Skip to main content

Game of Thrones overtakes The Sopranos as HBO’s most popular show of all time

game of thrones sets hbo record most pop
Image used with permission by copyright holder

HBO announced this week that its intensely followed fantasy series, Game of Thrones, has edged out another one of the premium cabler’s more brutal outings, The Sopranos, to become the network’s most popular show of all time. Up until now, the record was held by the mobster drama’s peak audience of 18.2 million viewers, which the show reached in 2002. Game of Thrones‘ average season four audience has increased from 18 million to its current record high of 18.4 million viewers.

According to The Hollywood ReporterThrones‘ audience has increased by a stunning 4 million viewers since the third season’s premiere.

We recently reported that Thrones, in contrast to its incredible success in the more traditional realm of Nielsen ratings, has effectively dominated the torrenting world, too. Each Sunday night (or Monday morning, depending on where you’re located) hundreds of thousands of fans (likely without HBO subscriptions) flock to the globe’s most popular torrent tracker to illegally download the latest Thrones episode, mere moments after the official broadcast ends and it’s uploaded by whichever brave pirate gets to it first.

Just two episodes, “The Watchers on the Wall” (June 8) and “The Children” (June 15), remain in season four of the beloved series, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels. The show has been rumored to have been slated for a potential six or seven total seasons, a decision made difficult by the fact that Martin has not yet concluded writing the series of novels.

Given the final two episodes of this season have yet to air, it is likely that we will see this record broken at least once more in the coming weeks. 

Image via Screenrant

Editors' Recommendations

Alex Tretbar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex Tretbar, audio/video intern, is a writer, editor, musician, gamer and sci-fi nerd raised on EverQuest and Magic: The…
The best Game of Thrones theories
Study up for season 8 with the best Game of Thrones theories
Game of Thrones theories season 7

Few shows generate the great volume of fan speculation that Game of Thrones does, and while the show is approaching its final stretch of episodes, there's plenty of story left and many theories that could still prove true. One could fill a book with fan theories about this epic tale, but we've narrowed it down the most popular Game of Thrones theories in existence.

Spoiler alert! If you're not all caught up on the first seven seasons and the current books, read on at your own risk.
Cleganebowl: Back on schedule?

Read more
‘Game of Thrones’ will bring back the dead with a reunion special
hbo debuts full length game of thrones trailer

The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones will premiere on HBO in April 2019, but the series finale won't be the last time the hit show's cast is brought together. A Game of Thrones reunion special was filmed that involves at least a few long-gone cast members from the show's early seasons.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the special was filmed in Belfast, Ireland, in early 2018, with Conan O' Brien serving as host of the event. Season 1 actor Sean Bean, who portrayed Ned Stark, participated in the special and is the only confirmed cast member at this point -- although other actors from the show's early seasons were seen around Belfast during that time, too.

Read more
Sonos Cyber Monday deals: Save on top soundbars and speakers
Sonos Arc Dolby Atmos soundbar

If you're looking to upgrade the audio devices in your life during this year's Cyber Monday deals, we recommended you check out what's available from Sonos. As one of our favorite brands, retailers are offering a wide selection of deals on cheap portable speakers, nice soundbars and full home entertainment audio systems by Sonos. Check them out below.
Best Sonos speaker Cyber Monday deals

If you're looking for Bluetooth speaker Cyber Monday deals, you can't go wrong with Sonos, which is a mainstay in our list of the best Bluetooth speakers. We've tagged the Sonos Roam as the best portable Sonos speaker, but there are other options that also offer powerful sound, water and dust resistance, and access to smart features, including support for your favorite digital assistants. We've gathered our favorite bargains right here, but since it's unclear how much time is remaining for any of these Sonos speaker Cyber Monday deals, you should proceed with the purchase immediately if one of them catches your eye.

Read more