Peacock is ending the free tier for new users

I hope you get to try the free Peacock – while it lasts.

The NBCUniversal streaming series has given up the option for newcomers to sign up for the free tier. Starting Monday, Peacock will instead offer only the $4.99/month “Premium” package (with ads and no ability to download selected content) and the $9.99/month “Plus” category, which is ad-free and includes the local NBC channel.

An NBCU spokesperson told IndieWire that existing registrations with Freecock can continue, and that paying subscribers who would otherwise opt out of the ecosystem will be given the option to remain on the free tier. There are currently no plans to completely remove the free option, the person said.

According to an NBCUniversal spokesperson, the decision is “part of Peacock’s growth strategy” and that the paid offerings “better reflect the brand and the unique experience we can provide subscribers.” The new focus on premium and plus tiers will allow Peacock to “remain competitive in the market,” the spokesperson continued.

The move to reduce the free tier comes after years of struggle. Peacock has largely failed to make a significant impact in the crowded streaming market and has faced heavy financial losses as a result. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the streamer exceeded 20 million subscribers; it also faced $2.5 billion last year. Comcast expects that loss to grow to $3 billion in 2023.

The Peacock is home to original movies (such as “Poker Face,” “Bel-Air” and “Dr. Death”), live sports (including WWE programming), Universal Pictures Pay 1 movies (such as “ Storage’ and ‘Puss in’). Boots”) and library titles (“The Office” and “Yellowstone”), as well as NBC and Bravo shows of the following day. The free option offered the ability to view some of its content with ads, but notably purged most of its original content and major library titles (such as “The Office,” which remains one of its biggest selling points) from its paid categories. .

The streamer’s content will reach 100,000 hours this year.

The news of Peacock’s free tier being discontinued was first reported by the The can be streamed.

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