As both NBC and Peacock are owned by NBCUniversal, they do overlap in many ways, but Peacock and NBC are not the same. Here we are taking a look at whether a Peacock Premium Subscription or a live TV package is best for an individual household based on what they want from NBC. More specifically, what they want along with NBC.
NBC is a popular live TV channel in the United States. While subscribers to a live TV service that includes NBC can download a dedicated NBC app and watch on-demand episodes, NBC is primarily a traditional linear channel. In other words, viewers can tune in and watch programming shown live for the first time, as well as old reruns.
Peacock is a standalone streaming service where subscribers can sign up and watch through the Peacock website or by downloading the app on a supported device. Peacock is primarily designed to be an on-demand service, and this is one of the areas where it massively differs from the general NBC experience.
Peacock Offers NBC And More
One of the most important differences between Peacock and NBC is the variety of content a subscriber has access to. For example, Peacock is not only home to popular NBC shows, but it is also home to shows and movies from other networks, including Bravo, Oxygen, Syfy, and USA Network. This is all in addition to a wide selection of Peacock Originals.
In addition to an ad-free experience, those subscribed to the more expensive Premium Plus plan also get access to their local NBC station at no additional cost, making it possible to watch live NBC programming, including the latest episodes of shows and live sports events.
For reference, Peacock automatically determines the NBC local station based on the user’s IP address and this approach can sometimes cause problems for some users in terms of the actual station they get access to.
Overall, Peacock offers a lot more content than what’s available through NBC, and is a good option for those who prefer to watch on demand.
A Live TV Plan Offers NBC And More, including USA
Peacock is certainly a cheaper option than a live TV package, and for some homes the streaming service may offer enough of a live experience. For others, it won’t be a direct replacement for the NBC live experience. While it is good for on-demand content, and access to NBC, you’ll still need a live TV plan to watch other NBCUniversal channels live.
The best example of this is USA Network. Following the closure of NBCSN, and the availability of NBC through Peacock, a lot of content, especially sports, has made its way over to USA Network, making access to the channel even more important.
The problem here is that you are unlikely to find a live TV package that includes USA Network without NBC. As a result, while Peacock can be an option for NBC, it isn’t a replacement for a live TV plan that includes both NBC and USA Network.
This is where some may have to decide if they really need Peacock or whether a live TV package that includes NBC and USA is the better option for them. If watching live programming on USA Network is as important as watching live NBC programming, then a standalone Peacock subscription is unlikely to be the right answer.
Choosing Between Peacock And A Live TV Plan for NBC
If you only want access to NBC then a Peacock subscription is likely to be a good solution and a cheap way to keep up to date with live NBC programming as well as local news and more.
$8-14/mo
- Live Channels
- Live Sports
- NBC & Bravo Shows
If, however, you would also like access to other NBC-related channels, including USA Network, then a live TV package is likely to be the better option. While Peacock does include some programming from these NBC sibling networks, the live version of these channels are only available with a live TV package.
At $40 a month, the cheapest option for a live TV service that includes both channels is Sling TV. However, Sling TV doesn’t offer access to NBC in all locations, so those considering subscribing will need to check whether NBC is available in their area before signing up.
$40-55/mo
- 30+ channels
- 1-3 streams
- 50-Hour DVR
Deal: First month starting at $15.
If Sling TV isn’t the right option, there are plenty of other options available, with DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV all offering access to NBC, USA and other NBCUniversal channels in most areas.
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