How to watch Chernobyl for free in the UK, US and abroad
Watch the gripping five-episode HBO miniseries that depicts the horrific events of Chernobyl nuclear disaster and its immediate aftermath
Chernobyl explores the intricate series of events that led to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster that took place on 26 April 1986, in Ukraine. The HBO and Sky Original miniseries – starring Jared Harris and Emily Watson – won nine Bafta awards last year, making it the most-awarded Bafta series of 2020.
Luckily for you, you can watch the entire series at one go on Sky Atlantic and its subsidiary streaming service Now TV Entertainment Pass (free weeklong trial for new users). Alternatively, you can also stream the show in the UK and US on popular streaming platform Hulu and HBO Now (US only). Both platforms have generous free trials for new subscribers.
Until now, you may have only heard stories or read about the biggest man-made nuclear disaster of all time, but Chernobyl goes into detail about what happened on that fateful day and its immediate ramifications – both in the Ukranian city of Pripyat and across Europe.
With an ensemble cast starring Jarred Harris, Stellan Skarsgard, Emily Watson and Paul Ritter, the series tries its best to stick to historical facts and makes you empathise for the people that lived around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine during that fateful time.
You also can’t help but question the attitude and beliefs of people in positions of power who made irrational decisions in the immediate aftermath of the nuclear explosion. Finally, it’s the timely intervention of selfless nuclear physicists who helped control the harmful radiation spreading, thereby saving millions of lives.
Apart from its stellar star-cast, what makes Chernobyl worth watching is great writing, stunning cinematography and accurate reproductions of events that took place over 33 years ago. Many of the names and first-hand accounts are taken from the Nobel-prize-winning book Voices from Chernobyl.
At present, the series one of the highest-rated TV shows of all time on IMDB, with a rating of 9.4 out of 10, tied with Breaking Bad. In comparison, The Wire has a 9.3 rating, while Game of Thrones and The Sopranos have a 9.2-rating. So it’s fair to say that the HBO miniseries is in elite company.
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How to watch Chernobyl for free in the UK: Now TV
Your best option to watch Chernobyl is to sign up for Now TV that has different packages that you can subscribe to, to access different content that’s broadcast on its parent company, Sky TV.
Its Entertainment Pass will let you rewatch Chernobyl on your PC, mobile device or gaming console, and you can even cast content to your TV if you prefer doing that. Apart from Chernobyl, the Entertainment Pass gives you access to over 300+ box sets, including The Wire, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and more.
This pass will set you back £9.99 per month until you choose to cancel your contract. It also has a seven-day free trial for new users, which means you can rewatch Chernobyl without paying a penny if you’re quick. You can use your Now TV account on any six devices and simultaneously stream content on any two.
How to watch Chernobyl for free in the UK and US: Hulu
Another great way to watch Chernobyl in the UK and US is to subscribe to the popular streaming service, Hulu. The service has a range of award-winning series, including Watchmen, Euphoria, Westworld, Lovecraft Country and more.
Hulu’s subscription plans start from $5.99/mnth but new subscribers get a generous month-long free trial, which should be more than enough time for you watch all of Chernobyl and even some other award-winning TV series without paying a penny.
How to watch Chernobyl for free in the US: HBO Now
Being an HBO production, it’s only fair that HBO is the official home for Chernobyl. You can rewatch all the episodes of the series at your convenience by signing up to HBO’s online service, HBO Now. Like Now TV, this service gives you access to a variety of movies and TV series, including Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies, Westworld, Veep and Deadwood. HBO Now has a seven-day free trial for new customers after which the service costs $14.99 per month.
How to watch Chernobyl in the UK: Sky TV
Chernobyl aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK. To rewatch the entire miniseries, you’ll need at least the basic Sky TV package, after which you can instantly download and watch the entire series. This package also includes other award-winning series such as The Sopranos, The Wire and Game of Thrones, among thousands of other episodes and a variety of channels.
Sky TV’s basic packages start from £27 per month on an 18-month contract. It includes over 40 channels and a huge range of TV shows available at any time on your TV or on Sky Go, meaning you can also watch Chernobyl on your PC or mobile devices at any time.
How to watch Chernobyl wherever you are: use a good VPN service
If you’re away from the country – on holiday, work – or whatever reason, then the only way to watch Chernobyl is using a VPN. A good VPN service will change your device’s IP address, so you can pretend you’re browsing from the UK even if you’re holidaying in Spain, for example. The first step is obviously to choose a VPN that will let you access the service. We’ve compiled a list of the best VPN services, out of which we highly recommend ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN.
Both services unlock all sorts of geo-blocked content, which means you can access Sky Go, Now TV, Hulu or HBO from wherever you are. They also let you use the service on a range of devices, including PCs, phones, tablets and even routers. Even better both services have 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you won’t be duped into paying for something that doesn’t work or meet your expectations.
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ExpressVPN is our number one rated service for streaming because it has a team dedicated to unblocking geo-restricted content to ensure that you can access everything from movies, TV series and live sporting events. It’s one of the few VPNs that have successfully completed an independent audit to prove that it doesn’t log or store any user data. Our readers get a special discount offer, so you get three months free on the 12-month plan, and you can also avail of a 30-day moneyback guarantee if you’re unhappy.
Our other recent favourite VPN for streaming content is CyberGhost VPN. You can use it on seven devices simultaneously, making it an ideal option for your friends and family. Like ExpressVPN, it also has 24/7 customer support, handy tutorials and thousands of worldwide servers to let you watch Chernobyl regardless of where you are. This service even has a generous 45-day moneyback guarantee.