My HBO GO Wont Load

Many HBO GO users are surprised to encounter the following message whenever they try to log into their account outside of the United States:

 “An internet connection is needed to access the HBO GO app please try again”.

This message is actually a wording glitch. A lack of Internet service is not the problem here. The problem is that the HBO GO app is unavailable outside of the US. Alternatively you may get the message in the image on the left “To access HBO GO, you must reside within the fifty states of the United States of America”

This is a significant issue when you consider the popularity of the HBO GO app. Over one millions downloads of popular HBO programming have been delivered to the devices of HBO subscribers, and that number continues to grow. The only downside is that you must be an HBO subscriber through a cable or satellite service to gain usage of the app.

Geared toward mobile phones and tablets

HBO GO has grown in direct proportion to the popularity of smartphones and tablets which use the Android and iOS operating system. Users can essentially take their HBO subscription everywhere they go, hence the name of the app. Everywhere except outside of the US, that is.

If you travel a lot, the only way to get value out of your HBO subscription is to use the HBO GO app. This is especially true for expats who spend months at a time working in foreign locales. Thankfully, the current technology for phones and tablets provides for VPN connections, something you will need to use of you want to unblock HBO GO. We’ll get to that shortly, but first let’s take a look at some of the exclusive programming available on the app.

Top downloads for HBO GO

Any program that is available on HBO can be accessed via the HBO GO app. HBO has long been a leader in premium television service, and today they offer some excellent original programming in addition to the movies and sports events that have always been a staple of the network. Here’s a short list of some of the most popular GO downloads.

• HBO Championship Boxing—HBO has televised some of the greatest boxing events in the sport’s history. Most recently the network provided exclusive coverage of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez battle. New matches are available almost every week.
• Original Series—Led by its critically-acclaimed Game of Thrones, HBO maintains a schedule of original programming including True Blood, Girls, and Boardwalk Empire. In addition, some of HBO’s classic series like The Sopranos can be accessed with the HBO GO app.
• Movies—One doesn’t have to wait very long for first-run movies to make their way to HBO, and these are available for streaming on the go.

An HBO subscription combined with the HBO GO app can provide enough entertainment for anyone who enjoys television and film, and when you add in the sporting events and exclusive music concerts this app is a must-have for your Android or iPhone.

Why is HBO GO blocked outside of the US?

There are a couple of reasons. First of all, you need to have an existing HBO subscription to use the app and HBO is available primarily in the US. Secondly, copyright restrictions prevent the streaming of some media in various parts of the world which are known for pirating digital content.

It is a shame that we live in a world where such restrictions have become necessary in order to safeguard the intellectual property of artists and performers. Even so, those restrictions shouldn’t be passed on the someone who has legal access to the app. In our opinion, you shouldn’t have to forfeit your HBO GO if you happen to leave the US on business or pleasure. After all, you pay for it.

Okay, how do I unblock HBO GO and use it outside the US?

Unblocking HBO GO is the simplest process you can imagine. It requires an Internet-ready device such as your smartphone or tablet and a VPN account. There are no special downloads required to use a VPN on your device.

The current generation of computers, smartphones, and tablets are all equipped with a VPN client. What you will need are the credentials and setup information supplied by the VPN provider. Entering the information and configuring your VPN only takes a minute or so and you can connect immediately. Be sure your provider offers a US server option, just like we do at VPN-accounts.com. That’s the server you will need to use to connect. Once your VPN is connected, simply log in to your HBO GO app and enjoy the entertainment.

The reason a VPN is the most effective solution for unblocking the HBO app is that your download speeds will be virtually the same as your regular internet connection. This is why proxy servers are a bad choice for unblocking any app which involves streaming media. The speed of a proxy is just too slow for effective streaming.