Peacock vs Hulu 2026: Pricing, Features & Content
Peacock
NBCUniversal's video streaming platform with TV, movies, sports, and entertainment.
Sports fans and NBC show enthusiasts
Quick Answer
AI SummaryPeacock 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.
Read full verdictHulu 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.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Ad-Supported Tier Price:✓ Peacock wins($4.99/month vs $5.99/month)
- Ad-Free Tier Price:✓ Peacock wins($9.99/month vs $11.99/month)
- Paying Subscribers (2026):✓ Hulu wins(55+ million vs 46 million)
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Paramount+ vs Peacock
Key Facts & Figures
12 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Peacock | Hulu | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 46 million | 55+ million | |
| Monthly Cost (Ad-Free Premium)(USD) | $11.99 | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (With Ads)(USD) | $5.99 | — | — |
| 2024 Emmy Award Wins(awards) | 12 | — | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $11.99 | $14.99 | |
| Theatrical Release Window(months) | 45 days exclusive | 120 days standard | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 4 screens | 2 screens (ad tier) / 4 screens (ad-free) | |
| 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 | |
| Viewer Engagement Boost(percent) | Peacock | — | — |
| Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) | $9.99 | $11.99 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
11 attributes compared head-to-head
- $4.99/month(winner)Ad-Supported Tier Price$5.99/month
- $9.99/month(winner)Ad-Free Tier Price$11.99/month
- 46 millionPaying Subscribers (2026)55+ million(winner)
- NBC/Sports/Live EventsPrimary Content FocusMovies/TV Shows/Live TV
- Limited sports focusLive TV Channel Options75+ cable channels(winner)
- NBC properties onlyBundle AvailabilityDisney+, ESPN+ included(winner)
- NBA, Olympics, NFL exclusive(winner)Sports ContentThrough ESPN+ addon
- Strong (Bravo, NBC focus)Original Content QualityExtensive library
- Live TV Add-on
- Exclusive Originals
- Sports Coverage
- Ad-Supported Tier Price
Peacock
$4.99/month(winner)
Hulu
$5.99/month
- Ad-Free Tier Price
Peacock
$9.99/month(winner)
Hulu
$11.99/month
- Paying Subscribers (2026)
Peacock
46 million
Hulu
55+ million(winner)
- Primary Content Focus
Peacock
NBC/Sports/Live Events
Hulu
Movies/TV Shows/Live TV
- Live TV Channel Options
Peacock
Limited sports focus
Hulu
75+ cable channels(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Peacock | Hulu |
|---|---|---|
| Paying Subscribers (2026)(millions) | 46 million | 55+ million(winner) |
| Monthly Cost (Ad-Free Premium)(USD) | $11.99 | — |
| Monthly Cost (With Ads)(USD) | $5.99 | — |
| Ad-Free Monthly Price(USD) | $11.99(winner) | $14.99 |
| Subscription Pricing(USD/month) | $5.99-$11.99 | — |
| Monthly Price (Premium/Ad-Free)(USD) | $9.99(winner) | $11.99 |
| 2024 Emmy Award Wins(awards) | 12 | — |
| Nielsen Rankings (Jan 2026)(position) | Top 5 among streamers | Top 3 among streamers |
| Sports Content Coverage(categories) | Premier (WWE, Olympics, NFL) | Limited (select events only) |
| Theatrical Release Window(months) | 45 days exclusive(winner) | 120 days standard |
| Original Series Quality | Strong NBC franchises | — |
| Content Release Frequency | Regular updates, weekly sports | — |
| Live Sports Coverage | Peacock | — |
Show 2 more attributesMovie Library Size Peacock — Original Content Strength Peacock — | ||
| Live TV Option(available) | No | Yes (Hulu+Live TV) |
| Maximum Simultaneous Streams(streams) | 4 screens | 2 screens (ad tier) / 4 screens (ad-free) |
| Live Sports Content(text) | Premier League, Olympics, WWE, NFL, PGA Tour | — |
| Innovative Tech Features | Vertical video for sports, gaming integration | — |
| Innovative Features | Peacock | — |
| User Engagement(percent increase) | 25% more content engagement vs traditional TV | — |
| Global Subscribers(millions) | Peacock | 50+ million(winner) |
| Annual Viewing Hours(billions) | Peacock | — |
| Viewer Engagement Boost(percent) | Peacock | — |
| YoY Growth Rate(percent) | Peacock | — |
PeacockHuluShow 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·8 cons across both
Peacock
Pros
Cons
Hulu
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions
Hulu starts at $7.99/month for its ad-supported plan, $17.99/month for ad-free, and $82.99/month for Hulu + Live TV. Peacock offers a free ad-supported tier, a Premium plan at $7.99/month with ads, and Premium Plus at $13.99/month without ads. Peacock is the more budget-friendly option, especially with its free tier, while Hulu justifies its higher price with a larger on-demand library and live TV options.
Peacock is better than Hulu for NFL fans specifically, as it holds exclusive rights to certain NFL Wild Card playoff games and Sunday Night Football simulcasts. Hulu requires a Live TV add-on for broader sports access. Peacock also includes Premier League soccer, WWE, and Olympics coverage. For general sports variety, Hulu + Live TV is more comprehensive, but for NFL exclusives, Peacock has a clear advantage.
Yes, Hulu is generally better than Peacock for current TV shows. Hulu adds new episodes from major networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox the day after they air, and it offers a strong library of FX originals. Peacock focuses more on NBC content and Bravo reality shows. If staying current with network television is a priority, Hulu's next-day availability and broader network partnerships make it the stronger choice.
Both services offer family-friendly content, but Hulu edges ahead for families with diverse tastes due to its larger library of kids' shows, Disney content access through bundle options, and Pixar titles. Peacock offers DreamWorks Animation content and classic Universal films. If your family enjoys sports and kids' cartoons equally, Peacock's free tier is a low-risk starting point, but Hulu's Disney Bundle provides significantly more family entertainment value overall.
There is currently no official bundle that combines Hulu and Peacock directly. However, Hulu is available in the Disney Bundle alongside Disney+ and ESPN+. Peacock is owned by Comcast/NBCUniversal and is sometimes included free with Xfinity internet plans or certain Comcast packages. To access both, most users subscribe to each service separately, which could cost anywhere from $7.99 to $21.98 per month depending on the tiers selected.
Peacock is generally better for sports fans because it holds exclusive NBC Sports rights including NFL Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer, and the Olympics. Hulu only includes ESPN events if you pay for the expensive Hulu + Live TV add-on (~$82.99/month). If sports is your priority, Peacock gives more value at a lower price.
There is no official bundle combining Hulu and Peacock. However, Hulu offers a Disney Bundle (Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+) that reduces the per-service cost. Peacock is sometimes discounted through Xfinity, YouTube TV, or annual prepay deals. Many users subscribe to both separately since even at full price the combined cost is under $25/month.
Both offer ad-free tiers. Hulu's ad-free plan costs $17.99/month, while Peacock Premium Plus (ad-free) is $13.99/month — making Peacock the cheaper ad-free option. Hulu's ad-supported plan ($7.99/month) shows fewer ads than Peacock's free tier, which is notably ad-heavy.
Hulu's movie library benefits from deals with FX and international studios, but Peacock holds deep Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation libraries. For classic films and blockbusters, Peacock edges ahead; for recent indie and prestige cinema, Hulu is stronger. Both pale against Netflix or Amazon Prime Video for total movie depth.
Hulu is the stronger cord-cutting choice because of its optional live TV add-on covering 85+ channels including local news and sports. Peacock covers NFL and Premier League live but lacks a full live-channel bundle. For a true cable replacement, Hulu + Live TV wins; for a cheap supplement to another streaming service, Peacock's lower price is hard to beat.
Analysis: Peacock vs Hulu
Hulu and Peacock are two of the major mid-tier streaming services fighting for subscriber retention in a crowded 2026 market where viewers are increasingly selective about which subscriptions they maintain simultaneously. Both are owned by large media conglomerates (Disney owns Hulu; Comcast/NBCUniversal owns Peacock), and both carry live sports alongside on-demand catalogs — but their content strengths and audience fits differ meaningfully.
Hulu: With approximately 52 million subscribers, Hulu built its competitive position on next-day broadcast TV availability — ABC, Fox, and NBC shows are available the morning after they air, which no other SVOD service offers. This makes Hulu the most direct cable TV replacement for fans of current-season network programming. Hulu's original content has won critical acclaim: "The Bear" (FX on Hulu) has become one of the most awarded drama series in recent years, and "Only Murders in the Building," "The Handmaid's Tale," and "Shōgun" represent a prestigious originals slate. Pricing in 2026: Hulu (ads) $7.99/month, Hulu (no ads) $17.99/month, Hulu + Live TV (85+ channels) $82.99/month. The Hulu Live TV bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ ($97.99/month) replaces a traditional cable package for many households. Hulu's back-catalog is extensive — thousands of episodes of legacy TV shows from its broadcast and cable partners make it the broadest library for general on-demand viewing.
Peacock: NBCUniversal's streaming service has approximately 36 million paid subscribers in 2026. Peacock's most powerful differentiator is live sports: it carries Sunday Night Football (the most-watched TV program in America), NFL Wild Card playoff games, Premier League soccer (through 2028 rights deal), the Olympics (alternating years with Peacock and NBC), WWE's Raw (moved from USA Network), and Big Ten football. For sports households, this content alone justifies the subscription. Peacock Originals include "Poker Face" (Rian Johnson, critically acclaimed), "The Hunting Party," and "Ted" (the franchise series). NBC next-day programming (The Voice, Law & Order franchise, Tonight Show) mirrors Hulu's ABC/Fox offering. Pricing: Peacock Premium $7.99/month, Premium Plus $13.99/month.
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The 2026 comparison: Peacock wins decisively for sports-focused households — Sunday Night Football and Premier League coverage at $7.99/month is the streaming market's best live-sports value. Hulu wins for scripted TV depth, premium originals catalog, back-catalog breadth, and live TV replacement when bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+. At the same $7.99 base price, Hulu's on-demand library is significantly broader. Many households subscribe to Peacock during NFL season and cancel in the off-season; Hulu's value proposition is more year-round. The services are not direct substitutes and serve different viewing priorities within a household's streaming budget.
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