Peacock launched in 2020 with ads baked in. So they’re not very shy about showing you ads. However, it shows ads across every tier.
Their “Premium” plans don’t necessarily mean ad-free. And that includes the most expensive plan, too (with some exceptions). Adding to all that, the free tier has been discontinued, too, and new users can no longer enjoy it.
So, how bad are the ads really? And what are you getting for your money? Let’s break down the Peacock plans, dissect the ads, and answer those questions.
Does Peacock Have Ads?
Yes, Peacock has ads on every plan.
Whether you’re on the free tier (if you still have access to it), Peacock Premium, or even the more expensive Premium Plus, you’ll see ads. The frequency may vary.
- Peacock Premium ($7.99/month) has ad breaks during shows, movies, and live content.
- Peacock Premium Plus ($13.99/month) removes most ads but not all. You’ll see ads on live sports, local channels, and a few select titles.
There’s no plan that’s 100% ad-free across the board. Ads are part of how Peacock can keep prices low, even for paying customers. We’ll get into the types of ads and how often they appear next.
When Did Peacock Start Showing Ads?
Peacock launched in July 2020 with ads built in from the very beginning.
From day one, the platform had a free tier with ads and two paid options: Peacock Premium (with ads) and Premium Plus (mostly ad-free). Unlike other streamers that added ads later, Peacock built its model around ad-supported streaming from the start, even on the paid plans.
So if you’re seeing ads now, it’s not a new thing. It’s how Peacock has always worked.
What Peacock Plans Have Ads?
All Peacock plans have ads; it’s just a matter of how many.
Peacock is an ad-supported streaming service, and even the top-tier plan isn’t completely ad-free. Here’s how it breaks down:
Peacock Premium
$7.99/month or $79.99/year
- Full access to Peacock’s content library with regular commercials.
- You’ll see ads before and during movies, shows, and live programming.
Peacock Premium Plus
$13.99/month or $139.99/year
- Removes most ads but not all.
- You’ll still see ads on live sports, local NBC channels, and select third-party content.
- Also includes offline downloads on supported mobile devices.
Peacock Free
No longer available to new users, but still works for legacy accounts.
Includes ads and limited content access.
So no matter what plan you’re on, ads are part of the Peacock experience. Upgrading reduces them, but doesn’t get rid of them entirely.
What Kind of Ads Does Peacock Show and How Often?
Peacock shows standard TV-style commercials, usually 15 to 60 seconds long, before and during content. These are non-skippable and often appear at natural scene breaks, though not always perfectly timed.
You’ll see:
- Pre-roll ads before a show or movie starts
- Mid-roll ads during longer content
- Sponsor messages or branded content on some originals
- Occasional interactive ads (especially on desktop)
As for frequency, Peacock shows around 4 to 7 minutes of ads per hour, depending on the title and your plan:
- On Peacock Premium, expect regular ad breaks, like basic cable.
- On Peacock Premium Plus, most on-demand content is ad-free, but live sports, local channels, and select licensed titles may still have ads.
Compared to other streamers, Peacock is in the middle: less ad-heavy than Hulu, but more frequent than Netflix and Prime Video’s ad tier. If you’re used to YouTube or free streaming platforms, it’s manageable.
Is Peacock Premium Plus Really Ad-Free?
You’d think that’s it. And yes, it mostly is ad-free. But not entirely.
Peacock Premium Plus is marketed as the “mostly ad-free” option, and for the most part, that’s true. On-demand shows and movies will usually play without any ads, which is a big step up from the standard Premium plan.
But there are a few key exceptions:
- Live sports and events (like Sunday Night Football or WWE) still include ads.
- Local NBC stations (if available in your region) stream with traditional ad breaks.
- Some third-party licensed content may also include baked-in ads that Peacock can’t remove.
So while Premium Plus cuts down the interruptions, it doesn’t eliminate them entirely. If you’re expecting a Netflix-style experience where everything can be ad-free, you might be disappointed.
Is Peacock Free Still Free?
Not really. At least, not for new users.
As of February 2023, Peacock no longer offers a free tier for new sign-ups. If you didn’t have a Peacock account before that date, you won’t see the free option when you go to the site or app.
But if you had a free Peacock account before the change, you might still be able to use it, though the content is limited and ads are always present.
This was part of a larger effort to encourage users to switch to paid subscriptions, particularly during major content releases and live sports events. The free tier initially featured a small rotating library of shows and movies, but it’s now primarily used as a limited “preview mode” for users who log out of their paid accounts.
So yes, Peacock Free still exists, but only for those who got in early. For everyone else, the cheapest way in is Peacock Premium at $7.99/month.
Can You Block Ads on Peacock?
In 2025, Peacock ads cannot be blocked with ad blockers. You will have to upgrade to a higher tier to view fewer ads.
Peacock’s ads are embedded in the video stream, making them hard and often impossible to block with traditional methods. If you’re watching in a browser, some users have tried using ad blockers like AdGuard or Total Adblock, but results are spotty at best. Amazon (which powers some ad tech on Peacock) updates their systems to get around these tools frequently.
Here’s what we know:
- On desktop browsers, ad blockers may temporarily suppress pre-roll or mute mid-roll ads, but they can also break playback, cause buffering, or block the video entirely.
- On smart TVs, mobile apps, or streaming devices, ad blockers don’t work at all.
- Some Reddit users have reported success with DNS-level blockers like AdGuard Home, but results are hit or miss and often come with technical issues.
Ultimately, there’s no way to block ads on Peacock and especially not across all devices. If you want fewer interruptions, the only real option is to upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus, and even that won’t eliminate all ads.
Peacock vs Hulu vs Netflix vs Max: Who Has the Worst Ad Load?
If you’re trying to pick the least annoying streaming service in terms of ads, here’s how the major competition in the space stacks up:
| Platform | Ad Frequency | Skippable? | Ad-Free Option? |
| Peacock Premium | ~4–7 min/hour | No | Premium Plus($13.99/mo) |
| Hulu (With Ads) | ~8–10 min/hour(can feel heavy) | No | No Ads plan($18.99/mo) |
| Netflix Standard with Ads | ~4–5 min/hour | No | Upgrade to Standard($17.99/mo) |
| Max With Ads | ~3–4 min/hour | No | Max Ad-Free($15.99/mo) |
Who shows the most ads?
- Hulu has the most ad breaks, which are longer and more frequent, especially during binges.
- Peacock is second, with mid-rolls similar to those found in broadcast TV.
- Netflix is surprisingly not bad, with the lightest ad load in terms of length, but limited content in the ad tier.
- Max is in the middle: fewer ads, but they’re repetitive and not always well-timed.
If you want to see as few ads as possible, you’re still better off going all in on the top tiers, even though some of those aren’t entirely ad-free either.
Final Thoughts
Peacock isn’t trying to hide its ad-supported model; it’s built into every tier, including the one you pay for. Whether you’re on Premium or Premium Plus, ads are part of the experience in some form. Compared to other platforms, Peacock’s ad load is moderate, but the fact that even the highest plan isn’t truly ad-free can be frustrating.
If you’re okay with a few interruptions, the content and pricing are solid. But if you’re expecting a clean, uninterrupted experience across the board, Peacock might not be the platform for you.