NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock, has raised monthly subscription fees across all tiers following its first quarterly profit.
Key facts
- •Peacock has raised its monthly subscription prices for the fourth time since its 2020 launch.
- •The service reached its first quarterly profit in Q2 2026 with $189 million in adjusted EBITDA.
- •Total subscriber count for the platform reached 48 million as of Q2 2026.
- •NBCUniversal is committed to an 11-year deal costing $2.5 billion annually for NBA broadcasting rights.
- •Previous price increases occurred in July 2025, July 2024, and August 2023.
Peacock has implemented its fourth price increase in four years. The streaming service, which is owned by NBCUniversal, raised monthly fees for its Select, Premium, and Premium Plus plans. This adjustment follows the company's first quarterly profit, which was recorded in the second quarter of 2026.
By the numbers
New Subscription Pricing
The Select plan, which includes ads, increased from $8 to $9 per month. The Premium plan, the standard ad-supported tier, rose from $11 to $13 per month, while the ad-free Premium Plus plan increased from $17 to $20 per month. Annual subscriptions continue to be offered at the price of 10 months for a full year.
Financial Performance and Growth
In the second quarter of 2026, Peacock reported $189 million in adjusted EBITDA. Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong noted that subscription revenue grew by more than 50 percent during that period, while advertising revenue rose by nearly 70 percent. The service added 2 million subscribers in the quarter, bringing its total to 48 million.
Future Profitability and Content Costs
Comcast co-CEO Michael Cavanagh stated that while he expects annual profitability to improve, quarterly results may fluctuate based on the debut of specific content, such as sporting events. NBCUniversal faces significant ongoing costs, including an 11-year agreement to pay $2.5 billion annually for exclusive NBA games on Peacock, alongside existing investments in Premier League and Sunday Night Football coverage.
Timeline
- 2020NBCUniversal launched the Peacock streaming service.
- August 2023Peacock implemented a price increase.
- July 2024Peacock implemented a price increase.
- July 2025Peacock implemented a price increase.
- Q2 2026Peacock recorded its first quarterly profit.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Ars Technica.
