First 4 episodes of Game of Thrones Season 5 leaked online

Torrents sites have amassed almost 50,000 downloads within two hours

KARACHI: Game of Thrones fans are in for a treat as the first four episodes of the latest season of the highly-anticipated series have leaked online as of this morning.

The torrents on popular sites Kickass and Torrentz have amassed almost 50,000 downloads within two hours after they went online Sunday afternoon.

The first episode of the fifth season was due to air tonight in the United States, meaning that it would be available for download tomorrow morning in Pakistan.

The leaks appear to have come from a screener released under strict conditions for review or translation purposes.

Game of Thrones is the most pirated show in the world. Within 12 hours of the season four finale screening last year, roughly 1.5 million internet users downloaded it illicitly, according to internet tracking site TorrentFreak, making it the most pirated show in history.

In an effort to weaken global piracy HBO announced this year that it would simulcast the episodes around the world for season five, which critics have hailed as the most well-rounded season since the first.

Last week, Game of Thrones producer Greg Spence told the Denver Post that there were always concerns over potential leaks, especially after the unauthorised release of the season five trailer in January.

"The cast is looping all over the world, sending files back and forth," he said. "Artists are working in special-effects houses all over the world. The files are watermarked, and editors have to confirm in writing that they've deleted them."

This article originally appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald.