Peacock TV
"Must See TV," classic cartoons, no profiles.
Peacock TV
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Peacock TV is a television streaming service from NBC Universal. It includes television shows, movies, and sports. Some programs are available for free with ads, and others are only available with a monthly subscription. Only the premium subscription is ad-free. There's no way to set up a kid-specific account or to set controls on watch kids can watch. Most movies and shows have a rating listed, but there's no way to search by rating. Play can be restricted to WI-FI only in the settings. Terms of service specify that an adult (over 18) should set up the account. Parents can use a passcode to restrict the maturity level of shows available, but theoy'll need to enter the code every time they want to access something more mature. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.
What’s It About?
PEACOCK TV is a streaming service from NBC Universal featuring news, sports, television shows, and movies. The start page features "trending" stories of current events and featured content. Viewers can choose shows by "channels," which shows a schedule for dozens of channels playing shows in current time. Channels include SNL Vault, 80s Mixtape, The Office Shorts (not full episodes), and a Bob Ross channel, along with various reality TV, crime drama, and talk shows. Kids' content is in the "browse" section where you'll find TV shows, movies, kids, news, sports, and Latino content. Kid content includes classics like Woody the Woodpecker, Felix the Cat, and Care Bears, as well as movies and project / craft shows. Parents can set a passcode to restrict more mature content, but they'll have to change it every time they adjust the maturity level since there are no profiles.
Is It Any Good?
Unique television and movie offerings will appeal to older kids and teens especially. Much of the free content leans retro, so kids may not be super engaged by the production quality. There's plenty there to engage all interests, though -- Movies range from family-friendly hits to horror movies to1930s black and white classics. Sports fans will find live games and replays. And NBC classics like Cheers, Law & Order, and SNL are available as well as news coverage. Video quality is solid. One possible challenge to setting up younger kids with a show. Browsing and starting a show must be in portrait mode, but viewing full screen must switch to landscape. The inability to create separate accounts for family members is disappointing, as one passcode to control the overall maturity level gets tedious.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about which Peacock TV shows are on their watch list. Check out our list of recommendations by age. Parents can search for old favorites (Greatest American Hero, 21 Jumpstreet) to share with their kids or teens.
Set clear guidelines with kids for when they can watch, what they can watch, and where they can watch. Use the passcode to set the maturity level of shows kids can access.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free ($4.99-$9.99/month for full access)
- Release date: July 21, 2020
- Category: Entertainment
- Publisher: Peacock TV LLC
- Version: 1.0.5
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 11.0 or later; Android varies by device
- Last updated: July 27, 2020
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