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, on April 9 in the US.
In the UK, after A LONG wait – we finally got Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 – from April 1, on NOW TV – but the episodes are now gone from the service.
It’s still unclear when the new Season 17 will debut in the UK, which is why the show’s fans are quite angry – but we’ll keep updating.
(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.
We’re kind of crossing our fingers that Grey’s Anatomy will come to Disney’s new Star streaming service in the UK, but there’s been no word on that yet.
So, these are currently your major options:
1. Amazon Prime Video – Seasons 1-15
Amazon’s video on demand library (see our review) offers the older seasons (1-15) of Grey’s Anatomy as part of their Amazon Prime subscription, or as a separate one-time purchase.
Unfortunately, Season 16 is still not on Amazon Prime Video, and so Season 17 is also not coming anytime soon, it appears.
Pros
- Watch for “free” as part of the Amazon Prime subscription (Up to Season 15)
- 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 16 Not available at all 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
1. NOW TV (Gone for now)
Sky’s on-demand service, 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 TV passes).
All past seasons (1-16) of Grey’s Anatomy used to be available as box-sets – however, Sky have decided to remove all past seasons of Grey’s Anatomy.
Season 16 took a long time to arrive – but it finally started airing on NOW TV on April 1. Unfortunately, the episodes are now gone from NOW TV and Sky.
It’s still unclear if – and when – the upcoming Season 17 will stream on NOW TV.