles like Law & Order and Chicago P.D. are set to be exclusive to Peacock as well.
A few original Peacock titles to look forward to are:
- Battlestar Galactica
- Girls 5 eva
- Saved by the Bell (remake)
- Rutherford Falls
How much data does Peacock use?
The restrictions your Internet service provider (ISP) puts on your data will determine how much you will need to stream content through Peacock. Peacock encourages you to check in with your ISP to verify whether you have enough data for streaming content.
Compare streaming services
If you’re looking to learn more about other streaming services, you can check out our Internet TV page and find the right service for you.
Frequently asked questions
Expert review
Review by
Alex Shea
alexius.shea@findercrew.comAlex Shea is a tech and telco writer for Finder, helping readers to break down the details of streaming TV, gaming, sports and more. A storyteller through and through, Alex’s work is published in Allbodies and Obsev Studios. She’s also the author of I Don’t Know Yet, a book of poetry and prose. She’s completing her degree in environmental science and traveling every chance she gets.
Expert review
If you’re someone who’s found it hard to cut the cable cord because you want access to network favorites, queue up for the release of NBC’s Peacock. Live coverage of some of the biggest network events like the 2020 election, Tokyo Olympics and broadcast sports is what sets this streaming service apart from streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.