Getting HBO without cable?

[midjd]

We cut the cord with Comcast (except internet) in January and my only regret is not doing it years ago. We have a smart TV/Netflix/Prime, and so far have been able to find or purchase all the shows we want for much less than the ~$100/mo we were paying.

Well, DH is a huge Game of Thrones fan and has not been able to find any way to access current seasons of HBO shows. He apparently can get the most recent season through iTunes somehow, but doesn't want to watch it on the iPad (I don't really blame him). I don't want to buy Apple TV when we already have half the things it offers (Netflix, etc.) and I'd still be paying monthly for the HBO access. 

Are there any ways to get HBO (or HBO shows) without paying for cable? Or is there some way to purchase a series on iTunes and transfer it to a non-Apple TV? 

[ArchietheDragon]

www.popsugar.com/tech/How-Get-HBO-Go-Without-Cable-35437405

[ArchietheDragon]

gizmodo.com/how-to-watch-the-game-of-thrones-on-anything-without-c-1696902432

[midjd]

Archie, you may have just saved my marriage. Thank you. 

[steph08]

Archie beat me to it - I knew they were offering HBO Go without a cable subscription now!

Glad you and your DH's marriage will live to see another season of Game of Thrones (or will it - that is 10 months away).

[midjd]

Jun 18, 2015 12:09:49 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Archie beat me to it - I knew they were offering HBO Go without a cable subscription now!

Glad you and your DH's marriage will live to see another season of Game of Thrones (or will it - that is 10 months away).

He still has to catch up on the most recent season first. Hopefully before he reads any spoilers on Facebook.

[Phoenix84]

I always thought it was a travesty you have to buy a cable package when you only want one or two channels.

All entertainment should be on demand in my opinion. You should only pay for what you want to watch.

[steph08]

We want to cut cable, but sports are the issue in our house. We could watch the majority of our NFL team with just a digital antenna, but hockey and baseball are on our local sports channel, and I don't know how to watch that without a package!

[Cookies Galore]

Jun 18, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 steph08 said:

We want to cut cable, but sports are the issue in our house. We could watch the majority of our NFL team with just a digital antenna, but hockey and baseball are on our local sports channel, and I don't know how to watch that without a package!

Bar budget. Lol.

[justme]

Jun 18, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 steph08 said:

We want to cut cable, but sports are the issue in our house. We could watch the majority of our NFL team with just a digital antenna, but hockey and baseball are on our local sports channel, and I don't know how to watch that without a package!

Sling tv has some sports options. I don't really know though cuz I'm not that hung up on the sports part.

[Tiny]

Jun 18, 2015 12:15:26 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

I always thought it was a travesty you have to buy a cable package when you only want one or two channels.

All entertainment should be on demand in my opinion. You should only pay for what you want to watch.

It is rapidly going in that direction.  I suspect that even "free network TV" over the airwaves will go away as well.  The "free" stuff will just be news and weather and infomercials or some sort of 'scripted' show that centers around some sort of brand,product or personality.  Kinda like the cooking shows where the show is simply a show case for the Chef's restaurant or the products they are using (the stove, pots, pans, dish towels, etc...) with a few fun recipes thrown in.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jun 18, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 steph08 said:

We want to cut cable, but sports are the issue in our house. We could watch the majority of our NFL team with just a digital antenna, but hockey and baseball are on our local sports channel, and I don't know how to watch that without a package!

LOL....my sister did this.  However, her DH is a HUGE sports fan so every weekend (both days) they were in the local sports bar watching games.  When she realized that their bar tabs were much greater than what they paid for cable, they turned it back on again.

[movingforward]

I really wish Showtime would offer services without cable.  Then I wouldn't have to stay a season behind on Shameless and get the DVD from the library. 

I didn't have cable for several years and only watched hulu and Netflix.  I had no issues with it but a couple of months ago AT&T offered me a great deal for a year so I now have regular cable (no premium channels). I really like TNT and have been happily catching up on Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes and Falling Skies on demand.  I am sure cable will get cancelled again next year when the rate goes up because it isn't worth keeping it just for TNT.

I really can't wait until more networks start offering access without cable.

[steph08]

Jun 18, 2015 13:59:23 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I really wish Showtime would offer services without cable.  Then I wouldn't have to stay a season behind on Shameless and get the DVD from the library. 

I didn't have cable for several years and only watched hulu and Netflix.  I had no issues with it but a couple of months ago AT&T offered me a great deal for a year so I now have regular cable (no premium channels). I really like TNT and have been happily catching up on Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes and Falling Skies on demand.  I am sure cable will get cancelled again next year when the rate goes up because it isn't worth keeping it just for TNT.

I really can't wait until more networks start offering access without cable.

I do love Episodes, so losing Showtime would suck.

For TNT - it seems that Sling offers it in the $20/month package - www.cnet.com/news/sling-tv-everything-you-need-to-know/

[movingforward]

Jun 18, 2015 14:51:17 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Jun 18, 2015 13:59:23 GMT -5 movingforward said:

I really wish Showtime would offer services without cable.  Then I wouldn't have to stay a season behind on Shameless and get the DVD from the library. 

I didn't have cable for several years and only watched hulu and Netflix.  I had no issues with it but a couple of months ago AT&T offered me a great deal for a year so I now have regular cable (no premium channels). I really like TNT and have been happily catching up on Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes and Falling Skies on demand.  I am sure cable will get cancelled again next year when the rate goes up because it isn't worth keeping it just for TNT.

I really can't wait until more networks start offering access without cable.

I do love Episodes, so losing Showtime would suck.

For TNT - it seems that Sling offers it in the $20/month package - www.cnet.com/news/sling-tv-everything-you-need-to-know/

SWEET! I have never heard of Sling.  They offer TNT and AMC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NoNamePerson]

Jun 18, 2015 13:49:28 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jun 18, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 steph08 said:

We want to cut cable, but sports are the issue in our house. We could watch the majority of our NFL team with just a digital antenna, but hockey and baseball are on our local sports channel, and I don't know how to watch that without a package!

LOL....my sister did this.  However, her DH is a HUGE sports fan so every weekend (both days) they were in the local sports bar watching games.  When she realized that their bar tabs were much greater than what they paid for cable, they turned it back on again.

And I would probably wind up sliding off the bar stool and passing out before the game was over. Wouldn't know who won until getting online to catch the scores the next day 

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

But, without all of the channels you are forced to get in order to get just the one or two you really want, how would we ever know about all of those "great, highbrow, intellectually-stimulating" shows on TLC??!!

I mean, without Keeping up with the Kardashians, we wouldn't have any reference point for Caitlynn.  Without 8 is Enough we wouldn't know how to afford a large family.  And there's a 20 or 30 page thread these days on the Duggars.

C'mon, people, we're all friends.  This is a judgement-free zone.  Tell us which Real  ousewives show you prefer.   

[8 Bit WWBG]

I am sad that with 10 days remaining on the Apple/TWC exclusivity period, so few details about HBO Now are available. I don't want to pay for a bare bones cable package just to turn around and pay for HBO now. It needs to be standalone.

I think they are afraid people will subscribe, binge watch, then cancel.

[Deleted]

I buy Game of Thrones on DVD and watch them in a weekend. I prefer one cliff hanger a year.

[NoNamePerson]

Jun 20, 2015 7:02:12 GMT -5 oped said:

I buy Game of Thrones on DVD and watch them in a weekend. I prefer one cliff hanger a year.

I haven't watched GofT but I bet if I checked they would have DVD's at library but they would cost .75 probabaly for a season or two. Not sure how they release the series. I have watched a whole season of other shows for .75

I just wish I could get a few of my favorite channels plus sports package and I would be a happy camper 

Oh and should add, not a big TV watcher so really shouldn't even be discussing this!!

[CCL]

You mentioned he doesn't want to watch on iPad. I can easily connect my Kindle to any of my tvs or computer monitor and watch on the larger screen. All it takes is a cable. I frequently watch Amazon Prime this way. Something like that might be an option.