Is Peacock worth it in 2026? Peacock raised prices on every plan in August, which was its fourth price increase in four years, and the Premium tier now costs $12.99/month. Whether that’s a fair price depends on whether you watch its sports and NBC content or just want a general streaming library.
This review is based on published pricing and plan details rather than personal use, so double-check the numbers on Peacock’s site before subscribing. It fits alongside my streaming service comparison, and it connects to my Walmart+ review, since Walmart+ members can pick a free streaming perk that includes Peacock.
This is part of my ongoing series reviewing subscriptions and software to help you figure out what’s worth paying for.
Note: Peacock changed its pricing in August 2026, and a few older articles still list the previous rates. Double-check current details directly on peacocktv.com before subscribing.
Peacock Pricing in 2026
Peacock’s own price-increase page lists these US monthly prices, effective August 18, 2026 for new and returning subscribers:
- Peacock Select: $8.99/month, up from $7.99, or $89.99/year
- Peacock Premium: $12.99/month, up from $10.99, or $129.99/year
- Peacock Premium Plus: $19.99/month, up from $16.99, or $199.99/year
Existing subscribers move to the new price on their first billing date on or after September 17, 2026, and annual subscribers or anyone on a promotion keep their current price until that plan or offer ends. College students can get Peacock for $5.99/month instead of the standard $12.99 rate.
The annual plans work out to about two months free. For example, twelve months of Premium at the monthly rate costs $155.88, versus $129.99 for the annual plan.
What Each Plan Includes
- Select: current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows plus library titles, but no movies, no live sports, and no Peacock Originals
- Premium: the full catalog, including movies, live sports and events, and Originals, with ads
- Premium Plus: the same catalog mostly without ads, plus offline downloads and access to your local NBC station
Peacock also retired its free ad-supported tier for new subscribers, so all current plans are paid.
Is Peacock Worth It? Here’s What Matters Most
Peacock’s main draw is live sports and events. Premium and Premium Plus carry things like Sunday Night Football, the NBA, and Premier League matches, and one caveat applies to both tiers: broadcast ads stay in during live sports even on Premium Plus. So if you’re considering the upgrade mainly to avoid ads during games, it won’t help.
The upgrade from Premium to Premium Plus is really about on-demand shows, offline downloads, and local NBC access. If you mostly watch live sports, Premium is usually the smarter buy.
Who Should Get Peacock
Is Peacock worth it for your household? It tends to make sense for:
- Live sports fans who want events streamed without cable
- Fans of NBC and Bravo shows who like having current and past seasons on demand
- Walmart+ members, who may be able to get Peacock as a free perk (check which plan tier it covers)
Who Should Skip It
- People who don’t follow sports or NBC and Bravo content, since that’s where Peacock is strongest
- Anyone already juggling several streaming services, where Peacock is often the first one worth pausing between seasons
- Viewers who mostly want a big movie library, where Netflix or Disney+ tend to be a better fit
Peacock vs Other Streaming Services
| Service | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Peacock Premium | $12.99/month | Live sports, NBC and Bravo shows |
| Netflix (with ads) | $8.99/month | Broad variety, constant new releases |
| HBO Max (with ads) | $10.99/month | Prestige TV |
| Disney+ / Hulu bundle | $11.99/month | Family content, Marvel and Star Wars |
Peacock sits in the middle on price, and its value depends much more on what you watch than most of the others. For a fuller side-by-side, see my Netflix vs Disney+ vs HBO Max comparison.
The Rotation Strategy
Since you can cancel anytime, Peacock works well as a seasonal subscription. Sign up for the sports season or the show you want, then pause until the next thing you care about. Just note that if you’re on a promotional rate, switching plans forfeits the promotion, so it’s usually better to let the promotion run out first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Peacock cost in 2026? Is Peacock worth it at the new prices? Select is $8.99/month, Premium is $12.99/month, and Premium Plus is $19.99/month, after the price increase that took effect August 18, 2026.
Is Peacock Premium or Premium Plus better? Premium Plus is mostly ad-free for on-demand shows and adds downloads and local NBC access, but live sports still carry ads. If you mostly watch live sports, Premium is usually enough.
Is there a free Peacock plan? Not for new subscribers. Peacock retired its free tier, so all current plans are paid.
Is the annual plan cheaper? Yes, roughly two months free. Premium is $129.99/year versus $155.88 paid monthly.
Can I get Peacock through Walmart+? Walmart+ members can choose a free Peacock or Paramount+ subscription as a perk. Check which plan tier is covered before counting it as a savings.
Final Verdict
Is Peacock worth it in 2026? For sports fans and people who love NBC and Bravo shows, yes, Premium at $12.99/month is reasonable value. For everyone else, it’s one of the easier streaming services to skip or rotate in and out.
If you’re unsure, start with Premium, and only step up to Premium Plus if you really want offline downloads or fewer ads on on-demand shows. Before committing, add it to your regular subscription audit.
My rating: 3.8/5, good for sports and NBC fans, easy to skip for everyone else
