Calling all Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital fans… Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 is 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.
With Season 15, Grey’s Anatomy broke the record as being the longest-running prime-time drama on ABC, and has already been renewed for two seasons (16 and 17).
Season 16 debuted in the US on September 26, 2019, and went on the winter break on November 21. New episodes started with Episode 10 on January 23, 2020.
In the UK, after A LONG wait – we’re FINALLY getting Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 – from April 1, on NOW TV – and it’s even TWO episodes every week.
Here’s how to watch Season 16, as well as catch-up with past seasons. (If you’re a fan of medical dramas, you might also want to check out The Good Doctor).
Where Can I Watch Grey’s Anatomy In The UK – Past And Current Episodes?
In the UK, Grey’s Anatomy will air 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.
These are your major options:
1. NOW TV – Season 16
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 (1-15) of Grey’s Anatomy used to be available as box-sets on NOW TV’s Entertainment Pass – however, Sky have decided to remove all past seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, but at least we’re getting the new season.
Season 16 took a long time to arrive – but it finally started airing on NOW TV on April 1. And, to catch-up with the long delay, TWO episodes will air every week, until April 29. (The episodes go up at around 9:45pm and 10:45pm every Wednesday, after they air on Sky).
Pros
- Season 16 coming April 1
- Cheap, monthly subscription (£8.99 a month) – Might have Grey’s Anatomy next season and many other programmes.
- Available on several platforms
Cons
- Picture Quality - only gets up 720p (unless you pay more)
- Only Season 16 will be available
Watch On: NOW TV Box (get it here), Chromecast, Apple TV, Gaming consoles, Certain models of Smart TVs (No Amazon Fire TV).
2. Amazon Prime Video – Seasons 1-15
Amazon’s video on demand library (see our review) offers the older seasons (1-14) of Grey’s Anatomy as part of their Amazon Prime subscription, or as a separate one-time purchase.
Pros
- Watch for “free” as part of the Amazon Prime subscription (Up to Season 14)
- Season 15 available as one-time purchase
- 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 15 not part of Prime subscription yet
- 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 1-15
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 Season 15.
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 past seasons, up to Season 15
- Full HD quality (1080p)
Cons
- Must use a VPN for the US Netflix library
- Season 16 should be coming later in the year
Watch On: Netflix’ US website, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Smartphones – But only while your VPN app is working.
4. Google Play Store – Seasons 1-15
Google’s play store offers all past seasons of Grey’s Anatomy (1-15), 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 16 not yet available.
Watch On: Chromecast, certain models of Smart TVs, Roku, smartphones and certain other devices via the YouTube app
