Before Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, there was HBO. The premium channel had already been churning out high-quality content, including original shows, for years before the streaming set came along. HBO pioneered the Golden Age of TV back in the 1990s and 2000s. And when its streaming brethren came along, HBO didn't miss a beat: it made its service available to stream online through a variety of different streaming services, including its own standalone subscription offering, HBO NOW. So what is HBO NOW? How is it different from HBO GO or getting HBO as part of Amazon Channels? Here's what you need to know about HBO NOW.
HBO GO service for this country is not available at your current location. The official site for HBO, discover full episodes of original series, movies, schedule information, exclusive video content, episode guides and more.
What Shows and Movies Are on HBO NOW?
HBO NOW offers on-demand streaming of all things HBO. That means popular movies in HBO's streaming library, which tends toward new releases and critical gems. It also means HBO's acclaimed original series, including modern hits like Game of Thrones and classic titles like The Sopranos.
HBO's streaming catalog is relatively lean when you compare it to that of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon (and, for that matter, free streaming champ Tubi TV). But HBO's catalog is full of really high-quality stuff. Its movie selection includes fresh hits that were just recently in theaters, and HBO tends to go for exclusive streaming rights deals that mean HBO's movies can be watched only on HBO (unless you want to buy them, of course). And if you're a TV buff, then you know that HBO's original series are second to none. While the competition has certainly put out plenty of good stuff, HBO is sitting on all-time-great TV shows like The Wire. Here are some of the highlights.
Shows
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Entourage
- Flight of the Conchords
- Game of Thrones
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Oz
- Silicon Valley
- The Sopranos
- True Detective
- Veep
- Westworld
- The Wire
Movies
- Blade Runner 2049
- The Shape of Water
- Game Night
- Wonder Woman
What Devices Can I Use to Watch HBO NOW?
HBO NOW is HBO's standalone streaming service, which makes it a little different from HBO GO (more on that later). But one thing that HBO NOW has in common with HBO GO, as well as with the other big-time streaming services, is that it is available on a whole lot of devices.
You can download the HBO NOW app on your mobile device. You can also get it on most streaming platforms and streaming devices, making it easy to watch HBO NOW on your big screen. And HBO NOW works in your browser, as well, so you can always just watch HBO NOW on your computer if that's what you'd prefer.
Here's a handy list of the platforms that work well with HBO NOW:
Streaming Platforms and Devices
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- Fire TV
- Roku
Mobile devices
- Android
- iOS (iPhones and iPads)
Video game consoles
- PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
- Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Other
- In-browser app (for PC, Mac, and other computers)
- Samsung Smart TVs
How Much Does HBO NOW Cost?
HBO NOW is the most direct way to subscribe to HBO. It's HBO's own streaming service, and you can sign up for it on your computer or other favorite streaming device.
HBO NOW costs $14.99 per month.
That's the same amount as you would pay to get HBO in most other ways. For instance, subscribing to HBO through Amazon Channels costs $14.99 as well, and adding HBO to your Sling TV skinny bundle subscription costs $15 per month.
But what if you already pay for HBO? Maybe you HBO through Sling TV already, or have it through (gasp!) a cable or satellite subscription. Does this mean you can use HBO NOW for free?
Not quite: HBO actually has two different apps. HBO NOW is for direct subscriptions. There's another, separate app – HBO GO – for those who are already paid HBO subscribers. If you already have HBO through another pay TV service, you can enter login information to confirm that with HBO GO and then watch HBO online, free (or, perhaps more accurately, HBO online at no additional charge) using HBO GO.
So, to recap: if you don't have HBO, you can sign up through HBO NOW and stream HBO on HBO NOW. If you already have HBO, then you can use a pay TV login to stream your subscription in HBO GO. Got all that?
Deals on HBO NOW
HBO is great, but getting it for less is ever greater. So is there a way to get HBO NOW on the cheap?
Well, there's always the free trial. You can try out HBO NOW for free for a week before you have a pay a dime. That's plenty of time to catch up on some of your favorites.
Other than that, sales on HBO NOW are pretty rare. But we'll keep you posted here on Cordcutting.com, and we'll also give you more general tips for getting HBO affordably.
Getting an HBO NOW Free Trial
If that HBO NOW free trial has got you excited, we've got you covered. Here's how to sign up for HBO NOW.
HBO NOW is HBO's direct subscription app, so you can sign up for the service right there in the app. If you've never been a customer before, you'll be signed up for a week-long free trial offer first. If you cancel at any time during the trial, you won't be charged. So hope on your mobile device or click this link to sign up for HBO NOW's free trial.
If you go to sign up for HBO NOW online, HBO will just tell you to go sign up on a device (though you can still click that link for a quick recap of which devices can be used to sign up for – and use – HBO NOW).
HBO NOW Contracts
Those of us who are used to getting HBO through cable may be having nightmares right now about long-term contracts and cancellation fees. Fear not: HBO NOW is a whole lot more like Netflix and Hulu than it is like cable or satellite.
When you sign up for HBO NOW, you're signing up for a month-to-month service. Whenever you cancel, your subscription will terminate at the end of the current pay period.
So if you cancel the day before your subscription would auto-renew, your cancellation will happen pretty quickly. If you cancel the day after you pay for a whole new month, then you will have HBO NOW through the end of that month (and won't get that month's fee back). The most you're on the hook for at any given time is a single month's payment.
How to Cancel HBO NOW
Canceling HBO NOW can be a bit trickier than canceling some other services. That's because HBO NOW generally requires you to cancel your subscription on whatever platform you used to sign up for it.
HBO NOW allows you to sign up for just HBO and to stream HBO on HBO's own app (which is called HBO NOW, of course). But it's not always billed to you directly by HBO. If you sign up for HBO NOW on your iPhone, for instance, HBO will bill you through your Apple account. To cancel HBO NOW, you have to use your iOS device.
Generally speaking, canceling HBO NOW will require you to navigate into the settings of your device – we're talking the general device settings, here, not just the settings within the HBO NOW app – and then find your subscriptions settings and cancel HBO NOW there. For detailed instructions for iPads and iPhones, check out our piece on how to cancel HBO NOW on iOS.
All About HBO NOW
HBO NOW has a lot to offer, which is why we talk about it pretty often right here on Cordcutting.com. Check out our coverage for more on HBO NOW, plus everything you need to know about HBO GO, other ways to subscribe to HBO, HBO originals, and HBO in general. Type 'HBO' into our search bar or click on the related stories on this page for more.
With more people ditching traditional cable TV for streaming services, companies have had to create new platforms of viewing content. HBO, which stands for Home Box Office, started in November of 1972 and has managed to not only stay all these years afloat but also remain relevant even with modern viewers. HBO Now is one way they are doing that.
What is HBO Now?
In 2015, HBO launched HBO Now, which is not just a streaming add-on to their cable version, but a standalone app to stream their content. That means you don't even have to have cable to view the excellent shows for which HBO is known.
Currently, you can watch content the same day it is released on the traditional cable version through HBO Now, so there is no delay in keeping up with popular shows. For now, HBO Now is partnered with Apple Inc. and Apple TV, and through the Apple store, you can get a free trial of HBO Now for one month, along with occasional incentives and promotions.
Pricing and Competition
Naturally, price is one of the factors in selecting a streaming service, and this is where HBO comes up against some competition.
Adobe flash cc animation. HBO starts at $14.99 a month and is known for its top-quality programming, not just now, but for a long time. The programming on HBO, especially Sunday night shows as they've become known for, are legendary in television history.
Some of HBO's famous programming include current content like Euphoria, Barry, and West World. Past shows include Game of Thrones, True Blood, Entourage, Girls, Deadwood, True Detective, Big Love, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City. If you go way back, it was HBO that aired Tales from the Crypt.
That's a pretty tough lineup to beat if you're into shows that take on an almost movie/saga quality. If you're a die-hard fan of that type of content, some of the competition will likely fall short when it comes to production and content value, even if you do save a few bucks.
Netflix
A significant rival in streaming is, of course, Netflix. Netflix has three plans: the basic for $8.99 a month, their plan standard for 12.99 a month, and premium for $15.99 a month.
Most people don't necessarily need the Netflix premium plan, as the only added benefits are being able to view on four different screens and the option for 'ultra HD.' If you don't care about HD and only need one screen, the basic plan will work for you.
With the standard plan, you can view two screens and get standard HD viewing. So, Netflix will cost between $8.99 and $12.99 a month for most subscribers. Netflix releases entire shows at once, meaning you can binge-watch a whole season instead of waiting each week for a new episode as you must with HBO.
Hulu
Hulu starts even cheaper at $5.99 a month, offers premium at $11.99 a month, but you can go all the way up to $60.99 a month with their premium plus live TV version. Hulu may lack some of the variety that other options present, but they are excellent for streaming mixed with live television.
Amazon
Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99 a month for a standalone membership, or you can access many of their shows with your Prime membership. A considerable number of people already have a Prime membership ($12.99 a month or $119 a year), so Amazon is often an excellent add-on streaming service for viewers.
They do have some high-quality signature content, but some may agree that HBO's high-caliber shows probably still top a lot of Amazon's content, at least for now. However, Amazon releases content all at once, like Netflix, and is no small company. The quality of their content will likely continue to get better and better.
What is HBO Now?
In 2015, HBO launched HBO Now, which is not just a streaming add-on to their cable version, but a standalone app to stream their content. That means you don't even have to have cable to view the excellent shows for which HBO is known.
Currently, you can watch content the same day it is released on the traditional cable version through HBO Now, so there is no delay in keeping up with popular shows. For now, HBO Now is partnered with Apple Inc. and Apple TV, and through the Apple store, you can get a free trial of HBO Now for one month, along with occasional incentives and promotions.
Pricing and Competition
Naturally, price is one of the factors in selecting a streaming service, and this is where HBO comes up against some competition.
Adobe flash cc animation. HBO starts at $14.99 a month and is known for its top-quality programming, not just now, but for a long time. The programming on HBO, especially Sunday night shows as they've become known for, are legendary in television history.
Some of HBO's famous programming include current content like Euphoria, Barry, and West World. Past shows include Game of Thrones, True Blood, Entourage, Girls, Deadwood, True Detective, Big Love, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City. If you go way back, it was HBO that aired Tales from the Crypt.
That's a pretty tough lineup to beat if you're into shows that take on an almost movie/saga quality. If you're a die-hard fan of that type of content, some of the competition will likely fall short when it comes to production and content value, even if you do save a few bucks.
Netflix
A significant rival in streaming is, of course, Netflix. Netflix has three plans: the basic for $8.99 a month, their plan standard for 12.99 a month, and premium for $15.99 a month.
Most people don't necessarily need the Netflix premium plan, as the only added benefits are being able to view on four different screens and the option for 'ultra HD.' If you don't care about HD and only need one screen, the basic plan will work for you.
With the standard plan, you can view two screens and get standard HD viewing. So, Netflix will cost between $8.99 and $12.99 a month for most subscribers. Netflix releases entire shows at once, meaning you can binge-watch a whole season instead of waiting each week for a new episode as you must with HBO.
Hulu
Hulu starts even cheaper at $5.99 a month, offers premium at $11.99 a month, but you can go all the way up to $60.99 a month with their premium plus live TV version. Hulu may lack some of the variety that other options present, but they are excellent for streaming mixed with live television.
Amazon
Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99 a month for a standalone membership, or you can access many of their shows with your Prime membership. A considerable number of people already have a Prime membership ($12.99 a month or $119 a year), so Amazon is often an excellent add-on streaming service for viewers.
They do have some high-quality signature content, but some may agree that HBO's high-caliber shows probably still top a lot of Amazon's content, at least for now. However, Amazon releases content all at once, like Netflix, and is no small company. The quality of their content will likely continue to get better and better.
The HBO Service Options
Within HBO, there are multiple options, and the names might confuse some who don't carefully follow streaming platforms. So, you may want to consider the varying levels of HBO's service when deciding whether HBO Now is for you.
HBO Go
The oldest of the subsets of HBO is that of HBO Go, which is a streaming option for those who still pay for the original cable version of HBO. If you pay for HBO to watch on TV the old fashioned way, you can also stream shows on your tablet or phone when you're not at home. HBO varies in price between $5 and $20 a month depending on your provider and if you're lucky enough to snag a deal when you sign up.
HBO Now
HBO Now is an identical platform as HBO Go, but as mentioned, this is for those who don't want to pay for cable or don't need other cable channels. You still get the streaming platform, but don't have the traditional cable version. HBO Now costs $14.99 a month as of this writing.
HBO Max
So, if there is a cable version, a cable a streaming version, and an only-streaming version, what is HBO Max? HBO Max is Time-Warner and seems to be an attempt to compete with platforms such as Disney+ and other competitors with more kid-friendly content as well as sitcoms (Friends may be one of them in the future).
Many people have negative connotations with older cable companies, one of which was Time-Warner. This platform appears to be a rebranding attempt to create yet another streaming service under the HBO that will not be as limited to the often serious, adult-demographic shows for which HBO is known. With the planned 2020 launch of HBO Max, the cost will be $15 a month.
Some of HBO's Current Shows
As of 2020, HBO is currently airing just some of the following that you can stream through HBO Now (this is only a portion of their current lineup, and several shows are in development):
- Westworld
- Succession
- My Brilliant Friend
- Gentleman Jack
- Euphoria
- His Dark Materials
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Barry
- Los Espookys
- The Righteous Gemstones
- Random Acts of Flyness
- A Black Lady Sketch Show
- True Detective
- Room 104
- Sesame Street
- Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel
- Real Time with Bill Maher
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The programming on HBO Now is undoubtedly one of the most significant selling points. Some streaming platforms may offer more content, but much of it lacks the quality that HBO is known for, and many HBO shows stay on the air for years and sometimes decades.
The Verdict
Hbo Go Price Without Cable
So, is HBO Now worth the price? Like most things, that will depend on the individual and what they value. What you like to watch, how you want to watch it, and if you wish to do away with cable or not will affect your decision.
Our takeaway is this: if you want to save every last penny you possibly can, prefer to binge shows all at once, and prefer a mix of decent productions along with more 'fluff' shows that you can watch and forget about, then no, it's probably not worth it.
When HBO Now is Worth the Price
Iif spending a few extra dollars to watch iconic, top-quality shows is a choice that is worth it in your opinion, then HBO Now might be perfect for you. With current HBO shows, you'll have to wait each week for a new episode, but sometimes the wait is part of the fun.
The upside is that you're less likely to hear spoilers if a co-worker binges a new show all at once in the first night before you get a chance to watch it. If you followed Game of Thrones, we all had to experience that ending at the same time. Tiger King jokes (Netflix) might be tossed around for weeks before you get around to watching it.
Hbo Go Price Malaysia
In the end, the cost difference is not extreme between platforms. The show quality versus binge capability is, though. That's where you'll need to make the real decision in your viewing preferences.