You remember the panic back in 2022. It was a Monday in September, and suddenly, the channel that had hosted the residents of Salem for 57 years just... stopped. No more Bo and Hope on NBC. No more Marlena’s possessions or Stefano’s schemes on broadcast TV. It felt like the end of an era because, honestly, it was. Finding where to watch Days of Our Lives used to be as simple as turning on the TV at 1:00 PM, but today, you’ve got to be a little more tech-savvy to keep up with the Hortons and the Bradys.
The move was a massive gamble by NBCUniversal. They decided to migrate one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world exclusively to their streaming platform, Peacock. Since then, the show has leaned into its new home with higher production values and slightly edgier storylines that broadcast censors might have frowned upon. If you’re trying to find your way back to Salem, here is the current reality of how the show is distributed, what it costs, and why the old "DVR" method is basically a relic of the past.
The Only Real Way to Watch Days of Our Lives Right Now
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you live in the United States, Peacock is the exclusive home for the show. Period. You won't find it on Hulu, you won't find it on Netflix, and it certainly isn't airing on your local NBC affiliate anymore. When the transition happened, it wasn't just about moving the new episodes; they moved the entire legacy of the show’s current run over there.
Episodes drop daily, Monday through Friday. Usually, they go live at 6:00 AM Eastern (3:00 AM Pacific). This is a huge perk for the early birds who used to have to wait until the afternoon or even the next day to catch up. Now, you can watch John Black solve a mystery while you're still drinking your first cup of coffee. It’s a different vibe, but once you get used to the app, it’s actually pretty convenient.
However, there is a catch that catches people off guard. You need a Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus subscription. Back in the day, Peacock had a free tier that allowed you to watch certain shows with ads, but those days are mostly gone for high-demand content like Days. If you want to see what’s happening at the Spectator or the Bistro, you’re looking at a monthly fee. It’s the price of admission for modern soap operas.
International Viewers Have It Different
If you are reading this from Canada, don’t go running to download Peacock just yet because you likely can't get it. North of the border, the show still has a home on traditional television via W Network. They generally air episodes in sync with the U.S. release, keeping the "appointment viewing" tradition alive for our Canadian friends.
In Australia, the landscape shifted too. For a long time, Days was a staple on free-to-air TV, but now it primarily lives on Foxtel and the streaming service BINGE. It’s funny how a show about a small town in the Midwest has managed to create such a complex web of international licensing deals just so people can see who’s currently back from the dead.
What About Free Options?
Is there a way to watch for free? Honestly, not really—at least not legally or reliably. People often search for "free full episodes" on YouTube, and while you might find some grainy, cropped uploads that stay up for three hours before being hit with a copyright strike, it’s a miserable viewing experience.
NBCUniversal is very protective of this intellectual property. Why wouldn't they be? Days is one of the primary drivers of consistent, daily traffic to Peacock. They want those subscription numbers.
Occasionally, Peacock offers promotional trials. If you’re a new subscriber, you might be able to snag a "first month for $1.99" deal or something similar around the holidays. Also, if you’re an Xfinity or Spectrum customer, it’s worth checking your cable package details; sometimes Peacock Premium is bundled in for free or at a deep discount, though those "free-for-life" deals have been sunsetted by many providers recently.
Why the Move to Peacock Actually Saved the Show
When the news broke that the show was leaving NBC, fans were livid. They felt abandoned. But if we’re being real, the move probably saved Days of Our Lives from the chopping block. Broadcast ratings for soaps have been in a tailspin for a decade. By moving to streaming, the show doesn't have to compete for the "housewife" demographic in a specific time slot. It just needs to generate "starts" and "completions" on an app.
Ken Corday, the executive producer, has been vocal about how this transition allowed the show to survive. Without the pressure of the 1:00 PM time slot, they can tell longer stories. They also launched spin-offs like Beyond Salem, which brought back legendary actors like Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso. You wouldn't have seen that kind of investment if the show was still struggling on linear TV.
- Higher Resolution: The show looks better in 4K/HDR on a streaming app than it ever did on standard cable.
- No Pre-emptions: Remember when a news report or a sporting event would cut off the last ten minutes of the show? That doesn't happen on Peacock.
- Deep Archives: You can usually find a rolling archive of recent episodes, though they don't host the entire 14,000+ episode library (which is a bummer, but understandably a storage nightmare).
Catching Up on What You Missed
If you’ve been away from Salem for a few years, jumping back in can feel like trying to read a book where someone ripped out every third page. The show moves fast. Characters die, come back as clones, get brainwashed by the DiMeras, and then go to brunch.
The best way to catch up isn't just watching the episodes. Check out the official Days of Our Lives YouTube channel. They do a great job of posting "weekly previews" and "look ahead" clips that summarize the major beats. It’s the "CliffsNotes" version of the show.
Also, the "Soap Opera Digest" website is still a goldmine for recaps. If you don't want to pay for a month of Peacock just to see if you like the current storylines, spend twenty minutes reading the last two weeks of recaps. You’ll know exactly who is dating whom and who is currently in a coma.
Technical Troubleshooting for Older Fans
Let's talk about the tech hurdle. A lot of longtime fans who watched the show for 40 years on a literal television set found the Peacock app confusing. It happens. If you’re struggling, the best move is to get a dedicated streaming stick like a Roku or an Amazon Fire Stick. These devices make the Peacock app feel more like a "channel" on your TV rather than a computer program.
Once you’re in the app, use the search function and type in "Days." Add it to "My Stuff" or "Watchlist." This way, every time you open the app, the newest episode is right there on your home screen. No hunting required.
The Future of Salem
Is Days going anywhere? Currently, the show is renewed through its 60th season. That takes us into late 2025 and 2026. The move to streaming has stabilized its finances. As long as the "Daytime Divas" and the loyal fanbase keep clicking "Play" on Peacock, Salem isn't going anywhere.
We’ve seen a shift in how these stories are told. There’s a bit more swearing, the romance scenes are slightly more "steamy," and the pacing has tightened up. It’s a version of the soap opera that feels ready for a digital-first audience while still respecting the legacy of the characters we grew up with.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're ready to get back into the drama, here is exactly what you should do to ensure the best experience:
Check Your Current Subscriptions First. Before you pay, see if your internet or cable provider (like Cox or Mediacom) includes Peacock. You’d be surprised how many people are paying for it twice or not realizing they already have access.
Optimize Your Viewing Schedule. Set a routine. Since episodes drop at 6:00 AM ET, many fans find that watching during lunch or right after work prevents spoilers from leaking on social media. Avoid "Days" Facebook groups until you’ve watched for the day—the fans there are fast with the screenshots!
Use the "Extras" Tab. On the Peacock show page, scroll down past the episodes. There are often behind-the-scenes interviews and digital-only clips that don't air in the main episodes. It’s free content that adds a lot of context to the current feuds.
Go Beyond the Main Show. If you have the subscription anyway, look for Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. These limited series are high-budget and usually feature the return of "Legacy" characters that aren't on the daily show anymore. It’s the ultimate nostalgia trip for fans of the 80s and 90s eras.