How to watch HBO in the UK

HBO is the most popular and acclaimed cable network in America, closely associated with the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of television, thanks to massive series such as The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones and Westworld. He has also had some recent hits with Heir and Euphoria connections.

Despite this success and the popularity of these big shows, it’s surprisingly difficult to watch HBO live or browse its back catalog in many countries other than the UK or the US. Here’s how to access the network’s back catalog from anywhere with the HBO Max streaming service, and the best ways to watch HBO shows on UK channels.

How to watch HBO Max in the UK

If you want guaranteed access to everything HBO produces — including Warner Bros.’s extensive content catalog — the easiest way is to sign up for the HBO Max streaming service. The ad-free version costs $14.99 per month or $9.99 for ad-supported content.

The full version of this Netflix-style streaming site lets you watch all HBO content. While it doesn’t include the option to live stream the HBO channel itself, it does add a lot of original programming and movies within minutes of prime time, so you can watch the latest episode of Westworld virtually live.

With the Warner Bros. back catalog, you have access to all ten seasons of great movies like Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and West Side Story and The Matrix.

Other content includes nearly the entire DC library, the Studio Ghibli film collection, the Crunchyroll anime and exclusive originals including the Friends reunion special and the Justice League Snyder Cut.

The big downside is that HBO uses geo-targeting to block non-US users; So if you go to the HBO Max website, you will only see an error message. Of course, there is a way around this: use a VPN. It hides your IP address, allowing you to surf the web as if you were in another country – in which case, HBO will believe you’re trying to watch from the US unless you’re connecting through a US server.

Our highly recommended VPN is NordVPN, which you can sign up for for just a few pounds a month. If you want to check out some of the other VPNs we’ve tested that are more suitable for streaming platforms like HBO Max, you can also check out our guide to the best VPNs for video streaming.

HBO Max billing information

Once you’ve signed up for the VPN of your choice, you’ll need to download it to your iOS or Android device, as you’ll need it for your payment information. The HBO Max website only allows you to sign up if you have a US-linked payment card. If you don’t have it, here are the steps you need to follow:

Launch the VPN on your iOS/Android device and connect to a US server
Create a new Apple ID/Google Play account in your browser connected to the US (leave country blank)
Register your new App Store account on your iOS/Android device
You should now access the US App Store – download and install the HBO Max app
Tap ‘Skip’ if the App Store asks you to add payment information to your iOS/Google Play account before installing HBO Max
Create a new HBO Max app account with your email address and password
Use PayPal as payment method (can be a UK account)
If you’ve set up two-factor authentication, verify PayPal with your phone number
Once your account is verified, you can log in from any device

If the device you’re using has a VPN, you can now watch HBO Max as if you were in the US.

If you’re having more trouble, visit our complete guide to subscribing to HBO Max from abroad.

As always, be aware that when using a VPN to access content abroad, you’ll be violating HBO Now’s terms of use, so the company could theoretically suspend your account if you’re found using a VPN. Proceed at your own risk.

Watch HBO shows on Sky Atlantic or Now

If signing up for a VPN and HBO Max sounds like too much work – or money – there’s one more option in the UK: Sky Atlantic.

Sky has struck a deal with HBO to stream the US network’s shows exclusively in the UK, meaning most of HBO’s best shows – including House of the Dragon and Euphoria – will air on Sky Atlantic. In addition, the channel offers many programs from other premium American networks such as AMC and Showtime.

Because of this premium content, you can’t add Sky Atlantic to a TV package with another provider – this is exclusive to Sky subscribers. So if you want to watch the latest HBO shows on Sky Atlantic, you need to subscribe to Sky. This can be done by purchasing a Sky Q box, Sky Class TV or the more flexible option, a Sky Stream box.

There’s a cheaper way to access the same content: Sky Atlantic shows are also included in the Now Entertainment membership, which costs £9.99 a month and lets you stream a range of TV programmes, including Sky channels and HBO series. Phone, Game Console, Smart TV or PC. Thanks to the seven-day free trial, you can try it now.

It’s the cheapest way to watch HBO shows in the UK right now, but it comes with one big drawback: while it always has the latest shows, access to the service’s back catalog varies considerably as licensing deals change.