If you recently got a new Samsung smart TV and are looking to watch Peacock but can’t seem to find the app, you’re not alone. Peacock has limited device support compared to other major streaming platforms. However, there are still ways to watch Peacock on your Samsung TV. In this guide, we’ll explain why the Peacock app is missing from Samsung TVs and provide tips to access Peacock content on your Samsung smart TV.
Why Isn’t Peacock Available on Samsung TV?
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service featuring shows, movies, news, sports, and more from NBCUniversal networks such as NBC, USA Network, Syfy, Telemundo, and more. However, unlike the other main streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max, Peacock has limited device availability.
Peacock’s device support includes iOS and Android mobile devices, computers, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Xfinity Flex, Xfinity X1, Playstation, and Xbox. But one popular platform missing from this list is Samsung smart TVs.
The reason boils down to business decisions. Peacock has not come to a distribution deal with Samsung to have an app natively installed on their smart TV platform. Without this deal in place, there’s no Peacock app available to download directly on Samsung TVs.
It’s not completely out of the question for this to change in the future if an agreement is made between Samsung and Peacock. But for now, Peacock is focused on distributing through their current list of supported devices and platforms.
How to Fix/Find Peacock on a Samsung TV
Just because there’s no Peacock app for Samsung doesn’t mean there aren’t still options to get Peacock working on your Samsung TV. Here are 5 methods to access Peacock on a Samsung TV:
1. Use a Streaming Device Like Roku or Fire TV
The simplest way is to add a streaming device that supports the Peacock app. Top options include Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV, which all have Peacock ready to install from their app stores.
Simply connect the streaming device to your Samsung TV via an open HDMI port. This will essentially overlay a new streaming interface and app library on top of your Samsung smart TV system. Once connected, you can sign up for Peacock right from the streaming device and start watching.
This is ideal because it allows you to continue using your Samsung TV the same way while adding support for Peacock and any other streaming apps not accessible on your Samsung.
2. Cast from a Mobile Device
If you don’t want to connect an additional device to your TV, you can mirror Peacock from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
- First, connect your mobile device to the same WiFi network as your TV.
- Then open the Peacock app and start playing a video.
- Next, tap the Cast button from within the Peacock player.
- This will bring up a list of available devices and TVs you can access from your phone.
- Select your Samsung TV from the list.
After a few seconds, Peacock should open and start playing on your TV while still giving you playback controls from your phone. The quality may not be as high resolution since it’s simply mirroring rather than direct playback. But it works in a pinch!
3. Use an HDMI Cable from Laptop
Similarly, you can directly connect a laptop or computer to your Samsung TV using an HDMI cable. This essentially turns your laptop into a makeshift streaming device.
Simply go to PeacockTV.com on your connected laptop. Sign up or log in to your account. Browse and start playing Peacock content through your web browser. Then, the video will show up on your TV connected via HDMI.
You can control playback through your computer while watching on the big screen. Again, quality depends on your computer, but HDMI should provide higher resolution than wireless casting.
4. Switch Regions to Access Peacock
One lesser-known trick is switching your Samsung TV’s region to the United States. This will change your Samsung’s firmware to show apps available in the US store.
Here’s how to change regions:
- From your Samsung TV’s home screen, go to Settings > General > System Manager.
- Select Location.
- Change your Country / Territory to the United States.
- Accept the warning prompt to change countries.
- After switching, your TV will reset and update with the new region.
Once updated, you should now see the Peacock app available to install in the Samsung App Store. The app store selection varies by region, which is why the app doesn’t show up under other countries.
Setting to the US gives access to download and install the Peacock app directly on 2017 and newer Samsung TV models. You’ll then log in using your Peacock account to start streaming.
The only catch is you’ll now only see apps for the US region while this setting is applied. Be sure to switch back to your home region if you want access to other local streaming apps again.
Switching regions is a convenient option for unlocking Peacock if you have a supported Samsung TV model from 2017 or later. This grants full native app integration rather than using an external device to stream.
5. Check Samsung TV Model Compatibility
Before changing regions, it’s important to verify your Samsung TV model is actually compatible with the Peacock app.
Peacock is only available on 2017 Samsung smart TVs and newer. Models before 2017 do not support the Peacock app even after switching regions.
To check compatibility:
- Go to Settings > Support > About Your TV and note down your Samsung TV model number.
- Cross-reference your model number against Samsung’s list of TVs confirmed to support Peacock app installation. This includes:
If your Samsung TV is an older model from 2016 or before, it will not be able to install Peacock. You’ll need to use an external streaming device instead.
Confirm your model eligibility before attempting to change regions. This will avoid any frustration from incompatible models that don’t recognize the Peacock app. Refer to Samsung’s website for the most up-to-date list of supported TVs.
Using These Peacock TV Workarounds
While native app support would be ideal, the good news is Samsung TV owners still have options to access Peacock. Adding a dedicated streaming device or using your mobile device to cast provides easy workarounds.
Hopefully, Peacock will reach a distribution deal with Samsung in the future for true app integration. But until then, any of these methods will successfully get your Peacock account streaming on a Samsung TV without issue.
Just be sure your Samsung TV is connected to WiFi for casting and has accessible HDMI ports. As streaming devices continue to multiply, so do new ways to aggregate all your favorite apps on one TV. With a few simple steps, you can stream The Office, Sunday Night Football, or any Peacock channel on your Samsung television.
