Paramount+ vs Peacock: Which Streaming Service Wins in 2025?

When you’re choosing between Paramount+, a streaming service owned by Paramount Global that focuses on live sports, new movies, and original series from CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform offering free access to classic TV, live news, and Premier League soccer, you’re not just picking a price plan—you’re picking a viewing identity. One is built for fans who want the latest episodes of Star Trek or live NFL games the same night they air. The other is for people who still remember The Office reruns and want to watch them without paying extra. These aren’t just competitors; they’re different answers to the same question: What do I actually want to watch?

Paramount+, the service that bundles content from CBS, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures, gives you a lot of new stuff. It’s the only place to stream 1883 and Yellowstone spinoffs as they drop. It also carries live sports like UEFA Champions League, NFL Thursday Night Football, and NCAA basketball. If you care about catching shows the day they premiere, this is your service. But if you’re looking for free access to Law & Order or Braveheart without a credit card, you won’t find it here. Meanwhile, Peacock, NBC’s answer to free streaming with ads and a paid tier for more content, gives you hundreds of hours of classic TV—30 Rock, Parks and Rec, The Office—all in one place. It also streams live NBC news and all Premier League matches, something no other U.S. service offers for free. Peacock’s free tier isn’t a trial—it’s a real, usable library with no sign-up required.

The real difference isn’t in the number of shows—it’s in the kind of viewer each service targets. Paramount+ wants you to be an active fan: you’ll want to watch new episodes fast, follow live events, and maybe even pay extra for 4K or ad-free viewing. Peacock wants you to be a casual viewer: you’ll flip through old favorites, catch a soccer match on a Sunday, and not mind ads if it means saving money. Neither is better overall. One is for the enthusiast. The other is for the practical. If you’re trying to cut cable, Peacock’s free tier alone might be enough. But if you’re into live sports or new Paramount originals, you’ll need Paramount+—and you’ll know it the second you miss an episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Below, you’ll find real guides that break down exactly what each service offers in 2025—from regional content differences and hidden free features to how to cancel without hassle. No fluff. Just what works.