People who like to watch TV on a budget used to love Peacock. Now, the company is shaking up the streaming world again by raising its subscription prices—by a lot.
New subscribers will have to pay more each month starting July 23. Rate hikes for current viewers will start after August 22.
Starting July 23, new subscribers will face steeper monthly costs, and, for existing viewers, the rate hike begins rolling out after August 22.
It makes a lot of people wonder if streaming on Peacock is still worth it or if this is the last price increase in a long queue.
How does Peacock now compare?
To give you an idea of how much things have changed, Peacock Premium (with ads) goes from $7.99 a month to $10.99 a month, which is almost a 40% increase, and Premium Plus (with mostly no ads) goes from $13.99 a month to $16.99 a month. Plans for a year now cost $169.99 for Premium and $109.99 for Premium Plus.
In mid-2025, here’s how Peacock’s new prices stack up against those of its main competitors:
| Streaming Service | Ad-Supported Plan | Ad-Free Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Peacock | $10.99 | $16.99 |
| Netflix | $7.99 | $17.99 |
| Max (formerly HBO) | $9.99 | $16.99 |
| Disney+ | $7.99 | $13.99 |
| Hulu | $7.99 | $17.99 |
| Prime Video | $8.99 | $17.99 |
| Paramount+ | $7.99 | $15.99 |
That means the streaming service now has the most expensive ad-supported tier among major streaming players.
Why does Peacock need to raise prices now?
If you feel like every streamer wants just a bit more from your wallet, you’re not wrong. Peacock, owned by NBCUniversal, isn’t alone—price hikes have swept the industry as companies battle rising costs, especially for content. But Peacock’s jump is especially aggressive, driven by several key factors:
- Massive Content Investments: Live sports, especially the NBA’s much-hyped arrival on Peacock this fall, are pricey additions. NBCU spent billions to nab streaming rights, betting that marquee events will reel in new viewers.
- Chasing Profitability: Despite its growing subscriber base, Peacock has racked up billions in losses since its 2020 launch. This hike is the latest bid to stem the bleeding and push the platform toward profitability.
- Aligning With Rivals: As competitor pricing climbs, the temptation to test what the market will bear is hard to resist.
You’re not the only one who is shocked by the prices. Most experts agree that the best time for streaming, when prices were low, is over. They raised the price by $2 just before the Olympics last year.
Now, for 2025, they’re adding a new tier called Peacock Select for $7.99 a month. This tier will have less content, mostly new seasons on NBC and Bravo, a smaller library, and no sports. These changes are NBCU’s attempt to keep people who are cost-conscious, but they feel like a weak compromise.
Is Peacock Still Good for You?
It’s clear that for the right people, it has value. Live sports like the NBA are coming soon, and hit reality shows like Love Island are doing very well. But price increases like these make it harder for subscribers who just want variety to stay loyal, especially if they’re using more than one platform.
What can streamers do?
- Audit Your Subscriptions: Streaming isn’t cheap anymore; consider cycling between platforms every few months.
- Explore Lower Tiers: See if a more basic option covers your must-haves.
- Leverage Promotions: Watch for bundles or discounts, especially close to major events.
Final words
The most recent price increase on Peacock is a sign of what’s to come on all streaming services. It looks like all streaming services will soon have to pay more, as seen with Peacock’s recent price hike. Some people realise they need to pick favourites or press pause when they see the total costs.
We thought streaming would free us from expensive cable, but each price change makes it look more like the old days, with a few more apps and a nicer bird logo.
