The latest episode of Game of Thrones was the most watched to date and yet, possibly was the most divisive of Season 8 thus far. While the review ratings have been dropping below the standards set this season, the amount of viewers is climbing.
According to HBO as covered by EW, Episode 5 of Season 8 titled The Bells was watched by 18.4 Million people across two airings and also streaming. This broke the record of 17.8 Million from Episode 3 The Long Night which only aired two weeks ago. Honestly it’s not that surprising that a show which has become one of the most popular TV shows of all time is receiving record viewings in its final season. HBO also say that each episode is bringing in around an average 43 Million viewers by the time DVR, repeat viewings and repeats are taken into account, that’s 10 million more than Season 7 was getting per episode.
When a show is as popular as Thrones has been, word of mouth eventually attracts viewers that had missed out on the first few seasons who play catch up. By the time you get to the end of the story, the audience has increased exponentially from where it began 10 years ago. So essentially everyone is tuning in to see what happens at the end of this journey. I do wonder if this Sunday’s finale will top even The Bells for viewing figures, good chance if you ask me.
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I have been critical of this season of Game of Thrones so far, but when I talk to what I’d call very casual fans, then they are still loving it. I think for some fans the shock factor which is happening in the show is driving them on. However, for someone like me, whilst I like the place the ending is going, I am more disappointed by the journey towards that end being a little too easy and quick. But I’ll save my analysis of all that until after this Sunday’s show has aired and we can look back at the entire show from start to finish.
Do you think there’s a good chance Game of Thrones Finale will beat The Bells and set some new records? Share your thoughts on anything Thrones related in the usual spot below.
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SOURCE: HBO (via EW)