Game of Thrones – Copyright HBO
Can you watch Game of Thrones on Netflix in 2019 and will season 8 be coming to Netflix? The answer is, unfortunately, the same as when we first covered it 5 years ago. Here’s why Game of Thrones isn’t on Netflix, where you can stream instead and some alternatives on Netflix.
Game of Thrones is the TV adaptation of the Song of Ice and Fire books from author George R.R Martin and is undoubtedly one of the most popular shows in the 21st Century. The first episode premiered 2011, 7 blood filled seasons later and the series is to conclude its main storyline in Season 8.
The eighth season won’t be the final story told in Westeros with a slew of spin-off series planned for release after the final season of Game of Thrones. The final season is due out on April 14th and will consist of only six episodes but will be larger than traditional episodes in length.
Is Game of Thrones on Netflix?
The simple answer to this question is no. Game of Thrones seasons one to eight are not available on Netflix. Let’s now look into why.
First, we need to give you a bit of background at how Netflix and HBO are positioned in the market. HBO views Netflix as a big rival in the premium entertainment space and therefore in the very early days of Netflix, vowed to never put any of their titles on the platform instead opting for its own streaming service, HBO Now.
This has continued right up to the current day with a few exceptions here and there.
For a few years, HBO did have some of their older content on Amazon Prime but that’s since expired resulting in the removal of any titles that were streaming there.
That sadly means that Game of Thrones, however desirable to be on Netflix, will never end up streaming on Netflix, simply because HBO won’t even entertain the option to. Alongside the announcement that Warner Brothers intend to release their own streaming service, if HBO Now is absorbed into the new Warner service then the next streaming home for Game of Thrones will be there.
Ice Dragon in Game of Thrones
There is one exception to the rule. Netflix’s DVD rental service does carry the boxsets. It’ll likely get season 8 of Game of Thrones by Christmas 2019.
Is Game of Thrones on Netflix on other regions?
The story continues around the world. HBO in the majority of regions either operates under its own name or has existing commercial arrangements.
Where else is Game of Thrones Streaming?
Streaming options are available for the show. In the US, HBO GO and HBO Now both carry the show and will stream both new and old episodes. That’s in addition to the fact you can also pick up add-ons on Hulu and Amazon Prime for HBO content too.
In the United Kingdom, NowTV regularly carries older seasons and also gets brand new episodes added shortly after it airs on HBO in the US. If you are a customer of Sky TV and have access to their on-demand services, they routinely have Game of Thrones available to stream.
In Canada, the series is only available to stream through a service called Crave.
What’s similar to Game of Thrones on Netflix?
Netflix isn’t without great fantasy dramas though. In fact, it’s put a significant investment in coming up with its own Game of Thrones over the years.
Big budget historical and fantasy dramas for Netflix have come in the form of titles like Marco Polo, The Last Kingdom and plenty more are available. We’ve compiled a more complete list of other titles you may like if you love Game of Thrones.
Netflix also hasn’t been shy in poaching Game of Thrones talent for its own productions either. Some of the show’s biggest stars have featured in Netflix Originals.
The streaming giant is also invested in content from the Game of Thrones writer George R R Martin. Nightflyers released in February 2019 and had previously aired on the SyFy channel in the US. Due to the poor reception and viewing figures the series received, Nightlfyers was canceled after one season.
What may have not helped the show from performing well was the lack of creative input from the creator himself. The series was made due to a clause in a contract George had signed in the 80s for the film adaptation of Nightflyers. George R R Martin hadn’t realized this a part of the contract he had signed and was just as surprised as many others that a show based on his work was being created.
George R.R. Martin Nightflyers
Are you excited for the next season of Game of Thrones but sad it’s not on Netflix nor coming? Let us know below!
