Subscription video-on demand service
HBO Go was an authenticated video-on-demand streaming service of the pay television network HBO. The service originally allowed subscribers to access HBO's on-demand programming via the HBO website, mobile apps, and digital media players, among other devices, through their television providers.
HBO Go was the successor to HBO on Broadband, a service launched in January 2008 exclusively for Time Warner Cable (then a division of HBO parent company Time Warner) customers in Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. HBO on Broadband offered 400 hours of content, including feature films, HBO original movies, specials, and series, at no extra charge for subscribers. Access required both a subscription to HBO and Time Warner Cable's Roadrunner internet service.[1][2]
On February 18, 2010, HBO Go was launched, initially available through Verizon FiOS. Within the first week, the application was downloaded over one million times, and by June 2011, the number surpassed three million.[3][4] At launch, HBO Go was only available on computers through the HBO website. iOS and Android applications were released on April 29, 2011.[5] Over the following years, the service expanded to other providers, including AT&T U-verse,[6] Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable,[7] DirecTV,[8] Dish Network,[9] Suddenlink Communications,[10] Charter Communications,[11][12] and virtual MVPD services like AT&T TV Now, AT&T TV, and Hulu.
In October 2011, Roku became the first television-connected device to support HBO Go, with later availability on Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Samsung Smart TVs, and Xbox. Support for devices was subject to cable provider agreements.[13][14][15][16] In January 2019, HBO Go dropped support for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Samsung Smart TVs manufactured before 2013.[17]
On June 12, 2020, it was announced that HBO Go would be discontinued in the United States on July 31, 2020, in favor of HBO Max.[18] HBO Now, a separate direct-to-consumer version of the HBO service,[19] was also integrated into HBO Max at launch for most subscribers.[20][21]
Warner Bros. Discovery has continued to use the HBO Go branding for services in eight Southeast Asian markets. Although WarnerMedia initially planned to relaunch these services as HBO Max in 2022, the launch was postponed. The services, along with HBO Go in these markets, were rebranded into Max, incorporating Discovery+ content, on November 19, 2024. This effectively brought an end to the HBO Go branding overall after 14 years.[22][23][24][25][26]
HBO Go previously offered a selection of theatrically-released films from studios with distribution deals with HBO, including 20th Century Studios, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures, its sister company. A significant number of titles were added and removed from the service each month.
HBO original series were available on a permanent basis, with new episodes typically becoming available for streaming at the time of their initial broadcast in the United States' Eastern Time Zone on the linear HBO channel.[27]
Several past HBO series were not available on HBO Go, including Tales from the Crypt, Tenacious D, 1st & Ten, Da Ali G Show, and The Ricky Gervais Show.[28] The Larry Sanders Show and Arliss were not added until 2016 and 2018, respectively.[29][30] HBO Go did not provide live streams of HBO's linear channels, though programming was made available following its airing on the network.
Get HBO through your TV provider
Alternatively, you can subscribe to HBO through your television provider. This subscription will grant you access to the HBO television channels (there are seven 24-hour HBO networks on traditional pay television), which you can check the schedule for here. Plus, you’ll be able to use your account details to get Max, too. To learn more, contact your provider.
How do I get HBO on my TV?
There are a couple of ways to watch HBO on your TV (and the rest of your devices). Here’s the breakdown:
Max is the enhanced service featuring all of HBO. With Max, you can stream your favorite award-winning HBO series, blockbuster movies, and rewatch-worthy specials. There’s something to enjoy for every mood, with streamable options spanning a wide range of genres, including comedy, drama, reality, lifestyle, food, true crime, and more.
And good news, you might already have access to Max. HBO Max subscribers automatically get Max, so you won’t miss a beat with your streaming. If you’re a new subscriber, you can visit Max.com to sign up.
Learn more about Max here.
