Game of Thrones Season 7 premieres on Sunday, July 16, 2017. So I thought it was time to go over the numerous ways HBO is available to you without a cable TV subscription. Just last year cord cutters were devoid of ways to watch HBO. Now there are nearly as many outlets for HBO without cable as there are dead Starks.
HBO’s streaming service is top notch. Aside from Game of Thrones, HBO’s biggest hit ever, you receive all the original content offered by HBO. Hit shows like Silicon Valley, Veep, Girls, The Leftovers and more are all at your fingertips. Furthermore, it’s not just the current seasons that are available, but the entire HBO originals archive.
Missed out on the wire? You can binge watch it. Didn’t catch the last episode of Sopranos?
Okay, I was really tempted to just end the post there. If you don’t know why that’s funny then you really need to watch the last episode of Sopranos.
Think of all the Original Series HBO has produced over the years. These HBO streaming services provide access to nearly all of it on demand. Furthermore, you have on-demand access to a movie catalog that rivals Netflix and Amazon Prime.
So let’s get into all the ways you can watch HBO
How to Watch HBO without Cable
HBO on Sling TV
Sling TV provides HBO over the internet as an add-on to their Internet TV bundle for only $15 a month. Sling works with Roku, Fire TV, Android devices, iOS devices, and more.
The $15 add-on package will add HBO to an already channel packed base service which included AMC, A&E, History, and numerous other networks previously only available through a cable or satellite TV subscription. It simulates the cable TV experience at a fraction of the price.
All shows on Sling allows for live access so you will be able to watch shows on HBO the night they air. (For more information on the Sling TV service check out my Sling TV review).
Sling TV is offering some great introductory offers right now as well. You can get a free ROKU Express. when signing up for 2 months of service. Aside from those offers, there is no contract so you can cancel anytime.
| Get HBO on Sling |  |
HBO on DirecTV NOW
Like Sling TV, AT&T’s DirectTV Now service provides subscribers with popular pay-TV networks over the internet. This will allow you to watch the Game of Thrones Online, along with many other HBO shows.
While DirecTV NOW’s entry level package is a $35 per month, it allows you to add HBO for just $5 more per month. The service is available on iOS, Roku, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and most modern web browsers.
DIRECTV NOW currently offers a 7-day free trial.
HBO on Hulu TV
As I wrote in my Hulu TV review, Hulu now offers live channels. However, they also just recently added HBO for $14.99 per month. Furthermore, HBO is available to all customers whether they are subscribed to the Live TV service or just Hulu’s on-demand library.
You can sign up for a 1-month free trial and test out their service.
HBO Now
HBO Now has been available since April of 2015. It’s essentially HBOs streaming service HBO Go without a cable TV subscription. It provides access to everything HBO has to offer on demand, and current seasons of shows are available the minute they air. That means you can watch Game of Thrones when everyone else in the world does and not have to wait until the next day.
HBO Now is available on Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, iOS devices, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Android devices. Below are instructions for signing up for the series on each device. HBO Now provides a 1 Month free trial regardless of the device you own. After the first month, the price is $14.99 per month and you can cancel any time since you are not locked into a contract.
HBO Now on Apple TV, iPad, and iPhone
HBO Now is already loaded on Apple TV. Simply fire up the app and follow the onscreen instructions. If you are using your iPhone or iPad, simply download HBO Now from the iTunes store.
| Get HBO Now |  |
Signing up was a breeze. Simply click the “download on the app store” button above to install HBO Now to your iPhone, iPad, or Ipod Touch. You may have to log in to your iTunes account to continue. Once the app is downloaded, fill out the form pictured below and you are ready to enjoy everything available to traditional HBO subscribers.
HBO Now app requires iOS 7 or later and is compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. HBO Now can be viewed on your television through either the Apple TV HBO Now app or by simply using airplay to cast HBO Now to your Apple TV from an iOS device.
HBO Now on Chromecast and Android
HBO Now has updated their app to support Chromecast on Android and iOS devices. To sign up, simply download HBO now from Google Play store to your Android device (or iTunes using the link above for your iPad or iPhone). You can then cast HBO from your phone to your TV via Chromecast.
Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, or Kindle Fire tablet
Download the HBO NOW app from the Amazon Appstore for Android. Then start the app and follow the onscreen instructions. Once you’ve downloaded the app to one Amazon device, you can download HBO NOW to the rest of your Amazon devices by navigating to Settings and selecting Sync Content on the devices you want to use.
HBO Now on Roku
Navigate to the Channel Store on your Roku player. You can search the channel store for HBO NOW. Once you locate the channel, select “Add Channel” and confirm the selection when prompted. If you have setup a PIN, you will be prompted to enter the PIN number. Press the Home button, HBO NOW should now be one your home screen. Start the app and follow the on-screen instructions.
If this article didn't answer your specific question, check out the Cord Cutting Guide. It provides links to the most important articles in our over 200 pages of content to help you ditch pay TV.
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This helps. Cheers!
Renata says
I started learning to program in Basic on punchcards. I’m tired of unlearning-relearning-unlearning . . . , so I quit. This site is something I can learn from bit by bit. Thanks :)
Barbara Lustig says
Great information! I, too, want to “cut the cable cord”.
AD says
Hello, does any of the HBO apps stream live events, like HBO Boxing. That is one big issue with cutting the cord for add-on services like these. I am able to stream live Showtime Boxing events on their app thru Amazon. That wasn’t always available. Wondering if HBO has done the same.
Thanks
Dennis Restauro says
No. unfortunately, the boxing is under a different licensing agreement.
Jenny says
Hello, I would appreciate any help anyone can offer. I need to be able to watch Game of Thrones, but the cable available in my area is $80/month and you have to have a 2 year contract. I can not do this. I was wondering if some one can help me figure out step by step how to get/watch GOT from my phone, it is a Samsung Galaxy S8 + with Sprint. Is the best thing to get HBO Now and watch it with my phone hooked up to my tv? How do I do this? I am not tech savvy at all. I saw this above post: HBO Now on Chromecast and Android
HBO Now has updated their app to support Chromecast on Android and iOS devices. To sign up, simply download HBO now from Google Play store to your Android device (or iTunes using the link above for your iPad or iPhone). You can then cast HBO from your phone to your TV via Chromecast.
how do I cast HBO from my phone to my TV via Chromecast? what is Chromecast? and what do I need to connect my phone to my tv? any help in plain English would be appreciated, thank you!
Jenny
Dennis Restauro says
Here is a guide on ChromeCast. You can watch HBO Now on your phone, but you would need to be careful about the Data Usage. A 1-hour episode is about 1GB. So this will add 4 GB to your monthly data usage on your cell plan. If you have AT&T, you may be able to get around this with DirectV NOW as AT&T doesn’t count DirecTV Now against your data usage.
Shelley Wilson says
I was very frustrated with cable, we were paying over $150.00/month. My son found Play Station Vue and we just LOVE IT!! We also have Netflix and Feeln’. Well worth it for as many channels as we get and so many options. I also bought a Roku TV. At the time i didn’t realize how awesome this thing was. I have so many channels that I can get at no additional cost. I was shocked how many are available.
Thank you for all your help and I’ll keep reading and trying to learn.
Dennis Restauro says
Thank You, Shelley!
Norah says
Do any of these stream in 4K? I read an article that the TiVo will stream Game of Thrones in 4K but I cannot find anything online backing that up. I have a PS4 pro I mainly use to stream but am willing to buy a Roku or something else if they do stream in 4k.
Dennis Restauro says
I don’t think Game of Thrones streams 4K. I want to put together a guide, but it’s a ton of research. It’s dependent on the show streaming in 4K, the service supporting 4K, and the device supporting the service.
Juztin says
Thats not 4k from the playstation pro only the XBOX ONE S can stream in 4k Sony is using upscaling technology, decent but not as good. I just use my Samsung smart TV it looks best direct instead of using the media consoles.
John A says
I’m a little confused. If I get Sling TV, and pay for the add on of HBO is that the same as HBO Go /HBO Now? Through Sling TV, will I be able to access archived stuff like old episodes of GoT or does that take one of the apps. I’m guessing I will buy a Roku to stream with. Thanks!
Dennis Restauro says
Yes, HBO through Sling TV will give you Live and On Demand content.
Jeffrey Boerst says
My sad situation is that I don’t own a smartphone or any other device than a computer. A really nice one but ONLY a computer. I want to be able to use HBO streaming like Hulu or NetFlix. But I need to invest in another piece of electronics I don’t want or will even use, other than to initiate this service on my box. WTF HBO?
Dennis Restauro says
You can watch all those services in your browser on your computer. You don’t need the extra Device. Those are just an easy way to watch on your TV.
Lara says
Part 2. I like the interface of the DVR though. I use my blue ray for internet, but it seems slower, less flexible, more bearable quality, less HD and more hitches. Any suggestions?
Dennis Restauro says
Lara, do you mean DirecTV or DirecTV Now?
Lara says
Thanks for all the great info! We have 5 TV’s at our house and potentially 4 people watching different things. We have direct TV for cable and separate high speed internet. We use Netflix as well.
Dennis Restauro says
Sure thing Lara. Thank you for reading.
Pat says
We are now transitioning and have sling TV in SC. What is your best advise for a second home in FL for HBO and just paying once. We had HBO go and could use in both places. And, yes, we have Cromecast in both locations.
Thanks,
Dennis Restauro says
Sling TV is account based. I haven’t tried using mine in a second location, but it might work as long as someone else isn’t logged in at the same time. I have HBO Now and that works anywhere I go.
Tami Carlson says
I appreciate all of your advice. I, too, am looking to cut the cord and provide some cost savings. Currently, we are looking at PlayStation Vue and HBO Go.
Thank you!
Tami Carlson
Omaha, NE
Dennis Restauro says
Thanks Tami. You will want to look into HBO Now. HBO Go is for cable subscribers.
Roxanne Snyder says
I have Paystation Vue and HBO as an add on. When you sign up for PSVue you go to the premium stations and choose what you want. Then you get billed once a month for Vue and HBO, one payment. Easy peasy.
Treuz says
I have 65″ Samsung UHDTV screen with a HBO app but it won’t start. There is a sign up option but it won’t play. It keeps posting Error Processing Payment when i enter my email for them to send instruction to register.
Dennis Restauro says
You would have to talk to support of the service you set it up under.
Jack says
Two issues:
1) What about those of us who like watching real Hi-Def on a large screen? Are there services better with HD than others? Anything looks good on a small screen, but on big screens it can vary a lot.
2) What if you live so far from the broadcast antennas that a digital antenna has no value? What’s the next best option?
Dennis Restauro says
I recommend trying out various services to see if any are worse off on a big screen. They all offer free trials so you can just cancel if you aren’t happy with the picture. As for not having a digital antenna, I go into various streaming options in my article on how to watch local TV.
deryl says
my problem: cable one will cut off my tv unless I get the new cable box from them. However at this time I have cable through out my house, after the required box , I must have an additional box for each tv. I wish to go to an Ota , however, here again is the problem. Apparently, my internet comes in to a filter and mixed with the cable tv input to the house. I have had no luck attempting isolate my internet signal from my tv signal, which I must do in order to install an antenna.
Dennis Restauro says
Deryl You’re internet will come over you existing line. When you get an antenna, a new line needs to be run from the antenna to the TV. The 2 lines are completely separate systems.
Bill Carter says
We’re not into sports.. but want HBO and HD
Could save a couple of bucks by getting HBO direct and use my Chromecast..is that correct
Dennis Restauro says
Yes HBO NOW works with Chromecast.
Vickie says
Trying to lower our $200 a month cable bill. Your advice on how to keep all football games available to the husband would be appreciated. He said he needs NBC CBS ESPN and FOX. My research shows that I will need to purchase Sling TV $40 plan and a separate $6.99 for CBS. I would like access to local stations for myself and game of thrones for which I believe I can purchase the HBO app for the few months needed then cancel. We currently have Netflix and recently purchased an Amazon Fire stick. Any advice will be greatly appreciated
Dennis Restauro says
It sounds like what you have listed would work. However, I recommend a TV antenna for broadcast networks. Have you checked this article on watching the NFL without cable to get an idea of all your options?
Anthony says
I do hope you can find a way….to at least help folks watch Game of Thrones without the need to pay some fee before doing so. SlingTV or HBO Now….still require a $15/month charge….which is still $180/year….when most of the time HBO is nothing but repeats for 3 weeks out of the month. One week on new shows is hardly worth spending anything on…..
What we did was cancel everything and sign up for Comcast Internet Only Service….and ROKU was a one time fee… So, I’ve gone from $250/month to $30. And, there are no other charges for us to worry about.
I signed up for your email…so I will be reading and catching up as a fellow IT guy…..
THANKS
Dennis Restauro says
That’s the beauty of cord cutting though. There are no contracts. Just pick up HBO Now while Game of Thrones is on, and drop it after the season finale. That should only run you about $45 per year. That’s much more reasonable.
Mark Ducker says
I get the “cut the cord” enthusiasm to get away from Cable. But what if the Cable is your best Internet connection too? How do you get a quality Internet connection without being tied to a cable company?
Dennis Restauro says
That’s the rub Mark. Many of us, including myself, are still paying a cable company for internet. However, I’m currently researching options for folks to completely break free. I’m hoping to have something put together soon.
Corinne says
Hi Dennis,
Your info is wonderful and very simple but I am a dinosaur when it comes to TV. If my husband and I no longer wish to pay over $150 for cable to simply watch live TV (local and major networks-not the premium channels) on a few preferred channels (@20 total) on multiple TVs in our home, what would you recommend for us. I have searched many of the options you suggest but have not found the Golf channel or the Hallmark channels in any of the list of offerings provided by SlingTV, and others. I cannot seem to grasp what the Roku actually does. We would appreciate any guidance you can offer
Dennis Restauro says
Check out my post What is Roku for information on how a Roku works. As for your situation an antenna would cover most of what your need. Unfortunately, the golf channels isn’t currently available without cable, but Feeln carries a lot of Hallmark classics.