HBO, Showtime Offer Up Free Previews

NEW YORK: HBO is making the premiere episode of The Newsroom available free of charge on a range of platforms, while Showtime is offering up free access to the season two opener of Episodes.

From now through July 23, the pilot of The Newsroom is available on HBO.com, YouTube, DailyMotion, TV.com and multiple distributors’ free on-demand platforms. The opening episode of the new Aaron Sorkin drama on Sunday night delivered 2.1 million viewers.

Showtime is putting the second-season premiere of Episodes online ahead of its TV launch this weekend; the episode can be found on the Showtime website and on its iPhone, Android and Nook apps; on YouTube and on various cable operators’ free on-demand platforms. Plus, users who watch the episode on the show’s Facebook page will receive access to the premiere of the eighth and final season of Weeds, which also launches this weekend.