Flixed.io's contributors and editorial team will often recommend products we believe to be useful for our readers. We may receive an affiliate commission from product sales generated through these affiliate links.
DirecTV Stream
Number one in live TV channel variety
The original and continued pioneer of creating groundbreaking TV—housing series such as The Wire, Barry, and current darling _House of the Dragon—_HBO hosts a mix of TV, docuseries, and movie programming.
For a look at its own streaming service, HBO Max, we have a review of it ready for your viewing.
There are many ways to watch HBO without cable, including YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream.
But our team's pick for most people to watch HBO, is DirecTV Stream. Here's why:
- Big families (or roommates or friends) can watch DirecTV Stream without stress, as they offer up to -1 simultaneous streams.
- DirecTV Stream is available in every region of the United States. (Viewers outside the US can try to access DirecTV Stream with a VPN, like ExpressVPN — or one of our other top VPNs.)
If, for whatever reason, watching HBO on DirecTV Stream doesn't work for you, we've also rounded up another option. Let's get into the best options for everyone.
Our top 2 picks for streaming HBO without cable
DirecTV Stream Entertainment
Try 4 days free
Top pick
- 75+ channels
- Stream on unlimited devices at home
- Unlimited DVR space
- Three months of Max free
$86.99/month
directv.com
YouTube TV Spanish
Only $24.99 for the first 6 months
Budget pick
- Unlimited DVR space
- 6 accounts to share at home
- Stream on three screens
- 30+ Spanish channels
$34.99/month
tv.youtube.com
Top pick: Stream HBO on DirecTV Stream
If you're looking for the best way to stream HBO, DirecTV Stream is our team's top pick. Using our streaming recommendation system, the Flixed team has determined that DirecTV Stream is the best way for most people to watch what's live on HBO because it offers the ideal combination of price, channels, and features.
Watch HBO with DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream Entertainment
Try 4 days free
- 75+ channels
- Stream on unlimited devices at home
- Unlimited DVR space
- Three months of Max free
$86.99/month
DirecTV Stream Optimo Mas
- 100+ live TV channels
- Spanish and English programming
- Three months of Max free
- Unlimited DVR space
$86.99/month
DirecTV Stream Choice
Try 4 days free
- 105+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$114.99/month
DirecTV Stream Ultimate
Try 4 days free
- 140+ live channels
- Unlimited DVR space
- Includes regional sports networks
- Three months of Max free
$129.99/month
DirecTV Stream Premier
- Unlimited DVR space
- 150+ channels
- Includes Max Cinemax SHOWTIME and STARZ
- Includes regional sports networks
$169.99/month
Other channels on DirecTV Stream include: Cable News Network, HLN, Turner Classic Movies, TV Land, A&E, AMC, BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery Family Channel, E! Entertainment Television, ESPNU, Freeform, FX, Science, FYI, MTV2: Music Television, Animal Planet, BBC America, CMT, and more.
Devices supported by DirecTV Stream include: android, web-browsers, chromecast, ios, amazon-fire-tv, android-tv, and samsung-tv.
Our DirecTV Stream review also includes more about why our team loves DirecTV Stream.
Budget pick: Stream HBO on YouTube TV
Youtube TV is next cheapest option and is well worth the price tag with all that it has to offer. Coming with over a hundred channels, unlimited DVR space, and a whole bunch of other great features, you won’t regret splurging just a little on Youtube TV.
Watch HBO with YouTube TV
YouTube TV Spanish
Only $24.99 for the first 6 months
- Unlimited DVR space
- 6 accounts to share at home
- Stream on three screens
- 30+ Spanish channels
$34.99/month
YouTube TV
Only $54.99 for the first 3 months
- Unlimited DVR space
- 6 accounts for one price
- Stream on three screens
- 100+ live TV channels
$72.99/month
Other channels on YouTube TV include: Cable News Network, HLN, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Turner Classic Movies, TV Land, AMC, BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, E! Entertainment Television, ESPNU, Freeform, FX, MTV2: Music Television, Animal Planet, BBC America, beIN Sports, CMT, CNBC, Disney Junior, and more.
Take a look at what's live on YouTube TV right now.
Devices supported by YouTube TV include: chromecast, web-browsers, android, android-tv, apple-tv, and samsung-tv.
Our team shares even more comprehensive analysis of YouTube TV in our YouTube TV review. For the true budget streamer, we've also compiled a list of our favorite free streaming services.
All the streaming services where HBO is or isn't available
The choices for watching HBO aren't limited to our top picks. Here's where you can and can't watch HBO without cable.
Yes, HBO is included in your DirecTV Stream subscription. In fact, that's why DirecTV Stream is our top pick for watching HBO without cable.
Read our full review of DirecTV Stream and visit our TV guide to DirecTV Stream to find out what you can watch right now.
No, HBO isn't included in your Philo subscription. That's why we recommend trying DirecTV Stream.
No, HBO isn't included in your Sling subscription. That's why we recommend trying DirecTV Stream.
No, HBO isn't included in your Fubo subscription. That's why we recommend trying DirecTV Stream.
No, HBO isn't included in your Hulu Live TV subscription. That's why we recommend trying DirecTV Stream.
Yes, HBO is included in your YouTube TV subscription.
Read our full review of YouTube TV and visit our TV guide to YouTube TV to find out what you can watch right now.
Watching HBO on top devices
No matter what device you have at home, it's probably possible to watch HBO on it — yes, even without cable. Read on to learn which streamers support both your device and HBO live streams.
How to watch HBO on Roku devices
It's definitely possible to watch HBO on your Roku device, be it a streaming stick or actual Roku TV. Subscribe to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream to get HBO on Roku.
How to watch HBO on an Android smart TV
Have a Samsung smart TV or another type of Android TV? These are some of the easiest to use to get HBO access without cable. Just subscribe to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream to get HBO on your Android smart TV.
How to watch HBO on an Amazon Fire TV
Whether you have a Fire TV Stick or a Cube or another device, you can get access to HBO. Alexa, sign up for to DirecTV Stream to get HBO on Amazon devices.
How to stream HBO on iOS
Have an iPhone? An iPad? Not every app is available on Apple's App Store, but depending on the streaming service you. have, you can watch HBO on an iOS device with ease. Subscribe to DirecTV Stream to get HBO on your iOS device.
How to watch HBO on Android phones
You can watch HBO on your Pixel or Samsung or Nokia or whatever type of Android you have! Just subscribe to YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream to get HBO on Android phones.
The bottom line: you have 2 great options for watching without cable
We found 2 great options for watching without cable. While our top pick is DirecTV Stream, there are 1 other ways to watch live programming, including YouTube TV. The cheapest option is YouTube TV.
Check out what's airing right now in our TV Guide. Then, read up on the business of streaming in the Stream Report and the most popular streaming content in The Popcorner.
Davan Hamilton • Editor
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry. Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
Read Next
Channels → HBO Comedy
Flixed Team – November 5, 2024
