Health experts are recommending that people stay indoors and practice self-isolating and social-distancing in the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with businesses shutting down and leaving people with little to do. As one might expect, many are turning to television and movies to keep them occupied while they wait out the current health crisis. And networks and streaming services are offering deals and freebies in order to help.
HBO recently announced that it will be offering viewers free episodes of some of its most popular series. “So, I really want to give everyone my HBO login but I can’t,” said whoever the captions for HBO’s official Twitter account. “Will you accept a bunch of free episodes instead?” How can we say no?
Given that it’s one of HBO’s biggest series, it’s probably no surprise that Game of Thrones is among the TV shows fans can now watch for free — so if you’ve been debating diving back into the world of Westeros (or visiting for the first time), now’s the time to do so. A sprawling fantasy series could be the perfect distraction from everything going on in the world, although viewers may eventually have to purchase episodes once they’re through with the selection available.
Other HBO shows with free episodes include The Sopranos, The Wire, True Detective, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Chernobyl, His Dark Materials Euphoria and more. There are also several documentaries viewers can access for free, including McMillions, about a 2000s-era scandal involving the McDonald’s monopoly game.
HBO is one of many services offering free content or extending free trials to help people cope with the current circumstances. Showtime, Disney+, Hulu, AcornTV, and many others have options for those looking to binge on a budget — though the nice thing about HBO’s free episodes is that the network doesn’t require you to sign up for a trial beforehand. Head here to start the binge!
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Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels