HBO on DISH Network

HBO has 9 channels on DISH Network. Read on for why we like HBO and how to get the best DISH promotions for HBO.

HBO BASICS

Almost everyone is familiar with the famous slogan, "It's not TV. It's HBO." Since the beginning of the "golden age of television," HBO has been running the table. Their mission was to be the thing that everyone talks about Monday morning... and HBO has succeeded spectacularly.

HBO (which stands for Home Box Office) is a subscription service, often called a premium cable channel, because it must be added to an existing cable package for $15/mo. For a lot of folks, this is a hefty price to pay for just one channel (more on that later), but given the sophisticated, challenging content that HBO offers, many customers find this to be a fair price. With buzzed about shows like Game of Thrones, True Blood, and The Sopranos (just hitting the highlights), it can be a very tempting offer, even if you're looking to limit how much you spend on cable.

So, at the end of the day... is HBO worth the expense? Or is there a satisfactory alternative?

NOTE: At the time of this writing, DISH is offering 3 months of HBO for no additional fee with subscription to any of America's Top Packages.

What Channel is HBO on DISH Network

Subscribing to HBO gives you a whole bunch of options (all available in HD).

• HBO-E (East) is on channel 300. Watch original programming and popular movies.
  
• HBO2-E (East) is on channel 301. Watch more blockbuster movies and more original shows.
  
• HBOSG (Signature) is on channel 302. Watch original HBO series and specials.
  
• HBO-W (West) is on channel 303.
  
• HBO2-W (West) is on channel 304.
  
• HBOFM (Family) is on channel 305. Watch family-friendly movies.
  
• HBOCY (Comedy) is on channel 307. Watch stand-up comedy and hilarious shows.
  
• HBOZ (Zone) is on channel 308. Watch action movies and comedies.
  
• HBOLT (Latino) is on channel 309. Watch Latino programming.

You can also enjoy HBO on Demand, HBO Go and DISH Anywhere.

WHO IS HBO GOOD FOR?

• Don't want to miss out on the buzz? It's no secret that HBO has been killing it for a while by creating shows that people talk about. The folks at HBO are aware that television, at its best, is a community everyone wants to join.
  
• A Library of Deep Cuts. For adults 18-55, HBO has been part of the landscape for a while. Their back catalog is filled with critical and audience faves; access to that library is going to be a huge selling point.
  
• Happy Face/Sad Face. HBO programs have run the full spectrum of scripted programming, from dramas that punch you in the gut to laugh out loud comedies. Free from having to answer to advertisers, the HBO development team has been only obliged to try and provide excellence in their chosen projects.

10 REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT WANT HBO ON DISH

• You want to be able to watch the latest critically acclaimed dramas like Game of Thrones and Westworld.

• Comedies like Veep and Silicon Valley are your cup of tea.

• Political comedy, like that of Bill Maher and John Oliver, is something that you find entertaining and informative.

• Seeing behind-the-scenes documentaries and interview is something you enjoy.

• Family-friendly programming is a thing you're looking for: HBO has Sesame Street!

• Insightful sports shows like Hard Knocks (NFL Training series) and Real Sports would be on your favorites list.

• Entertainment that pushes the boundaries is a plus for you.

• Are you a movie lover? HBO rotates its lineup every month and has quality original films that cannot be seen in theaters.

• You are the type of viewer who binges on shows. With HBO GO, the channel's streaming app, you can watch a whole season in one sitting.

• Taking your entertainment with you matters to you. HBO GO works on any tablet, laptop and/or smartphone.

5 REASONS YOU MIGHT NOT WANT HBO

• You prefer the free/inexpensive options offered by network and basic cable.

• You want to get the most bang for your buck. You could get Hulu Plus ($7.99/month) and Netflix ($7.99/month for SD) for a price comparable to an HBO subscription.

• HBO's shows and content just don't do it for you. Taste levels vary, and you might find that another premium channel is more to your liking.

• You do most of your watching online or via streaming. If that's the case, you should consider HBO's standalone package, HBO NOW.

• You mostly watch sports, especially football, basketball, baseball and hockey. Your money might be better spent on one of those packages.

WHICH DISH PACKAGE HAS HBO?

HBO can be added to any of the America's Top Packages through the website.

Short version: HBO is available as an add-on to all four pre-packaged bundles.

HBO GO: With any subscription to HBO, you get the streaming service, HBO GO, for free. This gives you access to everything when you're on the go! Using your laptop, tablet or smartphone, you can log in and watch from anywhere.

OTHER SIMILAR CHANNELS

If you like HBO but are looking for other channels to either substitute for or add to your experience, here are some options.

• Netflix is mentioned here because streaming is the way of the future. With their own original TV shows (like the acclaimed Stranger Things, movies, documentaries and comedy specials, Netflix shows no sign of slowing down, and it's easily available on most platforms.

• AMC/FX, the stalwarts of basic cable, have made it their mission to compete with HBO. Their programming has been edging out HBO for critical acclaim and audience popularity, so you could probably find content that fits the bill here. Both are available on all America's Top packages.

• Showtime, another premium cable offering, has also stepped up its game in recent years by putting out some edgy dramatic and comedic content. Depending on your taste, you might find Showtime more appealing. Showtime is available as an add-on at $10/mo.

BOTTOM LINE

Is an HBO subscription something you should invest in? Does the content warrant the monthly expense?

Well, if you are a new customer considering DISH, this is a no-brainer, as they are offering the promotion mentioned earlier: 3 months of HBO for no additional cost with an America's Top package. So you could weigh the pros and cons over the 3 months and see.

If you are not a new customer and consider yourself at best a casual television/movie viewer, it might not be for you, but if you are a true culture vulture who loves excellent programming, it could be worth the price of admission.