Winter is coming with Game of Thrones season 7 returning Sunday night on HBO, but that doesn’t mean people without a cable subscription will be left in the cold. Here’s how cord-cutters can watch.
When Game of Thrones superfans are transported back to Westeros for the drama’s season 7 premiere Sunday night, it’ll be yet another reminder of how lucky we all are to be living in the Golden Age of prestige television. Of course, it’s also the Golden Age of TV programming platform choices.
According to a 2016 report, more than one in five U.S. households have done away with their cable subscriptions. By the end of 2016, the data research firm that conducted the survey projected that nearly 22 percent of U.S. households would be cable-free (of course, that number includes the houses that never had cable to begin with). So where does that leave cord-cutting fans of bingeworthy shows like GoT? Don’t worry, there are plenty of options for getting your Targaryen fix.
Online platforms and streaming services are having a definite moment. Aside from the fact that online platforms nabbed 111 Emmy nominations earlier this week; many of those aforementioned cord-cutters (and others) rely on streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and other services to churn out original shows, movies, and specials all the time. Plus, the platforms themselves are always growing in terms of what they offer. Exhibit A? Hulu.
Hulu
Hulu announced that users can now add HBO to their monthly service for an additional $14.99 per month. The timing of this shift in service coinciding with the GoT premiere seems to be no accident. HBO packages are available for both Hulu’s streaming service and its new live TV option. Lucky for you.
HBO Now
The whole HBO Go versus HBO Now thing is a little confusing, if we’re being honest. But it’s not as tricky as it seems. HBO Go is the premium channel’s streaming service included in your channel subscription. HBO Now is also a streaming service, but it’s one users can access without having a cable subscription. A la carte HBO, if you will. HBO Now users can watch Sex and the City, The Wire, The Sopranos, and obviously most importantly, Game of Thrones, via HBO Now on iOS devices, Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, and other smart TV applications.
Sling TV
For those who want a particularly affordable option, Sling TV may be worth considering. Sling (which even refers to itself as “a la carte TV”) is available on iOS devices, Android devices, Fire TV, and other apps. HBO can be added to its basic or second-tier channel package (each package is $20 and $25, respectively) for $15 per month.
Next: Helpful tips for watching TV online
No matter how you tune in, make sure you don’t miss Sunday night’s Game of Thrones premiere on HBO at 8 p.m. ET. Everyone will be buzzing about it by Monday morning.