Yes, you can watch some of Peacock TV’s content for free, though there are limitations on the selection of shows and movies available in the free tier. Peacock TV offers a free plan, often called Peacock Free, which provides access to a limited portion of its full catalog.
Let’s take a deeper look at what you can watch for free, the limitations, and how it compares to the premium plans. I’ll also explain how to navigate Peacock Free and whether or not it’s worth your time.
What Is Peacock TV?
Before diving into the details of the free content, it’s important to understand what Peacock TV is. Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, offering a range of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, live sports, news, and exclusive content.
The service is designed to be a one-stop shop for all things NBCUniversal, with content spanning across different genres such as drama, comedy, news, and sports.
Peacock TV offers several tiers of service, with the most basic being Peacock Free, followed by Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus.
The free version allows you to access a limited selection of content without paying a dime, while the premium versions unlock a larger catalog, including exclusive shows, movies, and premium sports content.
Let’s take a look at the Peacock Free plan in more detail.
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Peacock Free: What You Can Watch
The Peacock Free plan is completely free to use and doesn’t require a subscription or credit card information. However, there are limitations on what you can access with this free plan. While it’s great for testing out the service, or for those who only want access to a small portion of Peacock’s catalog, it comes with several restrictions.
1. Content Availability
With Peacock Free, you get access to a mix of TV shows, movies, and news programming. Some of the popular content available for free includes:
- Popular TV Shows: While you won’t get access to all episodes, you can watch certain episodes of popular TV shows like The Office (up to season 3), Parks and Recreation (up to season 3), and some of NBC’s hit series. However, access to newer seasons or full libraries may be locked behind the premium tiers.
- Movies: Some movies are available in the free plan, though they are generally older titles or less popular movies. Examples include classic films and certain movies in the Universal Pictures catalog. You might find a few blockbuster hits, but the newest releases and most premium titles will be behind a paywall.
- NBC Shows: Peacock TV is home to many NBC shows, including SNL, Law & Order, This Is Us, and Chicago Med. For Peacock Free users, there is access to select seasons and episodes. Again, newer seasons of many of these shows are part of the paid tiers.
- Live News: You can access live news programming, including NBC News and MSNBC, for free. This is great for keeping up with breaking news and live updates without requiring a subscription.
- Sports Content: You also get access to some live sports content, including major events like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and some live NFL games. However, full sports seasons, like live games from the Premier League or full WWE events, are typically available only in the Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus tiers.
2. Ad-Supported Streaming
One of the most significant drawbacks of the free version is that it is ad-supported. This means you’ll have to watch commercials during your favorite shows and movies, which can disrupt the viewing experience.
The commercials are often around 5-6 minutes per hour of content, similar to traditional TV. While it might not be ideal, it’s a trade-off for getting access to free content.
3. Limited Access to Premium Content
While Peacock Free provides access to a solid range of movies, TV shows, and live programming, it doesn’t include the full catalog.
To unlock everything that Peacock has to offer—including all seasons of popular shows, exclusive originals, and a greater range of movies and sports content—you’ll need to upgrade to the Peacock Premium or Premium Plus tiers.
The Peacock Premium plan includes more content, including exclusive shows like Peacock Originals (e.g., Brave New World and A.P. Bio) and more movies. Premium users also have access to full seasons of shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and other current NBC shows, which are not available to free users.
What You Can’t Watch for Free on Peacock TV
While Peacock Free offers a decent selection of content, it leaves a lot to be desired when compared to the premium tiers. Here’s what you won’t be able to access unless you upgrade to Peacock Premium or Premium Plus:
- Full Access to Current Seasons: While you can watch certain episodes of popular NBC shows, you won’t be able to access full seasons of current TV series. Shows like Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU, and This Is Us will have episodes locked behind the paywall of Peacock Premium.
- Exclusive Originals: Some of Peacock’s exclusive original content is reserved for the Premium tiers. This includes shows like The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip and Saved by the Bell reboot. These shows are only available in the Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus plans.
- Live Sports: While there are some live sports events available on the free tier, the most significant sporting events, such as exclusive Premier League matches, the WWE Network, and the NFL games, are locked behind the Premium and Premium Plus paywalls.
- Ad-Free Streaming: One of the biggest perks of Peacock Premium Plus is the ad-free experience. If you opt for the free plan, you’ll have to endure ads, which can significantly disrupt the viewing experience.
- Full Movie Library: New releases and high-profile blockbuster movies will be restricted to the paid tiers, so if you’re hoping to stream the latest hits or high-quality films, you’ll need to consider upgrading.
How to Get Started with Peacock Free
Getting started with Peacock Free is simple, and you can enjoy a limited selection of content right away. Here’s how to get set up:
Step 1: Download the Peacock App or Go to the Website
You can start watching Peacock TV for free by downloading the app on your device (iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, etc.), or you can simply visit the Peacock website on a computer.
Step 2: Sign Up for a Free Account
To access the free content, you’ll need to create a free account. This process is simple and only requires an email address and a password. No credit card is needed for the Peacock Free plan.
Step 3: Start Watching
Once you’re signed up, you can immediately start browsing and watching content. You’ll have access to a portion of Peacock’s TV shows, movies, and news programming. Keep in mind that you’ll be watching with ads and that many of the premium features and content will be locked.
Is Peacock Free Worth It?
Whether Peacock Free is worth it depends on what you’re looking for in a streaming service.
Pros of Peacock Free:
- No Subscription Required: You get access to a portion of Peacock’s content without paying anything.
- Access to Some Popular TV Shows and Movies: You can enjoy a range of classic NBC shows and movies, making it a solid option for people who want to watch specific older content for free.
- Live News: If you’re someone who likes to stay updated with the latest news, the free version allows you to access live NBC and MSNBC programming.
Cons of Peacock Free:
- Ad-Supported: The biggest downside to the free plan is the ads, which can be intrusive and disruptive.
- Limited Access to Content: The free plan only provides access to a limited catalog of content. Newer seasons, exclusive originals, and premium sports events are unavailable unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
- Not a Comprehensive Streaming Service: For those looking for a more well-rounded streaming experience, Peacock Free might feel too limited. It’s not ideal if you’re hoping to stream a lot of content or watch the newest shows and movies.
When is Peacock Free a Good Option?
Peacock Free is a good option if you:
- Want to try out the service before committing to a subscription.
- Are okay with watching older TV shows, movies, and news content.
- Are on a budget and don’t mind watching ads.
- Don’t care much about exclusive content, new releases, or live sports.
Upgrading to Peacock Premium or Premium Plus
If you enjoy the free version but find the limitations frustrating, upgrading to a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus plan might be worth considering. The premium plans offer:
- Full access to Peacock’s entire library, including new shows and movies.
- Exclusive Peacock Originals.
- Live sports, including NFL, Premier League, WWE, and more.
- Ad-free streaming with Peacock Premium Plus.
Conclusion
Peacock Free offers a solid starting point for those who want to watch some of Peacock TV’s content without paying. You can watch a selection of NBC shows, movies