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.
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 – and all the episodes are now available to stream.
Here’s how to watch Season 16, as well as catch-up with past seasons. (And if you want more, don’t forget you can also watch Station 19 – which is Grey’s spinoff firefighting series).
Season 17 is already on schedule to return, on November 12, 2020 (in the US).
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.
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 got the new season.
Season 16 took a long time to arrive – but it finally started airing on NOW TV on April 1. All episodes of Season 16 are now available on NOW TV – but only until October 21 – so hurry up.
It’s still unclear if – and when – the upcoming Season 17 will stream on NOW TV.
Pros
- All Season 16 episodes available
- Cheap, monthly subscription (£9.99 a month) – Grey’s Anatomy and many other programmes.
- Available on several platforms
Cons
- Picture Quality - only gets up 720p (unless you pay more)
- Only Season 16 is 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 (1-15) of Grey’s Anatomy as part of their Amazon Prime subscription, or as a separate one-time purchase.
It’s still early to say when Season 16 will come up on Amazon Prime, but it should happen at some point in the near future.
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 1-15
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