Peacock Kills Off Clever Ad-Free Hack, Leaving Bargain Hunters Disappointed
Peacock, the streaming service from NBCUniversal, is shaking things up for subscribers, and not in a way that’s likely to be welcomed by those who pride themselves on finding the best deals. The company is discontinuing its monthly Premium Plus add-on, a feature that savvy users had exploited to enjoy ad-free streaming at a significantly reduced cost. This change is particularly frustrating for those who took advantage of promotional deals, such as the Black Friday offer, to secure a year of Peacock Premium at a deep discount.
The previous strategy involved purchasing a discounted annual subscription to Peacock Premium (the ad-supported tier), and then adding the monthly Premium Plus add-on to eliminate commercials. This loophole allowed viewers to circumvent the higher price of the full-fledged Peacock Premium Plus plan, which offers ad-free viewing as a standard feature. Many viewed it as a clever way to "hack" the system and enjoy premium benefits without paying the premium price.
However, Peacock is now putting an end to this tactic. Subscribers who currently have the Premium Plus add-on are receiving emails informing them of the impending change. The message states that the monthly Premium Plus add-on will no longer be offered as a separate option, leading to its cancellation for existing users.
The email goes on to explain that if no action is taken, subscribers with the add-on will be automatically transitioned to Peacock Premium, the ad-supported version. For those who wish to maintain an ad-free experience, the only option will be to upgrade to the full Peacock Premium Plus plan, which comes with a higher monthly or annual cost. Peacock will refund any unused portion of their existing Premium plan upon upgrading.
The removal of the monthly add-on creates a dilemma, especially for those who snagged a deal like the Black Friday promotion. A hypothetical scenario is the regular price of Peacock Premium at $80 per year, plus the $6 per month for the Premium Plus add-on, resulting in an annual cost of $152. With the current setup of Peacock Premium Plus, it only costs $140, which would save money for the viewer.
The previous strategy made the most sense if you were able to stack special offer with the add-on. As an example, people who took advantage of the Black Friday deal in 2024, which offered a complete year of Peacock Premium for only $20, and then purchased the Premium Plus add-on could view a year’s worth of ad-free Peacock for just $92 instead of the typical Premium Plus cost of $140 per year.
These users now face a difficult choice: they can either resign themselves to watching Peacock with advertisements for the remainder of their promotional period, or they can request a refund for the remaining value of their Black Friday discount and switch to Peacock Premium Plus at the regular price.
The change has sparked outrage among some Peacock subscribers, who are accusing the company of engaging in a "bait and switch" tactic. While Peacock maintains that it will honor current promotional rates until their expiration dates, the removal of the add-on effectively eliminates a cost-effective method for achieving ad-free viewing.
Many are expressing their frustration on social media and online forums, criticizing Peacock for taking away a feature that allowed budget-conscious viewers to enjoy the service without being bombarded by commercials. Some users are threatening to cancel their subscriptions altogether, arguing that the value proposition of Peacock diminishes significantly without the option of an affordable ad-free experience.
The loss of the monthly Premium Plus add-on also removes a degree of flexibility for subscribers. Previously, users could opt for ad-free viewing on a month-to-month basis, perhaps during periods when they anticipated watching a significant amount of content. Now, they are locked into either the ad-supported Premium tier or the more expensive Premium Plus plan, regardless of their viewing habits.
This change reflects a broader trend in the streaming industry, where companies are increasingly focused on maximizing revenue and profitability. As the market becomes more competitive, streaming services are exploring various strategies to increase subscriber numbers and boost average revenue per user. This often involves eliminating discounts and promotional offers, as well as introducing new tiers with different features and price points.
Peacock’s decision to discontinue the Premium Plus add-on is likely driven by a desire to simplify its subscription options and encourage more users to upgrade to the full Premium Plus plan. By eliminating the cheaper ad-free alternative, Peacock hopes to increase its revenue from subscribers who are willing to pay a premium for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
However, this strategy carries the risk of alienating price-sensitive customers who may choose to cancel their subscriptions and explore other streaming services that offer more affordable ad-free options. In a crowded marketplace, customer loyalty is paramount, and Peacock’s decision could have unintended consequences in the long run.
Ultimately, the impact of this change will depend on how many subscribers are willing to pay the full price for Peacock Premium Plus. If a significant number of users opt to downgrade to the ad-supported tier or cancel their subscriptions, Peacock may need to reconsider its strategy.
For now, bargain hunters who relied on the monthly Premium Plus add-on to enjoy ad-free Peacock at a discounted price are left with few options. They can either accept the presence of commercials, pay more for the full Premium Plus plan, or seek out alternative streaming services that better align with their budget and viewing preferences.
The streaming landscape is constantly evolving, and Peacock’s decision serves as a reminder that even the most clever cost-saving strategies can be short-lived. As streaming services continue to experiment with different pricing models and subscription options, consumers will need to remain vigilant in order to find the best deals and maximize the value of their entertainment dollars.
