YouTube Premium to include Peacock at no extra cost in 2025

YouTube Premium subscribers will soon gain access to Peacock's ad-supported tier at no additional cost, the companies announced. The perk is set to launch early next year, bundling the streaming service with YouTube's existing ad-free video platform and YouTube Music subscription. This move affects millions of YouTube Premium users, who currently pay a monthly fee to avoid ads on YouTube and access background playback. By adding Peacock, YouTube aims to make its subscription more attractive amid growing competition from other streaming bundles. Peacock, owned by NBCUniversal, offers a library of TV shows, movies, and live sports, though the free tier will include advertisements. The partnership follows a trend of streaming services bundling to retain subscribers, as consumers face rising costs from multiple platforms. YouTube Premium, which costs $13.99 per month in the US, has previously offered other perks like Google Play Pass trials. The inclusion of Peacock could help both companies reduce subscriber churn, with Peacock gaining exposure to YouTube's large user base. No specific launch date has been announced beyond "early next year," and it remains unclear if the offer will extend to existing Peacock subscribers or only new ones.