Is NBC’s streaming service Peacock TV really free to use?
With so many streaming services, there are chances you don’t want to pay for another. But you want Peacock TV. Is it really free for all?
NBCUniversal has finally entered the streaming wars. Peacock TV has launched, and now it’s time for fans to learn if it’s something worthwhile. The best part is that it’s free.
Wait, really?
Well, yes and no. There is a free element to Peacock TV, but you won’t get everything. And best of all, this isn’t some crazy free trial. It’s going to have a free element for, well, at least the foreseeable future.
What’s the catch if it’s free?
There’s always a catch, right? Nothing is life is free, is it?
There’s a sort of catch in the sense that you’ll get ads when you use the service. This isn’t anything new. CBS All Access has a lower-priced option that’s ad-supported, and Amazon has been putting “ads” (read that as trailer for its other shows) in between shows. Netflix has considered it, I believe, but nothing ever fully happened. At least, not on my Netflix!
There aren’t too many ads, by the way. You’re getting five minutes of ads per hour, which is less than you get on any of NBCUniversal’s networks.
You will be limited on the content. You’ll get access to about 13,000 hours of content without paying a penny. If you want access to the 20,000 hours of content, you’ll need to pay. Some of the TV shows have their pilot episodes locked but you can watch Episode 2 onward for free. Other shows will allow you to watch a couple of episodes for free before you need to upgrade.
It’s happening! #FlockToPeacock for great entertainment that's finally FREE! Stream now at https://t.co/xbPZGULWBf.
Stay close to our social handles today: To celebrate #PeacockTV taking flight, we’ll be giving away a flock of free stuff — announcing new freebies every hour. pic.twitter.com/BuG8qd22VT
— Peacock (@peacockTV) July 15, 2020
Two Peacock Premium models
Like CBS All Access, there are two tiers when it comes to the Peacock TV Premium option. You can get the lower-priced, ad-supported option. You’ll get all the Premium content but with some ad breaks. It’s $4.99 per month/$50 per year.
If you want to get rid of all the ads, you’ll need to go for the higher-priced tier. This is $9.99 per month/$100 per year.
Just note that the streamer isn’t available through Roku TV just yet and some customers are finding problems with the first gen Google Chromecast. If you’re planning to watch through them, you may want to stick to the free option for now until something is available.
MORE: Why Stateless Season 2 needs to happen on Netflix
Which subscription are you getting? What do you think of Peacock TV so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
