Another major streaming platform has decided to raise its subscription fees, leaving consumers to weigh their entertainment budgets carefully. NBC's Peacock has announced a price increase, making it one of the more expensive options in the competitive streaming market.
What’s Changing with Peacock’s Pricing?
The premium ad-free tier of Peacock will now cost £10.99 per month, up from its previous £8.99 rate—a significant 22% jump. Meanwhile, the ad-supported plan rises from £4.99 to £5.99 per month, marking a 20% increase.
How Does Peacock Compare to Netflix and Other Rivals?
With this adjustment, Peacock edges closer to the pricing of industry leader Netflix, whose standard ad-free plan sits at £10.99 per month. However, Netflix’s premium tier (4K streaming) costs £15.99, while Disney+ stands at £7.99 for its ad-free offering.
Here’s how the major streaming services now compare:
- Peacock Premium (No Ads): £10.99/month
- Netflix Standard: £10.99/month
- Disney+ (No Ads): £7.99/month
- Max (formerly HBO Max): £9.99/month
Why Are Streaming Prices Rising?
The trend of price hikes across streaming platforms reflects the industry’s push toward profitability after years of heavy investment in content. With production costs soaring and subscriber growth slowing, companies are turning to higher fees to offset expenses.
“Consumers are now facing a tough choice—pay more for their favourite shows or switch to ad-supported plans,” says media analyst Jane Whitfield. “The golden age of cheap streaming is fading fast.”
Will Customers Accept the Increase?
While Peacock offers exclusive sports coverage, including Premier League matches, and a solid library of NBCUniversal content, the price jump may test subscribers’ loyalty. With household budgets under pressure, some viewers could opt to downgrade to ad-supported tiers or cancel altogether.
As the streaming wars intensify, platforms must balance revenue growth with customer retention—will Peacock’s gamble pay off?
