Peacock is a popular video-on-demand streaming service owned and operated NBCUniversal’s television and streaming division, a Comcast subsidiary. The service is named for the NBC logo and started on July 15, 2020.
Early availability for Xfinity Flex customers began on April 15, 2020, and X1 customers were notified by May 1. NBC’s Peacock streaming service has just started, but Amazon Fire TV devices are crashing.
As with the arrival of HBO Max at the end of May, NBCUniversal and Amazon are currently struggling with several money-related issues, including ad revenue distribution, and it doesn’t seem to be working and coming soon.
NBCUniversal is also fighting Roku for similar reasons, so Peacock is also not available on this platform.
The good news for Fire TV users is that there is a workaround that makes HBO Max work on Fire TV devices today. Simply download the Android TV version from the Peacock app on your Fire TV device. Setup is a bit difficult, but the app itself works fine.
How to Sign-Up for Peacock on Amazon Fire TV
Unfortunately, Peacock is not currently available on Amazon Fire TV. However, thanks to Peacock’s Google Cast support, there’s a workaround for users with devices.
You must first install a third-party app such as AllCast or TV Cast on your Fire TV device.
- Register with Peacock OR sign in if you already have an account
- Install the Peacock iOS app or the Peacock Android app
- Once installed, log in with your Peacock credentials.
- Make sure your Chromecast is connected to the same WiFi network as your mobile device.
- Start playing a movie or show in the Peacock app and select the stream icon in the top right corner.
- Select your Chromecast, and it will appear on your TV.
How to get Peacock on Fire TV
Here’s how to get Peacock up and to run on your Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stream Box, Fire TV Cube, or Fire TV Edition.
If you have not yet activated “Sideload” in Fire TV, that is, the ability to install apps outside of the official Amazon App Store, you must do so first.
First, install the Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore. You can connect it remotely via your web browser or simply search for “Downloader” on the Fire TV using your Alexa remote control.
Once you’ve installed it, go to Settings, scroll down to “My Fire TV,” and select “Developer Options.”
Activate Applications and ADB debugging from unknown sources” in this menu. If you see an alarming warning about the security risks of untrusted apps, just tap “Activate.” You can disable “applications from unknown sources” at any time after installing Peacock.
Some newer Fire TV devices may display the “Install Unknown Apps” option instead of “Apps from Unknown Sources.” If so, click on this option and set the downloader to “On” in the next menu.
Install the Peacock app
For the next step, we install the app from a third party site called APKMirror. The actual APK installation file is for reference, but we only use a short link in the Downloader app to install it directly.
Open the app Downloader and select Allow when it is prompted. Then go to the “Browser” section of the application.
Scroll down and select the address bar, delete the address field using the on-screen keyboard and enter the following URL in the text box exactly as it appears below:
Do you get a “forbidden” error? This is because you entered the address in the “Home” section of the downloader instead of the “Browser” section. Scroll down to the Browser section and try again.
Now, wait until the “Install” menu is displayed. Depending on your Fire TV device, this may be a full-screen message or a popup like the one shown below. Select “Install” and press “Open.”
If you do not open the app immediately and it is not in your “Last” line, you will find it at the bottom of your full list of apps that you can access by long-pressing the Start button and pressing “Applications”. “
You can create a new account in the app or log in with the account you have already created. If you have an Android device, we recommend that you create an account on that device first as an agreement between NBCUniversal and Google entitles you to three free months of Peacock Premium service. You should receive an offer via email shortly after registration. (You can also get the offer by logging in via Fire TV as this is technically the Android TV version of the app, but I haven’t confirmed it.)
Last important step: Currently, the Peacock app can only play videos when you restart Fire TV. To do this, go to Settings> My Fire TV and select “Restart.”
As with the HBO Max version, the same disclaimer applies: once Amazon and NBCU have resolved their differences and officially launched the Peacock app, you’ll want to uninstall and reinstall the official version to get the latest updates.
Conclusion and Shows on Peacock
Peacock Free includes 7,500 hours of programming, including access to NBCU freshman shows, selected films, and full classic series the next day. Peacock Premium consists of 15,000 hours of programming, including access to the current day of all NBCU series the next day, early access tonight shows, Peacock Originals, and live sports like the Premier League and Ryder Cup, and the Olympic Games.
Like other streaming services, Peacock will have its original series, including restarts of Save By The Bell, Punky Brewster, and Battlestar Galactica. They also have shows like Rutherford Falls (Ed Helms), Dr. Death (Alec Baldwin), and a range of behind-the-scenes footage from Saturday Night Live.
The company has acquired the rights to many classic shows such as the entire Dick Wolf Library, including Law & Order and Chicago Fire. Peacock will also be the exclusive home of Parks and Recreation (October 2020) and The Office (January 2021).
The service also includes critically acclaimed box office hits and films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks animation, illumination, and content purchased from top Hollywood studios.