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House of the Dragon episode 1 just went free - here s how to watch

By Rory Mellon published 2 September 2022 House of the Dragon has landed on YouTube (Image credit: HBO Max) This month marks a fantasy showdown for the ages between two massive TV shows: House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. And the former isn't afraid to play a little dirty, as on the same day Rings of Power premieres on Prime Video, HBO has made House of the Dragon episode 1 completely free to watch via YouTube (opens in new tab). Previously the show was only available to watch on HBO or HBO Max, but this move means you can enjoy the first hour of the epic fantasy show without needing a cable or streaming service subscription. The premier episode is a very compelling hour of television introducing the show's main players and setting the stakes for a first season that looks set to equal Game of Thrones in its prime. Unfortunately, the second episode has not been made available to watch via YouTube, and it's unlikely to appear anytime soon. HBO is almost certainly using the video sharing platform as a way to market the show and convince viewers on the fence to give it a shot, presumably hoping the quality of the first episode will persuade them to sign up for a HBO Max account. House of the Dragon episode 1 appearing on YouTube on the exact same day that the first episode of The Rings of Power hits Prime Video certainly doesn't feel like a coincidence either. This could be HBO's attempt to steal Amazon's thunder, and ensure the conversation stays centred on the bloody events in Westeros rather than the new stories being told in Middle Earth. Whatever the ultimate reason, this is great news for viewers who have yet to watch House of the Dragon. The Game of Thrones prequel has already earned strong reviews and positive fan reception just a couple of episodes into its run. So, if you're curious what all the fuss is about this is the perfect opportunity to give the show a chance. Don't be surprised if after watching the first chapter you're quickly subscribing to HBO Max to watch more. Today's best HBO Max deals (opens in new tab)HBO Max with Ads - Yearly (opens in new tab)$69.99/year (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at HBO Max - United States (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)HBO Max No Ads - Yearly (opens in new tab)$104.99/year (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at HBO Max - United States (opens in new tab)

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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Rory MellonDeals EditorRory is a Deals Editor at Tom's Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on deals, gaming and streaming. When he's not scouring retailers for PS5 restock or writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he can be found attending music festivals and being thoroughly disappointed by his terrible football team. More about streaming Ant-Man 3: Release date, cast, and latest news How to watch T20 World Cup 2022 - live stream every game online right nowLatest iOS 16 review: Apple's best iPhone software update in yearsSee more latest ► Topics Streaming See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer just revealed villainous Kang - and he's glorious2Best Android browsers in 20223The best weighted blankets in 20224HP Victus with GTX 1650 just dropped to $479 in early Black Friday deal5Best cutting boards in 2022: Tested and rated1iOS 16 review: Apple's best iPhone software update in years2Black Friday just came early as LG 48-inch OLED TV crashes to $5693iOS 16.1 is live now - here's the new features for your iPhone4Starlink internet coverage, cost, speeds and the latest news - what you need to know5Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer just revealed villainous Kang - and he's glorious