Does Peacock Premium Have Ads in 2026?

Connected TV

Since launching in mid-2020, Peacock — NBCUniversal’s foray into the streaming platform revolution — has become one of the most popular services on offer, thanks in large part to its immense selection of content. In addition to a trove of on-demand episodes and exclusives, the platform also features live sports and events, as well as 50 always-on channels. 

Like many streaming platforms, Peacock provides tiered subscriptions, including Premium and Premium Plus. With a name like Peacock Premium, it’s easy to assume an ad-free experience, but the question remains: Does Peacock Premium have commercials?

Does Peacock Have Ads?

Yes, Peacock includes ads in certain tiers. To unpack this, let’s review the platform’s evolution and discuss Peacock advertising in a bit more detail.

Originally, Peacock offered a completely free ad-supported tier, which only required users to create an account to start watching. While users who signed up at launch still have access to their free-with-ads accounts to this day, Peacock stopped offering the specific tier to new adopters in early 2023.

Today, the entry-level option is Peacock Select, priced at $7.99 per month, which includes ads and limited content. In contrast, Peacock Premium, at $10.99 per month, also features ads but provides full access to the library.

Despite the change, Peacock’s popularity continues to surge, with paid subscribers reaching 44 million by the end of 2025, up 22% from the previous year. Research also shows that consumers are increasingly receptive to advertising, with 58% viewing it positively compared to 47% in 2024.

The bottom line is this: If advertisers present relevant and concise marketing content, their audiences won’t mind too much. In fact, they might just be intrigued enough to learn more.

Why Does Peacock Premium Have Commercials?

A common misconception regarding streaming services is that accessing ad-free content is a consumer’s top priority when signing up. In actuality, their motivation appears to be multifaceted. Other factors that make streaming appealing include the following:

• On-demand flexibility
• Binge-watching capabilities
• Affordability relative to cable

Cost savings seem to be an important part of consumers’ decision-making process when deciding whether to sign up for an ad-free or ad-supported service. According to Statista, two-thirds of consumers would opt in for ads if it meant saving $4 to $5 per month. 

Peacock Premium, at the time of this writing, is $6 cheaper per month than its ad-free counterpart, Premium Plus. 

Therefore, the answer to the question, “Why does Peacock Premium have ads?” is simple: Peacock includes a lower-cost ad-supported tier to appeal to a continuously growing audience segment that prefers this option. (The “Premium” in the name simply notes that you’re paying a subscription fee for this tier, compared to legacy free subscribers.) The additional advertising revenue funds Peacock’s extensive library of content and operational costs.

How to Get Rid of Ads on Peacock TV

The easiest way to get rid of ads on Peacock is to upgrade to a Premium Plus subscription.

Peacock Premium vs. Premium Plus

Peacock Premium, the ad-supported tier, costs $10.99 monthly and grants access to movies, TV shows, live sports, events, NBC and Bravo programming, and over 50 always-on channels.

Premium Plus, at $16.99 per month, adds benefits like offline downloads for select titles and live access to your local NBC station. It removes streaming ads from most content, though exceptions apply to certain shows, recent movies, and live sports.

Benefits of Peacock Ads for Consumers

If you want to save a few bucks on your Connected TV streaming service, opting for Peacock’s ad-supported subscription tier is a great option. You’ll just learn about new products and services in between your favorite programs. Since streaming ads use more precise targeting than traditional TV advertising, the content is more likely to align with your interests, too. 

Benefits of Peacock Ads for Advertisers 

For advertisers, Peacock ads offer a great way to get your brand featured alongside premium content. By powering your streaming ads with a dynamic ad management platform like MNTN, you’ll gain timely, relevant insights about content performance. You can use MNTN to segment your audiences, target specific demographics, and get more bang for your advertising buck. 

Performance TV Helps Advertisers Connect With Customers

Want to reach streaming audiences who are still watching ad-supported content? While some viewers look for ways to remove ads, millions continue to engage with premium, brand-safe CTV inventory. MNTN’s platform helps you connect with these audiences on top streaming networks, ensuring your ads appear where people are actively watching.

Here’s how MNTN Performance TV helps marketers maximize ad-supported streaming:

• Premium CTV Inventory – Run ads on leading ad-supported streaming platforms, including Peacock’s AVOD tier.
• MNTN Matched – AI-powered targeting ensures your OTT ads reach high-intent viewers most likely to engage.
• Verified Visits™ Attribution – Tracks site visits and conversions tied directly to ad exposure, providing clear performance insights.
• Automated Optimization – AI continuously refines your campaign, maximizing efficiency and eliminating wasted spend.
• Reporting Suite – Access real-time data on audience engagement, conversions, and ROI to optimize your strategy.

Reach engaged streaming audiences with high-performance CTV campaigns—sign up today to get started with MNTN’s self-serve software.

Peacock Ads: Final Thoughts 

Peacock ads, like any streaming ads, ought to be viewed as a tool, one that can unlock great benefits for consumers and advertisers alike. With that in mind, if you want to explore the advertising opportunities offered by Peacock and other similar streaming services, MNTN can help. Our performance marketing platform includes a robust reporting suite, creative solutions to make your ads more impactful, automation functionality, and a premium inventory of advertising slots on Peacock and other top streaming services.