Winter is coming for Game of Thrones fans. The eighth and final season of HBO’s hit show, based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, will premiere at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. HBO confirmed that season eight will be the shortest season yet, with six episodes clocking in between 50 and 82 minutes, but judging by the official trailer there will be plenty of drama, death, and dragons packed into those 432 minutes.
Of course, an HBO account is required to watch the final Game of Thrones episodes (and to catch up on the last seven seasons). But in the age of streaming, there are plenty of options. Gone are the days when you had to call your cable company to add an HBO package. Many streaming services offer premium add-ons, while HBO itself offers a streaming-only service. Below, we break down how to stream Game of Thrones on each streaming platform.
Direct from HBO
There are two options to stream directly from HBO itself — the version you can use depends on if you subscribe to HBO through a traditional cable package or as a standalone service.
HBO Go
Those who subscribe to HBO through a cable or satellite package can stream Game of Thrones live or on demand via the HBO Go service. The HBO Go app is available on most phones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. Check if your device is supported at HBO’s Help Center.
Stream Game of Thrones on HBO Go.
HBO Now
Cord cutters can still watch HBO on the network’s own platform. HBO Now is a standalone service, so it doesn’t require a cable subscription or another streaming platform; you stream directly from the HBO Now website or app. A one-week free trial is available — after that it’s $14.99 per month.
Stream Game of Thrones on HBO Now.
On streaming platforms
Many streaming services allow users to add HBO to your subscription for an extra monthly fee, with the exception of DirecTV which includes HBO. Subscribing through a digital streaming service also includes access to HBO Now.
Amazon Channels
In addition to the TV shows and movies available free to Prime members, Amazon offers add-on premium subscriptions through the Amazon Channels program. The HBO add-on costs $14.99 per month (the same as HBO Now). Most devices allow live streaming from the Amazon Prime Video app, but check Amazon’s official list if you’re worried about it.
Stream Game of Thrones on Amazon Channels.
Hulu
Hulu also offers an HBO add-on for $14.99, which allows live HBO streaming whether or not you subscribe to Hulu’s live TV subscription tier. It’s important to note that the Hulu app for PlayStation 4 doesn’t allow any live streaming. PS4-based Hulu users aren’t out of luck though. As noted above, subscribing via Hulu also grants access to HBO Now, so you can stream live through the PlayStation HBO Now app.
Stream Game of Thrones on Hulu.
PlayStation Vue
Sony’s own TV subscription service, PlayStation Vue, is another option. HBO is available as an add-on to a multichannel package or as a standalone subscription. It costs $14.99 per month either way. The PlayStation Vue Ultra package, which costs $79.99 per month, includes HBO and Showtime.
Stream Game of Thrones on PlayStation Vue.
DirecTV Now
AT&T’s streaming service is the only subscription that includes HBO at its base level, though at $50 per month it’s the most expensive plan on the market. Because DirecTV Now operates more like a traditional cable package, subscribers have access to HBO Go, rather than HBO Now.
Stream Game of Thrones on DirecTV now.
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