Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Is Peacock Free? Everything You Need to Know Before the Olympics

Peacock logo

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are upon us (even if the calendar says it’s 2021), but this time, you’re going to need to sign up for Peacock if you want to watch the biggest events live. NBC’s one-year-old streaming platform is playing a starring role in the Olympics this year, but the good news is that you don’t have to pay to watch most of the main Games — all you need is to sign up for a free Peacock account. There’s one notable exception, though, so read on.

Related Videos

Peacock is somewhat unique in a crowded market of streaming services in that it’s totally free to sign up. Your free account gives you access to a limited selection of content, of course, but it’s a great way to try out the platform and see if there’s anything you like on there (and it’s arguably a better and more user-friendly model than standard “free trials” that start automatically billing you after a certain period).

To enjoy the full Peacock content library, however, you’ll want to sign up for Peacock Premium, which rings in at $5 per month, which is still pretty affordable. That lets you stream all sorts of shows, from new Peacock Originals like the Saved by the Bell reboot to timeless classics like The Office, along with movies, news, and sports. You can watch Peacock on virtually any modern streaming-capable device as well. That covers phones, tablets, web browsers, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and Xbox or PlayStation consoles.

Related

NBC is the primary broadcaster of the Olympic Games in the U.S. and is promoting Peacock heavily for this event. Peacock is the only platform that’s airing the main events from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — gymnastics, track and field, and men’s basketball — but you can also stream the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, exclusive documentaries, and tons of other related content. Peacock is running five channels in total dedicated to the Olympics. Be aware, though, that U.S. men’s Olympic basketball requires a Peacock Premium subscription.

Finally, if you’re the type that really, really hates ads, then there’s a third subscription tier just for you: Peacock Premium Plus. For $10 per month, the Peacock Premium Plus plan gets you the same content as the Premium package but with no commercial interruptions for the vast majority of programming. Whichever plan you go for, though — be it free, Premium, or Premium Plus — now’s the time to sign up for Peacock and get ready to watch the Olympics live. The Opening Ceremony begins on Friday, July 23, at 6:55 a.m. ET/3:55 a.m. PT.

Editors' Recommendations

Sling TV debuts Freestream, a totally free streaming service with 210+ channels
Sling TV's Freestream means there's another platform vying for your attention
sling tv launches freestream for free living room 1164

If you're looking for a way to gain access to over 200 channels without having to spend more than $40 monthly, the Dish Network subsidiary SLING TV has another novel offering for old and new customers alike. On what they deem National Cut the Cord Day, the live TV streamer is launching a new service called Sling Freestream.

You need a Roku device or an alternative such as Comcast, Samsung, LG, or Vizio to gain access to all Sling Freestream has to offer, but it has a lot to offer: The advertising-supported service offers more than 210 free channels and 41,000-plus on-demand titles.

Read more
This amazing website lets you find music from just about any show or movie
Tunefind puts some stellar playlists at your fingertips
living room with Friends on TV screen

Music choice can make or break any movie or TV episode. But when you hear a song you love or recognize but don’t know the name of, it can totally take you out of the story. Instead of paying attention to the plot, you’re frantically trying to open Shazam before the song ends or find music by lyrics on Google. If this sounds familiar, we have the perfect tool for you: Tunefind. This website lets you easily search for songs from almost any movie or show. Read on to learn more about Tunefind and how to find music from your favorite TV show or movie easily.

What is Tunefind?
Tunefind is a massive online database of music used in TV shows, movies, and video games. The library is massive, covering thousands of new releases and old favorites. Users can search for a specific show/movie or browse the latest episodes and movies on the homepage. If you make an account, you can also set up alerts for your favorite shows or movies to receive updates on the latest episodes or changes to the tracklist.

Read more
These are the best apps for following the 2022 World Cup
Stay up to date with the latest World Cup news
The best apps to follow the World Cup in Qatar 2022.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has started. Many of us already know where we can watch the games, provided work and life obligations don't get in the way. But the truth is, it's pretty much impossible for all of us to watch every single game on TV. The solution? Download any of the following apps and receive all the information directly on your cell phone; it doesn't matter if you are an iOs or Android user.
FIFA+

The official source for everything related to soccer in general (and the World Cup in particular) is completely free. Plus, you can rewatch iconic matches and discover untold stories of your favorite soccer players, all while getting news, live games, match scores, and more. Take your soccer love to the next level with FIFA+.
Android iOS

Read more