How to Watch HBO Without Cable in 2024

In the world of cable TV, HBO has played a monumental role. It helped put cable television on the map. Before HBO, major high-quality productions were bound by the confines of network television — you know — the major three: NBC, ABC, and CBS. Cable made its way onto the TV entertainment scene in 1948 in response to poor TV signal reception. Yet it wasn’t until HBO made its debut in 1965 that cable television became a luxury item subscribers selected out of choice and not necessity.

Fast forward three decades, and among other premium channels like MTV, ESPN, and Nickelodeon, HBO had become known as the go-to source for gripping TV entertainment. Today HBO continues to excel in pushing the envelope and creating blockbuster programming (Think “Game of Thrones”). Nowadays, however, you don’t have to stick with cable just to enjoy your HBO. We’ll show you how to break free of the cord and keep this coveted jewel of a channel.

The number one easiest way to watch HBO is through their stand-alone app, Max, which is reasonably priced and compatible with most smart devices. If you don’t want to clutter your screen with a bazillion apps, we understand. You can also watch HBO as a premium channel by adding it to one of your existing livestreaming TV apps. Here are all the ways you can watch HBO right now:

• Max
• Hulu + Live TV
• DIRECTV
• YouTube TV

Big-budget TV that you’ll find on HBO belongs on big-screen TVs! So yes, HBO is available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast. But those are not the only devices you can use to stream it, as most modern devices support HBO streaming through the above services.

So, now you know how to catch HBO content through your favorite livestreaming services. But, what are you going to watch? No worries, check out this list of some of our favorite HBO shows and originals that you can stream right now:

• “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
• “Succession”
• “Euphoria”
• “Insecure”
• “The Righteous Gemstones”

If you adore HBO, can we suggest a couple of other channels worth a go? We’ll start with Cinemax, which is actually a sister station to HBO. It’s not as flashy, but it’s still got a solid lineup of programming. To find out more about getting this channel, head on over to our guide to watching Cinemax without cable.

Let’s move beyond HBO and AT&T and over to Showtime and CBS for our second recommendation. Showtime built its reputation on originals like “Weeds” and “Dexter,” and it continues to bolster that reputation with shows like “Shameless” and a “Dexter” reboot. Our How to Watch Showtime Without Cable page can tell you more about snagging Showtime and catching up on whatever Dexter’s been doing since that whole lumberjack phase.

We should also mention STARZ as a channel you might like if you’re already a fan of HBO. More than 20 years ago, STARZ ran a commercial that concluded with the tagline, “When I want movies, I want to see STARZ!” STARZ still has plenty of movies, but it also has original television shows too. For more on Starz and its offerings, go to our How to Watch STARZ Without Cable page.