With season 5 of Outlander still a few months out, fans have been looking for ways to stream the first four seasons of Starz’s hit drama online. The first two seasons of Outlander are already available on Netflix, though Starz has withheld the last two, leaving fans in a panic as we get closer to the season 5 premiere. So, when will season 4 of Outlander hit Netflix?

‘Outlander’ stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan | Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for STARZ

Fans will have to wait longer for season 4 of ‘Outlander’

Seasons 1 and 2 of Outlander arrived on Netflix earlier this year, much to the surprise of most fans.

Starz had been keeping a tight lock on the franchise and was only allowing fans to watch previous seasons on its own streaming service. The deal with Netflix, however, was too good to pass up and the network jumped at the chance to gain more viewers.

The only catch is that Netflix was not allowed access to seasons 3 and 4. There was some speculation that all of the previous seasons would become available in the weeks leading up to the season 5 premiere, but that does not seem to be the case anymore.

According to Claire and Jamie, there is a strong chance that the last season of Outlander will not be available on Netflix until after season 5 is underway. That could change leading up to the new season, but it is not looking good at the moment.

Why hasn’t Starz released seasons 3 and 4 on Netflix?

Turns out there is a very good reason why Starz has not released all of the seasons of Outlander on Netflix — and it all comes down to winning over a new crowd.

One of the reasons Starz inked a deal with Netflix was to promote Outlander on a larger platform. The network hoped to hook fans with the first two seasons and get them to watch the next two on its streaming service.

Once season 5 is airing, Starz has no reason to withhold the previous season from Netflix. If anything, allowing fans access to them will draw more attention to season 5, increasing the show’s ratings.

If that is the case, then it is very likely that season 4 will air on Netflix in the days leading up to the season 5 premiere. That does not give fans a lot of time to catch up, but it is better than nothing.

This is when season 3 of ‘Outlander’ will hit Netflix

While fans have a long time to wait for season 4, Netflix just confirmed that season 3 of Outlander will be available to stream on Dec. 10.

This gives fans a whole two months to watch — and re-watch — season 3 of Outlander before the new season premieres on Starz in February.

That said, there are some locations around the world that have access to all four seasons through Netflix, but they are all outside of the United States.

Starz has not revealed when season 4 of Outlander will hit Netflix in the states. If the network does not release the fourth season prior to the upcoming premiere, then it might withhold it until 2020.

That would entice fans to purchase a subscription to Starz in order to get caught up before the season 5 premiere. Fans, of course, would have to do that anyway if they want to keep up with the new season.

What about the 2019 Golden Globes?

Season 4 of Outlander premiered back in 2018, fans have been wondering if Outlander will be eligible for the 2020 Golden Globes.

The upcoming award ceremony will honor shows that aired in 2019. With Outlander releasing a total of four installments at the beginning of the year, it is officially eligible for the 2020 Golden Globes.

Whether or not the series will actually walk away with any nominations, however, is yet to be seen. The show has been snubbed by the Golden Globes in the past, so it would not be surprising if that trend continues.

Filming for the new season of Outlander is currently underway in Scotland. The series is set to premiere on February 16, 2020, on Starz.