NBCUniversal's streaming service featuring NBC content, sports, and live events.
Sports fans and NBC show enthusiasts
Disney-owned streaming platform with extensive TV shows, movies, and live TV options.
Cord-cutters and families seeking variety
Peacock and Hulu are both major streaming platforms offering ad-supported and premium tiers, with Peacock at $4.99/$9.99 and Hulu at $5.99/$11.99 monthly. Hulu excels with broader content libraries and live TV options, while Peacock offers sports-focused content including NBA and Olympic events.
Hulu edges out Peacock for general viewers with its larger subscriber base, broader content library, and live TV option with 75 channels, making it ideal for cord-cutters. Peacock is the superior choice for sports enthusiasts and NBC content fans, offering competitive pricing and exclusive live events like NBA games and the Olympics.
Choose Peacock if
Sports fans and NBC show enthusiasts
| Metric | Peacock | Hulu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $5.99 | — | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $11.99 | $14.99 | -20% |
| Simultaneous Streams(count) | 4 simultaneous | 4 simultaneous | — |
| Original Series Count(active) |
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The Best Streaming Services in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Cutting Cable
Looking to cut the cord in 2026? Discover the best streaming services that offer the perfect mix of movies, TV shows, live sports, and affordable pricing. From Netflix to emerging alternatives, we've tested and reviewed every major platform to help you choose.
Best Streaming Services of 2026: Top Picks for Movies, TV & Sports
Looking for the best streaming service in 2026? Our comprehensive guide reviews the top platforms including Disney Plus, Netflix, and live TV options to help you find the perfect fit for your entertainment needs and budget.
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Choose Hulu if
Cord-cutters and families seeking variety
| 45+ |
| 60+ |
| -25% |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 7 days | — |
| Total Content Library Size(titles) | 15,000+ | 20,000+ | -25% |
| Theatrical Release Window(months) | 45 days exclusive | 120 days standard | -63% |
| Paying Subscribers(millions) | 46 million | — | — |
| Subscription Pricing(USD/month) | $5.99-$11.99 | — | — |
| User Engagement(percent increase) | 25% more content engagement vs traditional TV | — | — |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Peacock | 50+ million | -8% |
| Viewer Engagement Boost(percent) | Peacock | — | — |
| Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $4.99 | $5.99 | -17% |
| Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) | $9.99 | $11.99 | -17% |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 46 million | 55+ million | -16% |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | Sports-focused limited | 75+ channels | — |
| Content Engagement vs Traditional(%) | 25% more than NBC viewers | Industry standard | — |
| Subscribers | 50M+ | 50M+ | — |
| Content Budget(USD/year) | $2.5 Billion | $2.5 Billion | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $17.99 | $17.99 | — |
| Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)(USD per month) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | — |
| Simultaneous Stream Devices(devices) | 2-4 devices | 2-4 devices | — |
| Watch Party Maximum Participants(people) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | — |
| App Merger Timeline(year) | Early 2026 | Early 2026 | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD per month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (No Ads)(USD per month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD/month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (Ad-Free)(USD/month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 75+ | 75+ | — |
| 2026 Emmy-Contending Series(count) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | — |
| Content Library Size (Estimated)(titles) | 15,000+ | 15,000+ | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 4,000+ titles | 4,000+ titles | — |
| Basic Plan Price(USD/month) | $7.99 | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Plan(USD/month) | $14.99 | $14.99 | — |
| Original Content Awards(Emmy nominations) | 120+ nominations | 120+ nominations | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard)(screens) | 2 screens | 2 screens | — |
| User Satisfaction Score(%) | 76% | 76% | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Apr 2026.
Peacock
$4.99/month🏆
Hulu
$5.99/month
Peacock
$9.99/month🏆
Hulu
$11.99/month
Peacock
46 million
Hulu
55+ million🏆
Peacock
NBC/Sports/Live Events
Hulu
Movies/TV Shows/Live TV
Peacock
Limited sports focus
Hulu
75+ cable channels🏆
Peacock
NBC properties only
Hulu
Disney+, ESPN+ included🏆
Peacock
NBA, Olympics, NFL exclusive🏆
Hulu
Through ESPN+ addon
Peacock
Strong (Bravo, NBC focus)
Hulu
Extensive library
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Peacock is cheaper with ad-supported tier at $4.99/month compared to Hulu's $5.99/month. The ad-free tiers are $9.99 (Peacock) vs $11.99 (Hulu), making Peacock $2/month less expensive overall.
Dive deeper with these curated resources
Best Streaming Services 2026: Netflix vs Disney Plus vs HBO Max
Choosing the right streaming service in 2026 doesn't have to be complicated. We break down Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max to help you find the best fit for your entertainment needs and budget.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $5.99 | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $11.99 | $14.99 |
| Subscription Pricing(USD/month) | $5.99-$11.99 | — |
| Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)(USD) | $4.99 | $5.99 |
| Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) | $9.99 | $11.99 |
| Recommended Bundle Price (All Services, No Ads)(USD per month) | $44.99 (with ESPN Unlimited) | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD per month) | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (No Ads)(USD per month) | $14.99 | — |
| Base Subscription Price (Ad-Supported)(USD/month) | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Subscription Price (Ad-Free)(USD/month) | $14.99 | — |
| Basic Plan Price(USD/month) | $7.99 | — |
| Premium Ad-Free Plan(USD/month) | $14.99 | — |
| Simultaneous Streams(count) | 4 simultaneous | 4 simultaneous |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 7 days | 7 days |
| Live TV Option(available) | No | Yes (Hulu+Live TV) |
| Mobile Download Feature(yes/no) | Yes | Yes |
| Live TV Channels(channels) | Sports-focused limited | 75+ channels |
| Bundle Options | Limited to NBC/Comcast | Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu |
| Simultaneous Stream Devices(devices) | 2-4 devices | — |
| Live TV Access(availability) | Available with bundles | — |
| Simultaneous Streams (Standard)(screens) | 2 screens | — |
| Nielsen Rankings (Jan 2026)(position) | Top 5 among streamers | Top 3 among streamers |
| Original Series Count(active) | 45+ | 60+ |
| Sports Content Coverage(categories) | Premier (WWE, Olympics, NFL) | Limited (select events only) |
| Total Content Library Size(titles) | 15,000+ | 20,000+ |
| Theatrical Release Window(months) | 45 days exclusive | 120 days standard |
| Live Sports Content | NBA, NFL, Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics | — |
| Original Series Quality | Strong NBC franchises | — |
| Content Release Frequency | Regular updates, weekly sports | — |
| Live Sports Coverage | Peacock | — |
| Movie Library Size | Peacock | — |
| Original Content Strength | Peacock | — |
| Exclusive Sports Rights | NBA, Olympics, select NFL | Via ESPN+ partnership |
| Live TV Channels Included(channels) | 75+ | — |
| Sports Content Availability | ESPN+ with premium sports | — |
| Content Library Size(titles) | 4,000+ titles | — |
| 4K Content Available(yes/no) | Yes (premium tier) | Yes (premium tier) |
| Dolby Atmos Support(yes/no) | Yes | Yes |
| Paying Subscribers(millions) | 46 million | — |
| Innovative Tech Features | Vertical video for sports, gaming integration | — |
| Innovative Features | Peacock | — |
| Mobile-First Features | Vertical video format | Standard mobile app |
| User Engagement(percent increase) | 25% more content engagement vs traditional TV | — |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Peacock | 50+ million |
| Annual Viewing Hours(billions) | Peacock | — |
| Viewer Engagement Boost(percent) | Peacock | — |
| Content Engagement vs Traditional(%) | 25% more than NBC viewers | Industry standard |
| YoY Growth Rate(percent) | Peacock | — |
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 46 million | 55+ million |
| Subscribers | 50M+ | — |
| Content Budget(USD/year) | $2.5 Billion | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $17.99 | — |
| Bundle Inclusions | Disney+, ESPN+, FX content | — |
| 4K Content Availability(availability level) | Limited, mostly HD | — |
| Watch Party Maximum Participants(people) | 8 participants (Watch Party) | — |
| App Merger Timeline(year) | Early 2026 | — |
| 2026 Emmy-Contending Series(count) | Tell Me Lies (7.2 rating) | — |
| Original Content Awards(Emmy nominations) | 120+ nominations | — |
| Same-Day Theatrical Releases | Limited | — |
| Content Library Size (Estimated)(titles) | 15,000+ | — |
| User Satisfaction Score(%) | 76% | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
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