Everything you need to know about streaming HBO in Indonesia

Thanks to hit shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld, HBO is widely regarded as the home of premium television, and despite having to subscribe to the channel or to a popular streaming provider, it’s easy to get access to all the HBO content your heart desires.

The oldest and longest continuously operating pay television service in the United States, Home Box Office (or HBO for short) has been consistently expanding in new markets all around the world since the early 90s. The channel’s programming mainly consists of theatrically released movies and original television series, as well as the occasional concert special, documentary, made-for-TV flick, boxing match or stand-up comedy show.

What makes the channel stand out from the crowd, besides its quality content, is the fact that HBO doesn’t carry traditional commercials. Instead, the network runs promos for upcoming shows/movies as well as behind-the-scenes featurettes made to pique interest in its original programming. As a result, HBO can afford to broadcast more explicit content that wouldn’t normally be allowed to air on broadcast television: think profanity, explicit sex scenes and graphic violence. All the good stuff.

The channel’s original programming earned countless major award nominations, including Emmys and Golden Globes. Despite The Larry Sanders Show being HBO’s flagship series in the 90s, The Sopranos is arguably the show that pushed HBO to the next level, earning both critical acclaim and a huge audience. Ever since, HBO has been known as the home of quality television. And thanks to hit shows like Game of Thrones, the channel is more relevant than ever, even in the current era of peak TV.

How to stream HBO in Indonesia

HBO GO, HBO’s streaming service in Indonesia, was launched back in May 2018. The service is available on web and mobile devices. HBO GO is free with a subscription through participating TV providers. At the time of writing, First Media and IndiHome are the only TV providers that offer HBO GO. You’ll first need to subscribe to one of their basic packages plus the HBO add-on pack to be able to access HBO GO at no additional cost.

Package	Monthly price	Channels included
First Media D’LITE + HBO	IDR398,000 + tax	83 SD + 38 HD channels, HBO full pack, HBO GO streaming service
IndiHome Netizen II + IndiMovie2	IDR385,000 + tax	82 SD + 7 HD channels, HBO full pack, HBO GO streaming service

HBO GO gives users access to over 1,500 hours of award-winning HBO Original series, movies, documentaries, comedies and HBO Asia Originals. HBO GO’s extensive library includes content that has never been seen on the HBO linear service in Asia previously. You can also always enjoy unlimited access to a wide range of Hollywood movies through 6 live channels (HBO HD, HBO Hits, HBO Family, HBO Signature, Cinemax and Red By HBO) and video-on-demand library.

Popular HBO content

Game of Thrones in undoubtedly HBO’s biggest current hit. The final season of the series is in production and will premiere in 2019, likely sometime in spring. The epic fantasy drama, based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels, has a huge fan base all across the globe and manages to remain appointment television in a time where streaming is king and watching on demand is the new black. For the night is dark and full of spoilers.

Besides Game of Thrones, HBO has produced a lot of acclaimed content over the years. Most popular titles include dramas The Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Westworld, Big Little Lies and Deadwood. Meanwhile, on the comedy front, we find titles like Veep, Girls, Silicon Valley, Sex and the City and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The list even includes Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the series that reshaped late-night TV and is scheduled to go on at least until 2020.

For 2018, HBO is making up for the fact that viewers won’t get their yearly dose of Game of Thrones with exciting new and returning originals. Here and Now, which premiered in February, follows a multicultural family as one of the children starts to have weird visions. Barry is a new sitcom centring on a hitman who is contemplating an acting career. Fahrenheit 451, based on the classic novel of the same name, is about a young fireman in a country where books are banned and firemen burn any they see on sight. Next, Sharp Objects, based on the popular book by Gillian Flynn, will arrive this winter. It stars Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson and Chris Messina.

As for returning favourites, 2018 will bring HBO fans new seasons of Silicon Valley, Westworld and Insecure. Hit shows True Detective, Veep and Big Little Lies will continue, with new seasons likely to hit the air in 2019.

Frequently asked questions

• Will HBO stream in 4K?

  HBO doesn’t support 4K resolution at the moment. However, content is available in HD.

• Can I stream HBO content with Chromecast?

  Yes, HBO GO works with Chromecast.

• Can I watch HBO GO on multiple devices?

  Yes, an authenticated/verified HBO GO subscriber can register up to a maximum of five devices and have two concurrent streams.

• Is HBO GO available for download and offline viewing?

  All HBO original and selected movie content are available for download, while other movie content from studio partners are not as the studio rights do not permit.

• Where is HBO GO available?

  In Asia, HBO GO is available in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines.