THE LAST OF US FIRST SEASON STEELBOOK

If you haven't seen the first season of HBO's acclaimed television show based upon the sci-fi/horror video THE LAST OF US now is a good time to consider a binge watch before the second season is released this April. Catch up on all 9 episodes plus 3 hours of special features with the limited edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook of The Last of Us: The Complete First Season available for preorder now with a March 18, 2025 scheduled delivery date from Amazon.com. 

In 2003, a parasitic fungal infection ravages the planet, turning humans into violent creatures known as the Infected. Twenty years later, hardened survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal) is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey) out of an oppressive quarantine zone in hopes of delivering her to the rebel Fireflies. But what should be a quick job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they traverse a desolate U.S. – while depending on each other’s unique skills for survival. Created, written, and executive produced by Emmy® winner Craig Mazin (HBO’s Chernobyl) and Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann, this riveting series brings a video game world to life, painting a grim vision of the future of humanity – and the lives of those who would risk everything to save it.

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THE UNDOING

Warner Bros Home Entertainment provided this dad blogger with a free Blu-ray. Opinions expressed are my own.

I've got a new mystery drama mini-series to binge watch this week. Oh do I love a good murder mystery! I've heard good reviews about the HBO limited series THE UNDOING starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant and am looking forward to seeing it now the show is available on Blu-ray. It is supposed to be a real thriller!

THE UNDOING: AN HBO LIMITED SERIES follows Grace (Kidman) and Johnathon Fraser (Grant) who are seemingly living the ideal lives they had imagined for themselves. Overnight though a chasm opens in their lives: a violent death and a chain of terrible revelations. Left behind in the wake of a spreading and very public disaster, Grace must dismantle one life to create another for her child and family.

Available from Best Buy on Blu-ray and DVD, THE UNDOING: AN HBO LIMITED SERIES includes all six episodes plus three bonus content featurettes (Nichole Kidman and Hugh Grant Introduce The Undoing / Creating the Undoing / The Undoing Revelations). Add THE UNDOING: AN HBO LIMITED SERIES to your home entertainment video library by purchasing it on Blu-ray or DVD through a Geek Daddy affiliate link and this dad blogger will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support of ageekdaddy.com is always appreciated! 

THE OUTSIDER

Warner Bros Home Entertainment provided a complimentary Blu-ray of the HBO series THE OUTSIDERS to ageekdaddy.com

I have to admit that while I've enjoyed saving money since cutting our cable television subscription there are a bunch of shows I'm missing being able to see like HBO's THE OUTSIDER. Fortunately, I've been able to catch up on some of them on Blu-ray and DVD. The complete first season of the murder crime mystery series THE OUTSIDER that this defense attorney has been wanting to watch is now available to add to your home entertainment video library. You'd think I would want to leave work at the office, but yet this lawyer enjoys watching these type of crime shows on my time off.

Based upon Stephen King's bestselling novel of the same name, THE OUTSIDER is a new drama series that follows a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy. When 11-year old Frankie Peterson's body is found mutilated in the Georgia woods, police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) sets out to investigate -- with eyewitnesses and physical evidence pointing to Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), a popular high school teacher, Little League coach, doting husband and father. While the case appears ironclad, Ralph is baffled by the emergence of contradictory evidence that places his suspect in a neighboring city at the time of the murder. The mysterious set of circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph, a seasoned cop still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo) whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable.

In addition to all 10 episodes of season one, THE OUTSIDER: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON also includes 40 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus content including the all-new featurette EL CUCO THE BABY YAGO THE OUTSIDER. In this never-before-seen featurette you can dive deep into the real world origins and supernatural abilities of the being at the center of THE OUTSIDER with insights from the show's cast and crew. This is a Stephen King-based show so you had to know it wasn't going to be just a normal crime drama!

Available now at Best Buy. If you purchase through an affiliate link in this post ageekdaddy.com will receive a small commission at no additional expense to you. This dad blogger appreciates your support!

Fun Fathers Day Gifts for the HBO Fan

 ** I partnered with HBO for this post but the following selections and opinions are my own **

Winter is coming ... in July!  HBO's Game of Thrones' seventh season begins July 16, 2017 and lots of dads like myself will be tuning in to what promises to be the most epic season yet of the popular television show.  Falling just a few weeks before the show's return, Fathers Day marks the perfect opportunity to give Games of Thrones merchandise from the HBO Shop to a dad who is eager to learn the fate of Westeros.

Every guy I know would be thrilled to possess a real life sword of Valyrian steel and rush into combat against the dreaded White Walkers and their zombie hoards.  While that obviously isn't going to happen, you can provide dad with a Long Claw (one of the mighty swords from the show) letter opener that will allow him to slice open his mail while imagining he is on a Game of Thrones battlefield.  This replica of the famed sword from the House of Mormont of Bear Island has a die-cast metal handle and stainless steel blade.

Admit it all dads roll their eyes at the though of getting the trademark Fathers Day gifts of ties, underwear and socks.  This year though you can actually put a smile on dad's face by giving him socks with the Game of Thrones Sigil Knit Box Set.  These three pairs of socks in blue, black and grey featuring the banners of the three major houses of Westros are subtle and classy enough to wear with a suit; yet are also comfortable to go with a casual look.  Game of Thrones fan can feel like a knight of Westeros as they walk about wearing a grey direwolf of House Stark, the three headed dragon of House Targaryen, or the gold lion of House Lannister.

For the active dad on the go pick out a Game of Thrones Sigel Swell Bottle to help him stay hydrated when he is out and about.  This reusable drinkware will highlight to people that he is a Game of Thrones fan as it features each of the banners for the houses of Lannister, Targaryen and Stark.

Want to give dad a home-made present for Fathers Day?  Make some Game of Thrones cookies for him that he can enjoy while watching the show.  The HBO Shop has cookie cutters so you can bake him a special treat shaped like the banners of all the major players in the Game of Thrones.

Show dad he is the king of the house by bestowing on him a replica of the crown of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros for Fathers Day.  This replica of the one from the TV series was made from a direct casting of the original screen-used prop to provide the utmost accuracy to it.  It is crafted from actual metal to provide it with heft, embedded with reproduction gemstones, and finished with a lustrous gold effect.  It comes with a specially designed iron sword motif display stand which allows you to rest the crown on the hilts of 4 swords.

Another popular show on HBO for sci-fi / fantasy fans is Westworld.  It revolves around a technologically advanced theme park staffed by lifelike robotic hosts who engage in Wild West type adventures interacting with the wealthy guests who visit.  What happens though when these robots stop following their programming and start thinking for themselves?

Pick up a Westworld logo hoodie that looks like something you'd pick up from an amusement park gift shop for the father who is a fan of the show.

Get pops a Pop! The HBO Shop has the popular Funko Pop! vinyl figures in a variety of the Westworld characters.  These are always a fun way to let dad personalize his work space on the job or decorate his desk in a home office.  Funko Pop! have really taken off as collectors items and you're seeing them displayed more and more in game rooms, theater spaces, and man caves in people's houses.

Let dad show off his caring fatherly side and his humorous bad boy side at the same time with this Oscar the Grouch shirt.  HBO is proud to be the new home of Sesame Street and has a variety of branded items available in their online store.

Speaking of shirts, every dad likes to have a comfortable, cool looking shirt to workout in.  The HBO Shop has a number of shirts that will make a guy feel like he has entered the world of one of his favorite shows.  Two of my favorites are the Pied Piper start-up shirt from the series Silicon Valley and the high school gym shirt from Vice Principals.  These cool shirts promote aspects of these comedic shows instead of the titles and main characters.  Other fans will get the meaning of wearing these shirts but it will be an inside joke that people who haven't been watching HBO won't catch on to.

Pub glasses are always a nice way to personalize a kitchen or bar.  The HBO Shop has a nice selection ranging from ones that feature the banners of the houses from Game of Thrones to others that look they were were souvenirs from a visit to the city where the show True Blood was set.  My favorite though is from the Prohibitionist era themed show Boardwalk Empire sporting a gangster motif on it.  "You can't be half a gangster!"

Check out these Fathers Day gift ideas plus numerous other selections to choose from at store.hbo.com --> Use code DAD at checkout to save 20% off purchases made before 6/8/2017 from items in the online store's Fathers Day Boutique.

Game of Thrones FUNKO Pop!

Winter is coming and so are a new batch of the popular FUNKO Pop! figures representing popular Game of Thrones® characters.  As the hit HBO® series returns for Season 7 in July three fan-favorite characters from the show are getting new figures with updated looks and three characters are making their FUNKO Pop! debuts.  

Not only has Jon Snow returned from the dead but he has returned to the FUNKO Pop! lineup ready for battle with sword in hand.  Tyrion also makes a return this time poised with a chalice of wine in hand.  Cersei has made a comeback not just on the show but also with a new look featuring her depicted donning her coronation gown and royal headpiece. 

First time additions to the FUNKO Pop! Game of Thrones collection coming out this summer include Bran Stark, Tormund Giantsbane and one of my favorites from the TV show Wun Wun. After having been missing from the show for an extended time, Bran Stark looks to be one of the key players in the Game of Thrones for Season 7.  Wielding his trusty sword is the renowned leader of the Free Folk from North of the Wall, Tormund Giantsbane.  Showing that arrows can't take him down is Wun Wun the Giant. 

Also coming this July is a new Jon Snow Pop! Keychain that Game of Thrones fan can take along with them as a lucky charm wherever they go. 

All these items will be available at the HBO Shop and a variety of retailers nationwide just in time for the start of the upcoming season of Game of Thrones.  White Walkers with a zombie army, barbarians with dragons, and feudal knights all heading towards a major battle royal are sure to make Season 7 of HBO's Game of Thrones the most explosive one yet!

Celebrate Easter with an #HBOEggHunt on the HBO Shop

While many kids will be enjoying egg hunts this weekend, HBO is having its own Easter EGGstravaganzas that adults can have some fun with too that will allow them to save money on merchandise from their favorite HBO shows! Starting Thursday, April 13th through Monday, April 17th, the HBO Shop will host an Easter Egg Hunt.

HBO fans can search for hidden discount codes that can be found throughout the product listings of six fan-favorite HBO shows: Game of Thrones, Westworld, Last Week Tonight, Silicon Valley, Veep, and True Blood. Hunt through each of these series’ product selections in search of a single item with an egg decal. Some of these eggs contains a discount code for up to 20% off your entire purchase and some will be a bust with no special code so you'll have to keep hunting through the web site.

Whether you have a friend or family member who loves HBO shows, or just want to treat yourself to a great deal, don’t miss out on the chance to score some great, discounted merchandise this holiday weekend. Here's a hint where you can find one of these golden eggs; but you may want to search for others too because there are some with more lucrative offers than this one provides which are hidden within the HBO Shop as well.

THE YOUNG POPE -- REVIEW + DIGITAL HD GIVEAWAY

While I am a big fan of science fiction and fantasy adventures sometimes it is nice to mix things up a bit and watch a show with some serious dramatic chops to it.  So with Westworld and Game of Thrones on hiatus, I've decided to spend some time watching the first season of HBO's ten episode The Young Pope TV series now that it is available on Digital HD.  It is a show filled with political and psychological intrigue as a variety of players jockey for power within the Vatican wrestling for the authority to steer the direction of the 1 billion member congregation of the Catholic Church as well as the resources and responsibilities that come with that leadership.  The Young Pope is directed and edited by Paolo Sorrentino (co-writer and director of The Great Beauty which won an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Language Film" in 2014) who creates an art filmesque backdrop for this show that is full of visually stunning settings and splendid character portrayals.  The imagery of The Young Pope combined with the acting performances of two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law and Academy Award winner Diane Keaton make this dramatic series in my opinion very much worth seeing.

In this fictional story,  a clandestine group of Cardinals arrange to get the Archbishop of New York City, Lenny Belardo (played by Jude Law), elected as the youngest and first-ever American Pope, with the aim of manipulating him as their pawn.  But as Belardo takes on the role of Pope as Pius XIII it appears that he may be the one doing the manipulating.  One of Belardo's first actions as Pope Pius XIII is to secretly command the priests who handles the Confessions of the Cardinals and other noteworthy Vatican staff to report back to him the details of each of these people's sins.  Has Belardo actually been scheming for years to rise through the Church's hierarchy?

To the surprise of the Cardinals who elected him, instead of taking a refreshing, youthful approach to directing the policies of the Church, Pius XIII announces ultra conservative, hardline initiatives that rock the Vatican status quo.  He also forsakes the guidance of the Vatican's long-time Secretary of State, Cardinal Voiello, and brings in the nun who raised him at a Catholic orphanage, Sister Mary (played by Diane Keaton), as his chief confidante and counsel.  Of course Vatican insiders begin a plot to take the Pope down trying to find dirt on him or catch him in a scandalous act to force his ouster.  As Law's character consolidates his power and executes his duties with an ironfisted authority, the story becomes a mystery about whether the young Pope is a man of conviction or one full of contradictions.

Does Pius XIII have a spiritual philosophy for leading the Church? Is a psychological disorder impacting him causing his behavior to be askew? Or is Lenny Belardo just someone who craves authority over other people to compensate for the lack of power he had when abandoned by his parents as a child?  Trying to understand this complicated character's intentions provides an intricate plot for viewers to unravel as the show progresses.

Season One of The Young Pope is now available on Digital HD.  It will be available on Blu-ray and DVD beginning June 6, 2017.  In addition to all ten episodes the Blu-ray, Digital Download, and DVD of The Young Pope -- Season One will also contain three special features including an exclusive new "The Making of The Young Pope" segment.  The Blu-ray and DVD will also include a free Digital Download.

THE YOUNG POPE -- DIGITAL HD GIVEAWAY

A Geek Daddy has a Digital HD code for The Young Pope -- Season One to giveaway.  Just complete the required entries below for a chance to win it!  Must be a U.S. resident over the age of 18 to be eligible to participate in this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use.  A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate.  Winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Must provide a valid email address to receive the prize which consist of a download code for "The Young Pope -- Season One." A Geek Daddy will email the code to the randomly selected winner. By participating in this free promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog or HBO regarding this contest or the prize.

COMET Space Man Landing Pack Giveaway

Who else has been watching WEST WORLD on HBO?!  Did you know the television show is based upon a 1973 movie of the same name written and directed by Michael Crichton, the author of numerous novels that have been adapted into movies including The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Jurassic Park, The Great Train Robbery, and Rising Sun?  There is also a sequel to that movie set two years after the tragedy portrayed in the original WEST WORLD movie.  In FUTURE WORLD, the Delos Corporation has reopened a variety of their robotic simulation theme parks, but all is not what it seems!  FUTURE WORLD is currently airing on COMET TV.  Check out one of the movies that influenced the creation of HBO's newest hit show.  COMET TV is broadcasting FUTURE WORLD:

Sunday, January 22 at 2am/1C

Wednesday, January 25 at 6/5C

Saturday, January 28 at Noon/11C

Monday, January 30 at 6/5C

COMET TV is a great source to watch sci-fi and horror movies for FREE without a paid subscription. Its content is available to view as an over-air broadcast Digital HD channel in select markets plus streamed online at CometTV.com so you can still watch its programming if not available locally.  In addition to movies, you can view classic television shows from the 1960's like JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT and more recent hits like STARGATE ATLANTIS only available on COMET TV.  To find out if this television channel is being broadcast over the air near you, visit their website and utilize the ZIP Code Locator feature.

I've really enjoyed being able to watch movies like FLASH GORDON and FUTURE WORLD as well as television shows like JOHNNY SOKKO and STARGATE ATLANTIS on COMET TV.  To share A Geek Daddy's enthusiasm for the television network we're hosting another COMET TV swag pack giveaway.  For a chance at winning the Space Man Landing Pack prize which includes a light up usb astronaut and some sweet treats (sorry the lap top is not included) you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before January 31, 2017 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate.

Follow @Geekdad248 & RT before 2/1/17 for chance to win @WatchComet prize pack including astronaut usb light & some sweet treats! #ad pic.twitter.com/8VNMGiHecN

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) January 21, 2017

While you are waiting to find out if you've won the COMET TV prize pack, you may also want to tune in to see a few of these movies airing on their sci-fi / horror channel:

Mad Max:  In a not-too-distant dystopian future, Max (Mel Gibson), an officer with the Main Force Patrol, launches a personal vendetta against the gang when his wife (Joanne Samuel) and son are hunted down and murdered.

Flash Gordon:  Flash… Ahhhh… King of the impossible! Ming Merciless has set his sights on destroying earth, and only one man can stand in his way.

Final Encounter:  Young soldiers (Dean Cain, Justin Whalin) become involved in a war that has lasted more than a century.

 A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by COMET TV and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries.  If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. COMET TV will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner. 

Catch Season 2 of HBO's Ballers on Digital HD

 **A Geek Dady received the featured product for FREE to review**

With afternoon sky's turning grey, leaves falling off the trees, and temperatures beginning to hover in the 40s & 50s here in Michigan, watching Season 2 of HBO's dramatic comedy BALLERS was a welcome escape.  The series revolves around a retired NFL player Spencer Strasmore, played by former WWE wrestler and collegiate football athlete Dwayne Johnson, who now instead of competing on the football field is hustling to become a super star financial manager in sun-soaked Miami.  Trendy people, hot cars, and cool locations provide a great backdrop to let viewers escape into the world of professional athletes living a life that many of us can only dream of in the Miami Beach community.  As you delve into this television series' episodes though it is apparent that this show is more than just eye candy to amusingly pass time watching.  Ballers is filled with laughable moments that are sure to entertain but also touches on some hard hitting realities that illustrate how the life of a professional athlete isn't always as bright and cheery as those of us who aren't insiders of the sports industry might think it to be.

In Season 1 that debuted in 2015, Strasmore reinvented himself from a star athlete to a flashy financial manager with drama and hilarity ensuing as he mentors current and former players through the daily grind of the business of football.  Dwayne Johnson's charisma that has made him one of Hollywood's current super stars shines through in his performance and is complimented by co-stars John David Washington (Denzel's son), Omar Miller, Dule Hill, and Rob Corddry.  Johnson's character fought his way to be a top player at his firm in Season 1 so what is next?  Strasmore is going to either soar even higher in his professional endeavors or he is going to come crashing to the ground.  You have to have drama in a drama, even if it is a comedic one, after all.

So in Season 2, we find Spencer Strasmore tackling the area's most powerful agent Andre Allen, played by Andy Garcia, to gain a higher profile in the world of sports management.  Of course Allen isn't going to just step aside to be second fiddle to his new competitor.  In fact, the sleazy veteran agent is now determined to ruin Strasmore to set an example that no one else should consider challenging him. Oh by the way did I mention that Allen was Strasmore's financial manager during his football playing days.  For sure there is some real tension there! Will Spencer Strasmore find glory or despair in his bid to be a dominate player in the world of the rich and famous?  You'll have to tune into Season 2 of HBO's Ballers to find out.

While this is going on Ricky Jerret (John David Washington) is struggling to make a huge decision -- which team offer will this free agent accept in what is probably his last deal as a player.  Dwayne Johnson gets a lot of credit for his charisma bolstering the show but Washington's performance as an aging player in his 30s with a big ego masking his insecurities about a fading career provides that stand out performance that makes this series a must watch show.  I also found the storyline for Charles Greane (Omar Miller) a great aspect of the show as he deals with the combined challenges of being a stay-at-home dad as well as a professional athlete who was forced to retire before he felt his career should be over.  Miller has scenes that will have you laughing and crying as his situation plays out dealing with how he copes with not being famous but still having to be an inspiration as a father instead of a pro athlete now.

I just finished watching all ten episodes and really enjoyed them. If you missed Season 2 of BALLERS when it was broadcast over the summer, you can catch up on it now.  HBO's Ballers is now available on Digital HD as of Monday, October 24, 2016.  The complete season download includes all ten Season 2 episodes, plus Inside the Episodes features at select retailers that take viewers behind the scenes of the show.  With Digital HD you can stream the show's episodes to your television, view them on a computer, or watch from a mobile device whenever is convenient for you which, as a busy professional and parent myself, I really appreciate.

For more information about the television series, please visit hbo.com/ballers

HBO Ballers: Season 2 Digital Download Giveaway

If you missed the most recent season of the HBO hit comedy series BALLERS when it was broadcast over the summer, you can catch up on Season 2 now as it will be available to own on Digital HD beginning Monday, October 24, 2016.  The complete season download includes all ten Season 2 episodes, plus Inside the Episodes features at select retailers that take viewers behind the scenes of the show.  With Digital HD you can stream the show's episodes to your television, view them on a computer, or watch from a mobile device whenever is convenient for you.
 
The series revolves around former Miami Dolphins stand-out Spencer Strasmore, played by Dwayne Johnson (AKA The Rock from the WWE) who is coping with the realities of life after football. He reinvents himself as a financial manager for professional athletes in sun-soaked Miami. Drama and hilarity ensue as Strasmore mentors other current and former players through the daily grind of the business of football.

In Season 2 of BALLERS, things are getting more competitive and complicated for Spencer. As the lines between professional and personal blur in his pursuit of lasting success and glory, he must face demons from the past when he goes head-to-head with the biggest business manager on the scene.  Heralded by critics for Johnson’s “movie-star charisma” (The Hollywood Reporter) and co-star Rob Corddry’s “hilarious” performance (TV Overmind), BALLERS is a must-see comedy for football fanatics and TV junkies alike.

Compliments of HBO, A Geek Daddy has a digital code to download all of Season 2's episodes of BALLERS to giveaway to one lucky winner.  To enter this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before October 23, 2016 @ 11:59 pm ET.

.@BallersHBO Season 2 available to own on Digital HD starting Monday October 24--RT & Follow @GeekDad248 for chance to win download code #ad pic.twitter.com/69zNvWwYQt

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) October 21, 2016

To be eligible for the giveaway entrants must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate. .Prizing is courtesy of HBO.  A Geek Daddy will email the Digital HD code to a randomly selected winner. The selected winner must provide a valid email to redeem the digital download code and redemption of the prize will be the only use of provided email. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. A Geek Daddy received a digital download of Season 2 of BALLERS for personal use as compensation for sponsoring this promotion.  A Geek Daddy is providing this giveaway contest as a benefit to our readers and social media follower.

For more information about this television series, please visit hbo.com/ballers

April 6 - 13 is officially TV BINGE WATCHING WEEK thanks to Xfinity Watchathon

**Disclaimer**  I have been provided a complimentary subscription to the Xfinity TV Go app and access to the Comcast cable programming lineup as part of the Xfinity blogger reviewer program.   Opinions expressed are my own. #Xfinityreviewer

If you are a Comcast's Xfinity television customer you may want to get a doctor's note ready or reserve some vacation time so you can skip work the week of April 6th through the 13th for its 3rd annual Watchathon. During that week Xfinity TV customers will have an all-access pass to 215 of the hottest shows from premium, cable and broadcast networks for FREE on Xfinity On Demand.  Don't have HBO and missed Game of Thrones or STARZ and haven't seen Black Sails, which are two of my favorite shows,  now you can watch the entire recent season of shows you might have otherwise missed out on because you didn't include a premium channel in your cable television package.

"Watchathon Week continues to be one of the most anticipated events of the year as the number of really great, high-quality TV series has reached an all time high," notes Andy Hunter, Vice President of Programming for Comcast. Last year, Xfinity TV customers spent nearly 50 million hours catching up on or checking out new shows they had previously missed out during the recent television season.  "Watchathon enables us to unlock the biggest and best TV content of the year for the ultimate TV binge week," Hunter added.

So if there is a show that you've been wanting to watch that isn't included in your regular cable package of channels next week's Watchathon is your time to tune in on Xfinity On Demand.  Watchathon Week programming partners include premium networks: Cinemax, ENCORE, HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ; cable networks A&E, AMC, BBC America, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, DIY Network, E!, Esquire Network, FX, FXX, HISTORY, Lifetime, MTV, National Geographic Channel, Spike, Syfy, TBS, TNT, VH1 and USA Network; and broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX, NBC and PBS.

If you need a reason to stay home next week, Xfinity has you covered with a customized excuse generator to get out of school, work or to just check out for the week.  CLICK HERE to generate your excuse so you can focus on binge watching your favorite television shows during the Xfinity Watchathon.

I don't normally have access to BBC America so I foresee a DOCTOR WHO marathon next week.  Fortunately, I don't have to worry about an excuse myself to get out of work because I've blocked off that week already to watch my kids while they're off school for Spring Break.  So what shows would you binge on during the Xfinity Watchathon?

DISCLAIMER:  I have been provided a complimentary subscription to the Xfinity TV Go app and access to the Comcast cable programming lineup to allow this blog to review the service.  This blog post is associated with my participation as an Xfinity blogger reviewer.   Opinions expressed are my own #Xfinityreviewer