Peacock Price Increase What the Latest Hike Means for Your Wallet

Peacock subscribers are facing some unwelcome news this week. NBCUniversal has announced a new round of price increases across all tiers of its streaming service, marking the fourth hike in just four years.

These changes took effect on August 18, 2026, impacting both new and returning subscribers immediately, while existing customers will notice the increase on their next billing cycle after September 17.

The Peacock Select plan, the platform’s most budget-friendly option, is rising from $7.99 to $8.99 a month, reflecting a $1 increase. This Select package offers current and past seasons of NBC TV shows and Bravo shows, but lacks movies, live sports, or Peacock Originals.

The more popular Peacock Premium tier, which includes ads, is increasing from $10.99 to $12.99 a month. Meanwhile, the ad-free Premium Plus option is seeing the largest monthly hike, going from $16.99 to $19.99, a $3 increase.

Annual plans are also affected. Peacock Premium will now cost $129.99 for the year, a $20 increase, while Premium Plus rises to $199.99 annually, reflecting a $30 increase. The Select tier annual plan is increasing from $79.99 to $89.99.

For those currently locked into a promotional deal, there is a slight silver lining. Prices will only change once the promotional period ends, and current annual subscribers will retain their existing rates until their plans expire.

NBCUniversal has provided its usual corporate explanation for the hike, stating that these changes allow Peacock to continue delivering the best experience for its viewers, remain competitive in the market, and provide unique content across all genres.

The timing of this increase has raised eyebrows, as it follows positive news for the company. Peacock reported its first-ever quarterly profit for Q2 2026, with paid subscribers totaling 48 million by the end of June, including 2 million net additions during that period. The NBA playoffs, the FIFA World Cup, and ‘Love Island’ were highlighted as key contributors to these subscriber gains.

Critics have also noted the timing in relation to football season. One report pointed out that Peacock is raising prices just in time for the NFL’s regular season, a pattern that has been observed in previous years.

Peacock is not alone in raising prices this year. Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount Plus, and YouTube Premium have all increased their subscription costs within the last two years.

The comparison to Netflix is particularly relevant for budget-conscious viewers. Netflix announced its own price hike back in March 2026, with its cheapest tier now matching Peacock’s new Select tier at $8.99. At the high end, Netflix’s most expensive plan is $26.99 a month, which is $7 more than Peacock’s top offering.

This marks Peacock’s fourth increase since it began charging for premium tiers. Two years ago, Premium was priced at $7.99 a month and Premium Plus at $13.99, meaning Premium alone has increased by five dollars in just over two years. The last increase occurred in July 2025, when Premium rose to $10.99 and Premium Plus to $16.99.

For viewers considering whether to remain subscribed, Peacock’s programming slate offers a mix of live sports and originals. Premium and Premium Plus subscribers can access NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, WNBA, Premier League, college football and basketball, along with special events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. On the scripted side, current offerings include ‘The Paper’, ‘The ‘Burbs’, and ‘Twisted Metal’, along with the upcoming ‘Friday the 13th’ prequel series ‘Crystal Lake’.

Bundle shoppers may still find a workaround for now. Apple continues to advertise Apple TV bundled with Peacock Premium for $14.99 a month, or with Premium Plus for $19.99, and that pricing had not changed at the time of this announcement.

Reactions online have been mixed, with some subscribers questioning whether the platform’s content library justifies yet another increase so soon after achieving profitability. Whether this latest hike will lead to cancellations or if viewers will continue watching ‘Love Island’ and Sunday Night Football, Peacock’s subscriber base is about to discover just how much loyalty a live sports lineup can secure.