Peacock is NBCUniversal's new streaming service. And while it might just feel like yet another streaming app, it's likely to become one of your next go-to channels. Here's why its massive library, features, and subscription prices are bound to spark your interest.

Peacock offers a traditional TV browsing layout that allows you to access live streaming, on-demand shows, and trending clips that cover news, sports, and major events. Besides a competitive library, the platform also teases with anticipated promises like hosting the entire Harry Potter movie series in 2021.

How to Watch Peacock

Peacock is available on most streaming devices, except for Amazon's Fire TV Stick. It's also available on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, and comes pre-installed on smart TVs such as VIZIO SmartCast.

Download: Peacock for iOS | Android | Roku (Free, subscription available)

What to Expect From NBC's Streaming Service

Peacock Streaming Web Page

You can browse and stream from many devices, but the best way to take advantage of the platform's cable-like interface is through your TV. When accessing the service through a streaming device like Roku, you'll land on the app's main landing page, which divides programming into the following categories: Channels, Trending, Browse, Movies, TV Shows, Kids, News, Sports, and Latino.

"Channels" feel like the most promising and competitive feature of the streaming service, as it gives you the ability to browse channels like NBC News and Sports, in addition to providing you with that classic cable guide feeling everyone seems to love so much. This is an appealing perk, as most competitors only offer on-demand playback.

However, not all of the options in "Channels" are actual network channels. Instead, in this feature, Peacock has curated channels that focus on hit TV shows of all genres.

Some examples are KUWTK for Keeping Up with the Kardashians playbacks and SNL Vault, which streams hours of previously aired SNL episodes. These channels are not running live anywhere else, but the programming layout and schedule that accompanies them will make you feel like you're watching cable TV.

"Trending" is another menu feature that differentiates Peacock from other streaming services. This section features a curated list of clips covering current trends, including top news, sports headlines, the best of late-night TV, and even "A Day in History" section, leaving room for some old school television nostalgia.

Apart from your primary vertical options like "Movies" and "Kids," the "Latino" section is likely to appeal to Spanish-speaking users. Netflix and Hulu offer Spanish programming, but it's a refreshing user-friendly feature for Latin audiences to find Spanish content highlighted in the app's main landing page.

How Much Does Peacock Cost?

peacock monthly plans

Peacock offers three subscription tiers: Free, Premium, and Premium Plus. Here's what each one includes:

Free: The free tier covers ad-supported access to 13,000 out of 20,000 hours of on-demand content, as well as access to some live television streaming.

The free tier also includes access to current primetime NBC episodes a week after their original air-date. Users can also access samples of Peacock Originals and sporting events, such as the Olympic Games.

If our experience with Hulu is anything to go by, as Peacock grows in popularity, the amount of content available for free may diminish. Regardless of that potential future, now is the perfect time to explore all the app offers at this tier.

Peacock Premium: The premium feature is available for $4.99/month or $49.99/year.

Peacock Premium includes access to 20,000 hours of on-demand content with no more than five minutes of advertising per hour. This tier also contains next-day access to primetime NBC shows instead of waiting for a week later in the free tier.

Premium tier users also get exclusive access to Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Premium subscribers will also have access to a broader sports library and live exclusive sports events such as Tour de France, WWE, and others.

Peacock Premium Plus: The Premium Plus plan will set you back $9.99/month or $99.99/year. Paying for it annually will save you about $20 over the course of a year.

Premium Plus offers everything available in premium but without any ads. However, it's important to consider that a small amount of undisclosed programming will still contain ads due to streaming regulations.

For Comcast and Cox Customers

Peacock offers a free subscription to Comcast and Cox customers. This version of Peacock provides 7,500 hours of streaming content with the ability to purchase a premium subscription for $4.99/month, as well as access to a separate ad-free tier for an additional $4.99/month.

What NBC Needs to Fix About Peacock

Peacock has launched strongly in terms of the content on offer, but it still lacks some developments such as 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos, and mobile downloads allowing you to watch content offline and on the go. Hopefully, NBCUniversal will add these features (which are common on other streaming services) in the future.

Other Things You Need to Know About Peacock

You can stream Peacock on up to three devices simultaneously and with a single account you can access Peacock from as many devices as you want without restriction.

Parental controls are available on this app via a PIN, and this allows you to maintain multiple viewing profiles for you and your kids.

Should You Try NBC's Streaming Service?

Although Peacock won't take down the major streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu anytime soon, the platform reached 10 million subscribers six months after its launch in April 2020. Which is an impressive start.

Whether Peacock's original programming or live channels will motivate subscribers to abandon their subscriptions to other platforms is yet to be seen. However, while Peacock still has some work to do to compete with its established competitors, the platform will likely become an active competitor in the streaming industry over time.

If you are a fan of NBC programming and are interested in keeping up with mainstream TV shows, Peacock is yet another streaming service worth subscribing to. Especially with the free tier offering an easy way to sample the service before handing over your credit card details.