HBO shows are hugely popular. Cable, less so. It's been a dream to get HBO without a cable subscription for a long time. While that reality still isn't fully realized, you can still get HBO GO with almost no bundled TV packages. If you know what to ask for, that is.


As the Wall Street Journal points out, many ISPs like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon have special packages you can order that include HBO's streaming video service without the bajillion TV channels you don't need:

It's like ordering off the secret menu at In-and-Out Burger — you have to know what to ask for: Comcast: "Internet Plus" Time Warner Cable: "Starter TV+HBO and an Internet plan" Verizon FiOS: "50/25 Mbps + Local News and Sports + HBO (or Showtime)" AT&T U-Verse: "HBO Internet Plus" I called up some of the biggest cable companies and representatives from four talked about the packages they offer. This worked for my family with Comcast. We called their hotline and said we wanted to "downgrade" service. After we said the magic words "Internet Plus," we were able to switch from a triple-play package costing $212 per month to "Internet plus" with broadband, about 10 cable channels and HBO (with HBO Go) for about $75 per month. Keep in mind, this eliminates landline phone service through the cable company.


Your mileage may vary, particularly if you need landline services, or if you don't want to pay for any television at all. Still, dropping from over $200 a month to $75 is nothing to sneeze at. And if all you really want is internet and HBO, this might just be the bet option you have right now.

The Secret Code to Get HBO Without Cable TV | Wall Street Journal