Peacock Streaming Service Problems (and it hasn’t even launched)

So, what’s the problem? Well, the free Peacock streaming service sucks, and so does the first tier of Peacock Premium!

Okay, streamers. Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about NBC’s Peacock. If you don’t already know, the TV network will be releasing a free version of Peacock streaming on July 15. It runs alongside its Peacock Premium and Ad-Free Peacock Premium streaming packages which are currently available to Comcast subscribers. As far as Peacock free is concerned, I think viewers will get what they pay for. Now let’s take an even deeper dive into this subject. (I refuse to write “let’s unpack this” because only the most pretentious tech writers do that.)

Peacock Free Streaming

On the surface, Peacock Free sounds like a good idea. You get ad-supported NBC content, news, and sports, just like cord-cutters get on TV. At five minutes per hour, even the commercials aren’t that bad, intrusive. But let’s scratch the surface on that programming. It’s about 7,500 hours of content that includes select active NBCU seasons and some Peacock original episodes. There’s also movies, classic shows, and news.

Did you catch the weaselly words there? If not, I’ll pull them out for you:

  1. “Select”
  2. And “some”

This is NBC’s creative way of telling you that your choices are limited when it comes to NBCU seasons and Peacock originals. And then there are the words that NBC doesn’t say in regards to its movies and classic shows. Bottom line: the free options only gives you a peek at the network’s treasure trove of programming.

Peacock Premium and Ad-Free Premium

NBC offers two version of Peacock Premium: with ads and without. The version with ads features commercials in the same time and duration as the free version. Both versions give streamers more than 15,000 hours of programming. This includes full seasons of Peacock originals and current seasons of other shows. There’s also movies, classics, and news, as well as windowed content, premium movies, and early access to late night TV.

Peacock Premium with commercials will cost you $4.99 a month. The ad-free version costs $9.99 per month. Is either version affordable? Sure. But is it worth it? I personally don’t think so. I checked out a list of Peacock originals heading to the network and this is some of what I found:

  • Battlestar Galactica? You mean this bargain-basement Star Wars rip off is still a thing?
  • Law & Order: Hate Crimes? We don’t need yet another version of this tired detective drama.
  • Olympic Boulevard? Didn’t TV musicals die with Glee? (At least I hope they did.)
  • Punky Brewster: Yes, they’re updating it and yes it stars Soleil Moon Frye, but no… just no. Attempts to recapture the magic of ’80s classics usually ends in disaster.

These are just a few of the originals coming to Peacock. Everyone’s tastes vary, and some of these series might appeal to many people. If these shows are your thing, cool, but you still have to figure out if these shows are worth paying for… Because you probably won’t get to see them all on the Peacock Free. Remember those weaselly words?

The Best Free Streaming Service…

…Is HBO Max. You know, AT&T’s latest streaming service that gives you so much. How much? Well, you get everything on HBO. You also get most or all of DC Comics, Warner Brothers, and much more programming. With HBO Max, there are no commercials and no weaselly offers of get this when you pay for that. There’s just a ton of amazing content for you to enjoy.

HBO Max sounds great, but is it really free? Yes… when you purchase any AT&T programming package that includes HBO. This includes DIRECTV’s Premier tier and most AT&T Unlimited plans that include HBO. You also get HBO Max if you’re a new AT&T TV subscriber. (It comes with your one-year free subscription to HBO.) I can hear you now. “But that isn’t FREE!” Fair enough; but like I said above, you always get what you pay for.

About the Author

Jake Buckler
Jake Buckler is a cord-cutter, consumer electronics geek, and Celtic folk music fan. Those qualities, and his writing experience, helped him land a copywriting gig at Signal Group, LLC. He also contributes to The Solid Signal Blog.