HBO DVDs are a good $10 more than any other channel, cable or network.
I don't pay for TV service, period. If it doesn't air on a channel that airs over free broadcast I don't watch it. Even shows that do air, I tend to watch the shows on DVD anyway, unless I am absolutely nuts about the show (which is Grimm).
GOT is alright. I read about halfway into the third book before I got burned out on it and I've got the first two seasons. I guess I'll pick up the next one at some point.
However, I don't own TruBlood and that one, I actually really liked. GOT is the first HBO show I actually broke down and bought, and I was somewhat disappointed in the show. If Carnival had continued, I would have bought that.