Calling all Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital fans… Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 is finally here, and UK fans are probably wondering how and where they can watch Grey’s Anatomy online or streaming on their telly, legally, WITHOUT an expensive Sky/Cable subscription.
If you need a refresher, Grey’s Anatomy is an American medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes, and starring Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey, who works with her friends, colleagues and romantic interests at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. To this day, the show is ABC’s highest-rated drama, and has seen success in the UK as well.
On Season 16, Grey’s Anatomy had to end abruptly because of the pandemic lockdown in the US, so it ended with episode 21 – earlier than usual.
As for Season 17, the show is now back from its winter hiatus in the US with new episodes.
In the UK, after a long wait that made the show’s fans quite angry – we can confirm that Season 17 finally arrived in April.
(And if you want more, don’t forget you can also watch Station 19 – which is Grey’s spinoff firefighting series).
Where Can I Watch Grey’s Anatomy In The UK – Past And Current Episodes?
In the UK, Grey’s Anatomy aired on Sky – but as Cord Cutters, we’re here to talk about your other viewing options – those not involving a full-on Sky (or Virgin, or BT) subscription.
In the US, Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 streams on Hulu, which is a US-Only service. But there are ways to watch American streaming services (including Hulu) in the UK, if you’re willing to get a bit technical.
So, in the UK, these are currently your major options:
1. Disney+ Star – Seasons 1-16
Disney’s streaming service launched “Star” this year, their adult-oriented category which is part of Disney+, and brought Grey’s Anatomy into it.
For now, only the older seasons (1-16) are available on Disney+. Season 17 will arrive sometime in the future.
For Disney+, you can get a monthly subscription, or an annual one which is a bit cheaper.
Pros
- Get Grey's Anatomy and a ton of other shows and films
- Full HD quality (1080p)
- Stream all the seasons - up to season 16
Cons
- Season 17 Not available yet
2. Amazon Prime Video – Seasons 1-16
Amazon’s video on demand library (see our review) offers the older seasons (1-16) of Grey’s Anatomy as part of their Amazon Prime subscription, or as a separate one-time purchase.
Season 17 isn’t available yet, but will probably arrive as a VOD purchase first, and not as part of Prime, shortly after the season ends.
Pros
- Watch for “free” as part of the Amazon Prime subscription (Up to Season 16)
- If you buy, you own forever – without seasons expiring on you mid-watch
- Full HD quality (1080p)
Cons
- Gets expensive if you buy multiple seasons
- Season 17 not available yet
Watch On: Amazon’s website, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Smartphones, Gaming consoles
Quick Tip: With Amazon, you can also go the old-fashioned way, and get past seasons on DVD.
3. Netflix US – Seasons 1-16
Unfortunately, Grey’s Anatomy is not available on the UK version of Netflix. However, it IS available on the American version of Netflix – all past seasons, as well as the latest Season 16.
And while it’s a bit more complicated, there are ways to watch it in the UK, if you’re willing to invest some time and money.
We have a full guide on how to watch American Netflix in the UK, but it basically means subscribing to a VPN service, and having a streaming device with that VPN’s app, if you want to watch it on your telly. (Your Netflix subscription stays the same – that is, it’s your regular UK-based Netflix subscription).
Pros
- Part of a regular Netflix subscription (but with the US content library).
- Stream all the seasons, up to Season 16
- Full HD quality (1080p)
Cons
- Must use a VPN for the US Netflix library
Watch On: Netflix’ US website, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Smartphones – But only while your VPN app is working.
4. Google Play Store – Seasons 1-16
Google’s play store offers all past seasons of Grey’s Anatomy (1-16), as a separate one-time purchase.
Pros
- Buy and own forever – without seasons expiring on you mid-watch.
- Full HD quality (1080p)
- Subtitles!
Cons
- Gets expensive if you buy multiple seasons
- Season 17 not yet available.
Watch On: Chromecast, certain models of Smart TVs, Roku, smartphones and certain other devices via the YouTube app
5. NOW (Season 17)
Sky’s on-demand service (formerly known as NOW TV), meant to compete with Netflix, offers a cheaper price over Sky’s regular TV offerings – and without a lengthy contract (see my guide on getting cheap NOW passes).
Past seasons (1-16) of Grey’s Anatomy are NOT available on NOW.
Season 17 started airing with weekly episodes on NOW (and Sky) on April 7.
