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. The season ended with episode 21 – earlier than usual, due to the US lockdown.
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. (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 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
- New Season 16 episodes available weekly
- Cheap, monthly subscription (£8.99 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 will most likely happen shortly after it finishes airing on NOW TV.
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