Hot as Dracarys: ‘GoT’ season finale scores record ratings

Almost 9m viewers tuned in to ‘The Winds of Winter’ episode


Afp June 29, 2016
Jon Snow was proclaimed King in the North towards the end of season 6. PHOTO: FILE

NEW YORK: Hit fantasy TV show Game of Thrones pulled in nearly nine million viewers, its highest one-day audience figures ever, for the season six finale broadcast on HBO. According to reports, a total of 8.9 million people watched the 10th and final episode of the latest season, either live or on playback.

The Emmy-winning show tells the story of noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne, all the while keeping one eye on the White Walkers leading hordes of the undead toward an invasion from the North. Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the show has been distinguished by steadily rising audience figures. Just three million tuned in for the finale of season one.

Its previous audience record for live and same-day viewing was 8.1 million for the last episode of season five. Season six was the first time the show largely moved past the source material from the books.

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In an interview, the show’s creators David Benioff and DB Weiss said the end is near. “It’s two more seasons we’re talking about,” Benioff was quoted as saying. “From pretty close to the beginning, we talked about doing this in 70-75 hours, and that’s what we’ll end up with. Call it 73 for now.”

The creators said their intention was to tell one cohesive story and not overstay their welcome. “We’ve known the end for quite some time and we’re hurtling towards it,” said Benioff. “We’re definitely heading into the end game now.”

Seasons of the popular television series are aired annually. The sixth season finale saw the rise of Jon Snow, Danaerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister to power. Based on the story of seven kingdoms and the thirst for rule of the Iron Throne, the show is currently the top ranking series across the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2016.

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