Is Peacock Finally Catching On? Here’s Why A Subscription Is Worth It

With so many streaming platforms out there, each offering to fill a specific gap in your weekly viewing schedule, it can be hard to figure out which ones are best for your needs, interests, and budget.

Peacock is one of many streaming services available; however, as it’s owned and operated by NBC Universal, most of its programming consists of content from the conglomerate.

But when you consider that those brands include Universal Pictures, Focus Features, MSNBC, Bravo, WWE, Telemundo, Hallmark, the NFL, and the English Premier League, in addition to good ole’ NBC, the appeal of Peacock becomes more apparent. If there is even one brand from that list that you’re into, it’s worth looking into Peacock.

Peacock eliminated its free option on Feb. 3, which was limited to start, since you could only watch a fraction of what Peacock has to offer. So you’ll need at least a Peacock Premium subscription to watch everything available on the streamer. It only costs $4.99/month with ads, which is only match in its low cost by Paramount+‘s basic, ad-supported plan, also for $4.99/month.

So, why are we finally syaing Peacock is so great, nearly two years after its launch? It comes down to three major categories: amped-up next-day premieres, originals that are finally catching mainstream attention, and new movies straight from theaters.

Stream NBC, Bravo, and Hallmark Titles The Day After They Air

One of the most significant perks of Peacock has always existed on the service, but ramped up in the second half of 2022.

NBC’s currently airing shows have new episodes added to Peacock the morning after they air on NBC primetime. This includes new comedies like Night Court, dramas like La Brea, all of the shows in the Law and Order and One Chicago universes, and late-night shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Beginning in September 2022, Peacock became the exclusive streaming home for everything Bravo as well, and for the first time, new episodes of all Bravo shows stream next day on Peacock. For the uninitiated, Bravo airs every Real Housewives franchise, Summer House and Winter House, all four Below Deck series, Vanderpump Rules, and Top Chef, among other reality and reality competition shows.

All of Hallmark Channel‘s original series also stream next day on Peacock, with their popular movies becoming available after 72 hours.

One notable exception is Yellowstone, which Peacock has exclusive streaming rights to because of a deal with Paramount. You won’t be able to stream new episodes of Yellowstone the day after they air.

Peacock’s Original Series Are Finally Making Headlines

Peacock launched with a handful of original series that never quite managed to catch on (remember Brave New World?), and while its selection of originals is still not as robust as some other streaming services, and tend to have short lives, some recent launches prove that the service can produce and release originals that capture mainstream attention.

The first is The Traitors, an American adaptation of a Dutch reality game show. The game is similar to the popular party games Mafia or Werewolf, where three “traitors” are placed among a group of twenty, and it’s up to the group to figure out who the traitors are.

The cast of twenty comprises ten members of the general public and 10 people who have appeared on other American reality shows like Big Brother, Survivor, and The Bachelor, plus 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte. The Alan Cumming-hosted show was recently renewed for a second season.

Poker Face premiered on Peacock in late January. It had star power behind it from the get-go, which doesn’t necessarily translate to success, but in this case, it’s a hit. Created by Oscar nominee Rian Johnson (of Knives Out and Glass Onion fame), the case-of-the-week mystery series stars Natasha Lyonne as detective Charlie Cale.

Each week, viewers are taken through the process as Charlie solves strange crimes, employing the “howcatchem” formula popularized by Columbo (which you can also stream on Peacock!). The series boasts an impressive roster of guest stars and was renewed for season two after only six of the 10 season one episodes had aired.

On the horizon, Mrs. Davis premieres on April 20, and on paper, the series seems like a recipe for success. The sci-fi drama was created by Tara Hernandez and Lost and Watchmen creator Damon Lindelof, and it stars Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman, and Margo Martindale. Gilpin leads the series as a nun whose faith is at odds with technology as she takes on a form of artificial intelligence.

Stream New Movies Straight From Theaters On Peacock

Universal Pictures and Focus Features fall under the NBC Universal umbrella, so all of their theatrical releases will be available to stream exclusively on Peacock for four months following the theatrical window (they’ll then head to Prime Video for 10 months before another four-month stint on Peacock).

This is worth mentioning because these movies tend to hit Peacock at the same time that they become available from video-on-demand retailers, and the $4.99/month price of Peacock is lower than both the rental and purchase price of just about every newly released films.

One of the most exciting exclusive releases to Peacock is the Cate Blanchett-led Tár, which is up for six awards at this year’s Oscars, including Blanchett’s third nom for Best Actress. In addition to that, here are some new titles you can stream on Peacock right now:

• Violent Night
• Ticket to Paradise
• Spoiler Alert
• She Said
• Nope
• Bros
• Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
• Armageddon Time
• M3GAN (starting February 24)

The Bottom Line: Is Peacock Worth It?

Absolutely!

At just $4.99/month (with ads), the service has a lot of value for a relatively low price, especially when compared to other streaming services. If even one of the above categories interests you, we recommend checking out Peacock — there’s a lot to love about the service.