Peacock is officially available across the US today, but it was near-impossible to find on the Google Play Store for much of today. For hours, it didn’t show up in search results; instead, you needed a direct link to its listing. Since this story was published, Google had fixed whatever was going on and Peacock was appearing in Google Play search results.
In the weeks leading up to Peacock’s launch, NBCUniversal said the new streaming service would be available on its mobile apps and websites — as well as Android TV and Chromecast, LG and Vizio TVs and PlayStation 4. Peacock is running a promotional deal with Google, in which anyone who subscribes to Peacock’s premium tier through a Google platform can unlock an extended free trial. The fact that the app wasn’t appearing in Play Store search results could hurt Peacock’s initial rollout.
“The Peacock TV app was published to the Google Play Store last night and is available for download. We’re currently working to ensure users are also able to search for the app on the store,” a Google spokesperson initially told Engadget. “Everything is up to date now and Peacock will appear in search results on Google Play,” we were told this afternoon.
In contrast to Google, Apple is promoting Peacock in the App Store, and the app does appear in App Store search results.
“We do not have control over when platforms release and surface the app to their users, but the app is now live,” a Peacock spokesperson said in a statement provided to CNET. “We have a large marketing and promotional plan with Google, which you will see across Google platforms starting today.”
Update, 3:15PM ET: After missing from search results this morning, Google confirmed that Peacock was now appearing in search on the Play Store.