One of the most popular options for online streaming entertainment in the United States of America is of course HBO Go. This is a helpful solution for those who seek on demand content of the highest quality and for those who wish to enjoy great stuff online, such as Game of Thrones and True Detective, Boardwalk Empire and even HBO Boxing. There are more than one million downloads of the specific app to this date and the number continues on growing as we speak.
This is the most eloquent proof of its value and quality. Nevertheless, it is geographically restricted. If you try to access HBO Go while being overseas, you will be displayed the following message: “To access HBO GO, you must reside within the fifty states of the United States of America. If you reside in this area and are still experiencing difficulties, please contact your television provider.”
Apparently, there is justification as to why viewing of HBO Go is only permitted within American soil. However, there is the oxymoron of a person being able to view the content of his favorite service somewhere and not being able to do that, due to his altered location. For example, a US expat who has relocated to India can no longer watch Game of Thrones on HBO Go.
A student from the States cannot watch True Detective on HBO GO, while he is studying in France. US tourists cannot catch up with the latest episodes of their treasured series, while they are on a trip to England and so on. What does this restriction has to do with? And the ultimate question: “Will I be able to watch HBO Go outside US?” Let’s take it one by one!
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Why is HBO Go Blocked outside US?
“Copyright restrictions” is the case for the blocking of such a wonderful video streaming and on demand service outside US. The film industry has made it clear that they do not want to give out any free lunches and therefore internationally there are channels everywhere that pay for the rights of distributing the content of HBO Go. So, in order to claim their monetary gain and receive what they have paid for, there is the necessity for blocked services everywhere but the States. This creates the unjust phenomenon that we have outlined about the same people not having the same accessibility rights globally.
Fortunately enough, though, there are solutions that can be followed towards getting HBO Go streaming only outside US. Below, we are going to display these methods to you and broaden your horizons accordingly. From then on, it is up to you to decide which method truly does the trick for you and which one you are going to indulge in. So, without any more delay, let’s start unveiling the opportunities that you have!
Unblock HBO Go outside US Using VPN
VPN is one of the most treasured solutions for unblocking sites that are geographically restricted in your areas. It works as an intermediary and relays your traffic, so that you appear to be somewhere else in the world. For unblocking HBO Go, you need to have a US IP address and this can be achieved through the use of a remote server (coming from the VPN) that is located in the United States. Once you connect using this medium, you will see that your access will be granted and that you will be able to use HBO Go internationally. In a nutshell, the steps that are required for your access to this video-streaming service are the following:
- Subscribe to VPN (find one of the best VPN service providers)
- Install and setup, based on the instructions given by the VPN site
- Find a US based server
- Connect and access HBO Go
The biggest advantage of VPN over other options for unblocking sites is the fact that it also enables data encryption. This is critical as to the preservation of your anonymity while surfing the web. So, you can look at it as a win-win situation; you get to unblock restricted sites like HBO Go and take care of your overall protection on the web.
Unblock HBO Go Using DNS or Tor
Two other options that have been in use of getting similar results to the ones of VPN (without data encryption, though) are DNS and Tor. They both act having the same basis, which is the masking of your IP address and the redirection of Internet traffic. Getting a US IP is essential, since you cannot watch HBO Go on TV or anywhere else outside the States. With the use of DNS, here is what you ought to do:
- Subscribe to a DNS service (and benefit from their free trial, if you can)
- Make the necessary configuration to your device
- Select the US server you need for unblocking HBO Go
- Enjoy
Similarly, with the use of Tor (which is short for The Onion Router) you need to download Tor browser and enable your IP to alter. Here are the steps:
- Download Tor browser
- Set US entry and exit nodes
- Access HBO Go despite the fact that you’re outside US
DNS service providers are available at an affordable cost whereas Tor is offered for free (it is open source, free software). Apparently, there are even more methods that you can benefit from. For instance, there are free proxy servers provided online for you to make use of. If you choose this option, you will need to visit their site and copy / paste the URL of the website you seek to unblock. If you are lucky and the free web proxy is not heavily trafficked and does not have any problems operating, you will be able to succeed in your goal and watch HBO Go outside US easily, free of charge and without any real effort on your behalf.
Which is the Best Option for Me?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions and especially after our how-to guides. Well, there is no simple answer that satisfies all the needs of all the people around in the world. What we can say for sure is that you can be successful using any of these methods, to the extent that we have outlined above. Other than that, we have to express our recommendation to the use of VPN in particular. As Security Gladiators, we are devoted to thorough online protection and this can only be accomplished via data encryption of cutting-edge.
Only VPN can offer that, added to the reliability toward providing remote servers in various locations of the world. VPN service providers such as would be our number one solution.
However, it is up to you to reach your final decision and consider what values to you the most; is it the cost (or the lack of any cost), the stability, the reassurance of anonymity and the security layering? Answer this question and you will conclude as to the top solution for you. And once you do, feel free to share with us!
Top/Featured Image: By Home Box Office, Inc. / Wikipedia)