8 Must-Watch Sports on Peacock: 2024 Rundown

In an era where traditional cable TV is gradually losing its grip, streaming services like Peacock are stepping up, transforming how we consume live sporting events. 

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, has become a central figure in this shift, offering NFL games, Premier League, Big Ten Football, Big Ten Men’s Basketball, Notre Dame football, Golf, horse racing, MLB games, Motorsports, IndyCar and WWE.

This article delves into Peacock’s plans, pricing and how the NBC-backed streamer is reshaping sports broadcasting. I have been a subscriber to Peacock since its debut in 2020, and I’ve been streaming live sports since 2016 back when PlayStation Vue was still around. 

My aim is give you a comprehensive look at what Peacock offers sports fans through the lens of my history of streaming live sports.

What is Peacock?

Peacock is the streaming service launched by NBCUniversal in April 2020. It essentially functions as a Hulu-type of service for NBC, the nation’s most popular broadcaster. 

You will find an impressive library of blockbuster movies, news from MSNBC and NBC Nightly News, and Peacock Originals such as “Poker Face.” TV shows from NBC, past and present, are widely available through the service. You can also live stream all three Hallmark Channels. 

Peacock has a vast library of NBC shows including primetime hits such as “Chicago Fire”, soaps like “Days of Our Lives” and reality shows such as “America’s Got Talent Fantasy League.” You can find Spanish-language programming, including news and dramas from Telemundo. 

On the sports front, you can watch most live sports on NBC offered through its wallet-friendly Peacock Premium plan.

What sports are on Peacock Premium?

Peacock, NBC’s streaming arm, is a sports enthusiast’s paradise, offering an impressive array of live sports coverage. It’s a hub for soccer aficionados, providing unparalleled access to the English Premier League with 175 exclusive matches per season.

But it’s not just about soccer; Peacock is a touchdown for NFL fans too, featuring Sunday Night Football and exclusive NFL games.

The platform has also made strides in college sports, broadcasting live Big Ten Men’s Basketball games, a conference renowned for its competitive spirit and NBA-level talent. Big Ten Football on Peacock brings forward the excitement of college football, showcasing future NFL stars. 

Baseball lovers aren’t left out, as Peacock pitches perfect Sundays with its exclusive MLB Sunday Leadoff games. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a virtual tour of the greens with extensive PGA and USGA event coverage, including exclusive insights and alternate feeds.

The Olympic spirit is alive and well on Peacock as it gears up for a spectacular show at Paris 2024. Beyond these mainstream sports, Peacock also caters to niche interests, offering coverage of events like the IMSA SportsCar Championship and figure skating.

NFL

• Sunday Night Football: Simulcast coverage with NBC, including regular season and playoff games.
• Exclusive Games: One exclusive regular season and playoff game each.
• Interesting Fact: Peacock also features a library hub of NFL Films and documentaries.

Big Ten Football on Peacock

• Coverage: Peacock offers simulcast coverage of Notre Dame and the Big Ten Conference in college football.
• Exclusive Games: The service features eight exclusive games per season from the Big Ten Conference.
• Interesting Fact: Big Ten Football on Peacock brings some of the most exciting college football matchups, showcasing rising stars and future NFL talents.

Big Ten Men’s Basketball on Peacock

• Live Games: Fans can catch live Big Ten Men’s Basketball games, offering a glimpse into one of the most competitive college basketball conferences.
• Access to Talent: The Big Ten Conference is known for producing NBA-level talent, making it a must-watch for basketball enthusiasts.
• Interesting Fact: Big Ten Men’s Basketball on Peacock provides a platform for witnessing future basketball stars in their collegiate prime.

Golf

• Simulcast Coverage: Events from the PGA Tour and USGA, in partnership with NBC.
• Exclusive Windows and Feeds: Special coverage for several events, offering insights into every hole.
• Interesting Fact: Peacock provides unique alternate feeds for an immersive golf viewing experience.

Soccer

• Premier League: Peacock broadcasts 175 matches not shown on linear TV each season, with all 380 games available on demand.
• International Coverage: Simulcast coverage of the FIFA World Cup and United States matches in Spanish, in partnership with Telemundo.
• Interesting Fact: Peacock offers the most comprehensive coverage of the English Premier League in the USA.

Baseball (MLB)

• Exclusive Rights: Peacock streams MLB’s national midday games on Sundays as part of the MLB Sunday Leadoff package.
• Interesting Fact: Peacock is a key destination for MLB fans with its exclusive Sunday games.

Olympic Games

• Past Coverage: Streamed events from Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympics.
• Upcoming: Paris 2024 Olympics, promising extensive coverage.
• Interesting Fact: Peacock debuted its Olympic coverage with a dedicated roaming channel during Tokyo 2020.

Other Sports

• Diverse Range: Coverage includes the IMSA SportsCar Championship, select Indy Light races, and figure and alpine skating.
• Interesting Fact: Peacock caters to niche sports audiences with its diverse range of disciplines.

Peacock Plans, Prices & Subscriptions for 2024

• Peacock Premium: $4.99/month or $49.99/year.
• Peacock Premium Plus: $9.99/month or $99.99/year (ad-free).

Since NBCUniversal discontinued its free tier at the start of 2023, choosing between the two paid plans has become more straightforward. 

For sports fans seeking a comprehensive, budget-conscious streaming solution, Peacock Premium is, in my experience, the best choice. It offers an excellent array of sports content without breaking the bank at $5.99 per month.

This wallet-friendly option includes all the live sports Peacock has to offer, making it an unbeatable deal for anyone like me who loves to follow a wide range of sports.

From the comprehensive coverage of the English Premier League, with 175 exclusive matches each season, to the excitement of NFL games, including Sunday Night Football and exclusive NFL matchups, Peacock Premium has great coverage from NBC and NBC Sports.

It’s not just about soccer and football, though. The service also streams MLB’s Sunday games and provides detailed coverage of PGA and USGA golf events. 

For college sports enthusiasts, the live Big Ten Men’s Basketball games and Big Ten Football coverage are a major draw, showcasing future stars in both basketball and football.

While there’s also the Peacock Premium Plus plan at $11.99 per month, which offers fewer ads and the ability to stream live NBC stations, I find the standard Premium plan more than sufficient. 

The Plus plan, once ad-free, now includes a local NBC station, which can be a significant value if you can’t use a TV antenna for local channels. 

The Plus Plan also allows downloading of some on-demand programs. However, considering the breadth of live sports available, the Premium plan is incredibly cost-effective for someone like me who prioritizes live sports.

As a sports fan who values both variety and affordability, I’ve found that the Peacock Premium plan is a real game-changer.

Conclusion

Peacock’s competitive edge lies in its exclusive access to major sports events, in-depth analysis, and interviews with athletes and staff. This unique blend of content not only attracts a wide range of viewers but also provides real value for cord-cutters. 

The one downside for some may be that it is not an all encompassing service for sports fans. Personally, that doesn’t bother me. 

Peacock is a game-changer in sports broadcasting. With its diverse programming, exclusive content, and user-friendly streaming options, Peacock is setting new benchmarks in the industry. For sports fans looking for a comprehensive, cable-free sports experience, Peacock makes my short list as a go-to platform.