AT&T Offers Unlimited Customers Free HBO (And Here's How to Get It) | WhistleOut

AT&T Offers Unlimited Customers Free HBO (And Here's How to Get It)

By Chris Holmes

Last updated 12 January 2018

AT&T offers free HBO to all of their unlimited data customers, but they sure don’t make it easy to get started. This guide is here to help.

If you have trouble getting signed up, you’re in good company—I was so discouraged after my first couple of attempts that I didn’t try again for months.

This guide will break down the HBO offer from AT&T, and provide step-by-step instructions to getting started on it.

The Offer

The offer is pretty simple, or at least it should be. Several months ago, AT&T started offering its unlimited customers--i.e. those who signed up either for Unlimited Choice or Unlimited Plus--the ability to watch HBO online or on a mobile device via DIRECTV.

If you're unsure whether you qualify, I'd suggest contacting AT&T or DIRECTV customer service. For me, though, a phone chat with AT&T offered very little help--it was an online chat with a DIRECTV agent that finally helped me break through.

Step 1: Sign up for a free DIRECTV NOW account

Getting HBO if you're an AT&T unlimited customer isn't as simple as going on the HBO website or downloading the HBO app and simply signing up with AT&T credentials. I'd argue that it should be, but it's not.

You see, AT&T now owns DIRECTV, so customers are directed to go through DIRECTV NOW to sign up for this add-on service. This HBO thing is surely in part a tactic to get folks to buy a full-fledged DIRECTV account.

In any event, to get started, go to this page. Click on the far left icon, assuming you don't already have a TV with AT&T or a DirecTV account.

On the next screen you'll click "Go to DIRECTV NOW."

Step 2: Enter your AT&T mobile number to automatically qualify

At the point, click "Verify mobile number," and you'll be prompted to text a code to 2885.

Once you've done this, assuming you already have an unlimited wireless subscription, you'll be notified that you qualify for "the hottest offer in streaming entertainment."

Don't fret if you get an error message that reads "Oh no! It looks like that mobile number isn't eligible for our limited time offers." That happened to me a couple of times before I eventually got through.

Step 3: Sign up for a free DirecTV account

Pretty self-explanatory, but just note that you can sign up for this deal only once, with one email. I tried to do it after my first attempt months ago using a new email, and was thwarted. A nice DIRECTV agent let me know I had to use the email address I used originally.

Step 4: Choose "Package"

O.k., you're almost there! On this screen, you'll be prompted to sign up for a DirecTV package, or continue with the free account. Again, assuming you just want the free HBO, you can continue without selecting a package.

Step 5: Stream away!

Congrats! You've made it through. To stream HBO from now on, login in to your DIRECTV NOW account online, or download the DIRECTV NOW app and stream it that way. Westworld awaits!