With the endless leaks this season for HBO and Game of Thrones, some fans were convinced that there would be a poor showing in the viewership numbers, as a result.
Once again, they were wrong- Game of Thrones is unstoppable.
Entertainment Weekly reports that not only was this Sunday’s new GoT episode a ratings smash, but “Beyond the Wall” is the second-highest rated episode of all time for the show.
Per EW, “Beyond the Wall” picked up 10.2 million viewers during the 9 PM airing, which ties episode 4, “The Spoils of War”. The reigning champ remains “Eastwatch,” which set the new record last week with an astounding 10.7 million viewers tuning in. EW says that, “If you include repeats and streaming, ‘Beyond the Wall’ is already up to 14.2 million viewers across all platforms.”
What else is there to say? Despite having episodes leaked early, GoT continues to rack up huge numbers. If anything, the leak has just provided more PR for the network and gotten fans more excited about new episodes. While the hack is a pain in the ass for people like us (and presumably the network), it looks like it’s only helping make the show more popular than ever. With fans eagerly anticipating the season finale, we might see the record shattered once again next week.
Unfortunate that viewership dropped by half a million from last week. After the Beyond the Wall preview after Eastwatch I thought more people then ever would have tuned in. Eastwatch was too slow for a lot of people and they tuned out.
Jack Bauer 24,
LMAO….. at YOU!
There’s no ‘tuning in’ or ‘tuning out’ at this point. Anyone who is watching this show at this point isn’t picking and choosing which weeks to watch. There’s 7 episodes left – any ratings hit is just a matter of circumstance (i.e. people on vacation, etc.). The hack last week may have hurt a little bit, but this isn’t The Bachelor where people decide not to watch one week because the week before was a little “slow”.
Finale ep has comp from VMAs & SNF – that will hurt a little.
Woohoo! 😀
I wonder if ratings of episode 6 would have been much higher if not for the leak?
Jack Bauer 24,
Thank you for your wise, professional ratings & viewership diagnosis. Just because you expect something doesn’t mean it has to be and that there is a reason why it didn’t. Over ten million is fantastic whether it’s 10.2 or 10.7.
Listen, half a million of more deviation has been normal over the entire course of the series with ups and downs for no particular reason usually. Plus, that amount of drop is a smaller percentage than when it happened when the show was in the 4’s and 5’s. Half of the previous seasons have dropped between episode 8 and the penultimate episode. The number barely even increased after “Hardhome,” so a fantastic episode doesn’t always guarantee a huge jump the following week, just as a slower episode won’t guarantee a drop.
Sorry but the leak hurt the episode.
The Spoils of War leak only hyped the episode because there was no HD release.
The leak for Beyond the Wall was 1080p, enough people didn’t need to watch it again.
For sure this episode should have gotten higher ratings than Eastwatch.
I’m no professional but it’s pretty obvious that the HD leak did in fact impact the ratings.
Like D’arcy said The Spoils of War was released in LQ. It was also two days after.
Jack Bauer 24,
Wait, I thought this season was too fast and everything is being rushed; now you’re saying it is too slow?
Anyway, these ratings are fantastic! However, as has been said many times, ratings are almost irrelevant now as the show isn’t going to be cancelled. They’re nice to know, but not all that important.
All of those Nielsen rating selected homes should be ashamed that they’re also program pirates and download the episodes to watch on devices rather than tuning in to have their viewing recorded. Shame shame shame! >.>
Great, leak E7 now 😀
ALSO… When did you think “more people then ever”? You wrote before the episode aired that you predicted it would be “under 9.” Were you saving the “Eastwatch was too slow” line for this thread and decided to use it anyway even though the drop wasn’t that big? It certainly doesn’t have quite the same effect when the number still equals 2nd highest for the series…
“The reigning champ remains “Eastwatch,” ”
Rise, Dave Hill!
Incredible numbers, per usual. I’m expecting the finale to achieve another series high, possibly in excess of 11 million viewers. Looking back on previous seasons, it looks like the finale has been the most-watched episode in Live+SD viewers for four of the six seasons (the exceptions being Seasons 3 and 4, where “The Climb” and “Mockingbird” were the most-watched episodes, respectively).
Unlike the previous leak of “The Spoils of War”, I do think that last week’s leak did cause the Live+SD viewership to take a slight dip, for two reasons. One, the episode leaked five days before the official airdate instead of two, making it much harder for those who were seeking to avoid being spoiled to hold out. And two, the leaked copy of “Beyond the Wall” was a much higher-quality copy. Nothing will ever compare to watching the episode in full HD on the biggest TV possible, of course, but to each their own.
That’s exactly what I love about you, Jack. You’re ever the optimist.
Oh, come on. People here are seriously declaring that this show has jumped the shark and it is now in an inevitable decline because it got a 10.2 rating as opposed to a 10.7- ON FREAKING HBO?! This is ridiculous. Seriously, stop it. Arguments over the show’s creative direction are valid (I’ve certainly made my feelings known), but this stuff is the kind of thing that gives the fanbase a bad name.
Yep, yep, yep. Though it’s impossible to know the whys, I find it fun to guess. I would add a third possible explanation, that Spoils of War was liked a wee bit better than Beyond the Wall and so received a hype bump from the leaks that the already highly anticipated penultimate episode did not.
This may be out in left field, but a lot of people were traveling to eclipse viewing locations on Sunday and weren’t in their usual GoT watching spaces. Anecdotally, most of my friends didn’t watch on Sunday because they were en route to Idaho or Wyoming, camping out in tents, sans internet access or a TV. So that’s just another factor, in certain parts of the US, that may have caused this slight drop in viewership.
Held up quite steadily considering, think we are above 10 million for all episodes (except maybe E2?)
Reckon the season average should hold up above 10 million at least which is nothing short of astonishing
Here’s hoping for a big jump to above 11 million next week!
Love the flaming Wight bear pic used by the way
While it’s getting increasingly trickier to ignore the plothold and teleportation issues
Despite not being as immersive as the books, the show is not going to “decline” quite simply because the acting quality is still holding up and the special effects are fantastic which will keep people highly engaged
Fierce as a Wolverine,
Interesting point. The total eclipse in the US was a big deal and I saw news coverage of farm fields filled with campers to watch it happen. People traveled of hours away from their homes to get to a location to see it happen. I think I would opt for a once in a life time total eclipse over an episode of GOT I could watch on replay. I can imagine the audience for both share a lot of the same people. You may be onto something with your idea.
Wonderful, awesome ratings!
No.
What is actually unfortunate is your constant negativity. But far more unfortunate than that is the fact that we, who come to this site, have to put up with your continuous negativity and incessant questions. There is sadly, no way to filter those out.
Half of those views were D&D themselves, who finally got their zombie polar bear. 😂👍
Fierce as a Wolverine,
The eclipse festivities are why I didn’t watch live for the only time this season.
The most watched episodes on HBO are the two leaked episodes. Hmmm.. . Maybe is marketing strategy , knowing that everyone will go crazy of watching the dragons in action, and they will speak and hype the others to watch …
Or maybe i’m juste too much sceptical.
Eastwatch is the most watched episodeand it was not leaked.
Lady B,
They should just leak S8 sripts to break every record lol
Jack Bauer 24,
Ok then, definitivly i’m just too much sceptical 😉 and wrong .
I just presented him with the cold FACTS (the word, he doesn’t know the essence of) in another article, but of course he skipped right by it 😉 He’ll never quit oozing ridiculous statements left and right and to top that off, he has learned the art of zig-zagging – no longer responding to any comments proving his incoherent ramblings wrong time after time!
Season 7 script was leaked since when? And how that influenced the views in this season? Are the viewers more or less then the other season? it’s just innocent question , i’m not making a point …
Sad indeed! And now WotW is losing long-time readers due to all the negative nitpicking… Just an hour ago there was a well-written and enjoyably coherent goodbye comments from a long-time reader in another thread.
Dead Dane Walking,
His comment on another thread criticizing the scene where Arya was talking about practicing archery and saying thats not how it was shown in the very first episode made me realize he is completely lost.
Lady B,
In September. This is by far the most popular season
With the picture of the zombie polar bear in the article, I’d like to give a special shout-out to a really nice detail in Beyond The Wall, that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere:
The Mormont Bear physically killing a bear… This happening right after he symbolically killed the bear within himself, as he forever forfeits the right to bear (no pun 😉 ) Longclaw by giving it to Jon and his future bloodline.
Ser Broccoli McBroccoliface,
HAHAAA…didn’t see that comment. That’s completely bonkers!! 😀
Right after E6 aired on Sunday, he also presented a question about why the WW spear/sword didn’t “freeze” when fighting Jon, like it – according to him – did in front of the house at Hardhome 😀 …it’s like he really IS watching a different show with less than 9 million viewers apparently!
So somehow it’s not so naive to think that possibly the leaks can have something with the popularity, is it? they can use for gain even more, as everyone speaks on social media, that can seduise more viewer? I don’t say i’m right, i’m wrong , just there is no need to be so cynical as you were with your previous reponse… Because we can find some logic in my opinion too, no?
Dead Dane Walking,
“Goodbye cruel thread” posts are ridiculous. They always come back. Anyone who’s truly done with it just drops off.
Ignore anyone who annoys you. There’s always at least one in every thread on the internet.
The ratings matter because they’ll drive how big they’ll make the subsequent series which could be more awesome than GoT. I used to be a TV media buyer, so those numbers can be interesting.
I agree with criticism about the pacing. They could have wrapped it up in 10 episodes this season. I’m tired of Cersei and Littlefinger droning on. It’s been 7 years of Cersei’s drunken rambling, and Littlefinger pretending to sound like he’s lived for centuries and knows everything. Shut up already. And the rest of them sound like a soap opera. The chatter was always how they paid for the big-budget episodes. I hope Ep7 is worth it. The outsized CG battles are getting old too.
Maybe I’m just upset about Viserion. Also, I’m not young. I hope I live to see this thing through. HBO is going to drag this out forever. Watch them delay until 2019. F***ers….
Dead Dane Walking,
Who wrote it?
I don’t plan on leaving the site but I must say I’m really dissatisfied with the site this year. I enjoy the episodes more than ever but I dread to participate in any discussions because I know it will end with me being frustrated with all the negativity. I’m still of an opinion that last year was different, because I really enjoyed the site.
Its multiple reasons..ep4 got leaked in LQ and the ep was incredibly epic with barely much to criticize so people wanted to watch it in HD. There is also the fact that a lot of casual viewers simply want to see dragons. There was a hype after ep4 leaked due to all the dragon actions so even those that are casual viewers tuned in. I know people who saw only few episodes a season tune in and watch that one because of all the hype about the dragons. The ratings went up for ep 5 because the preview in ep 4 for ep 5 had dragons in it too (Drogon sitting on the hill and landing in front of Jon) so people thought they will get to see more dragon actions and more tuned up for it. Ep 6’s preview had no mention of dragons so those that wanted to see them, didnt bother with it. It also got leaked in HD quality so some people watched it before it aired.
What’s with the weird obsession over ratings? It’s clearly a popular show and I’m guessing most of you don’t work for HBO. I’m curious
I don’t think nearly as many people actually watch the leaked episodes as some on this site seem to believe. I have several co-workers who watch and love the show but had no idea this episode had leaked. I did know and read some of the spoilers but didn’t watch it until it aired on TV.
The leak seems like a big deal to people on this site because we are aware of every detail regarding the show. But the casual viewers who make up the vast majority simply don’t pay that close attention and just watch the show on Sunday night as usual. And LOL at people trying to spin the second highest rated episode as a NEGATIVE!
‘Weird obsession’?? Higher ratings means more money and bigger budget and better chance for possible spinoff shows. Do you really not understand the connection??
Jimmmmy,
Some people find concrete data and statistics interesting. It’s not really my thing, but I don’t judge other people’s interests. Plenty of other posts to read if it’s not your cup of tea. 🙂
HBO to Affiliate: Now make sure you don’t “accidentally” leak this episode. (Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink, Say no More!)
Lord Parramandas,
The offseasons are always the best anyway,which is why some people prefer it to the actual discussions when the season is airing,the usual suspects aka whiners are very few inbetween . Anyway if there is one thing that i’m glad with the show is ending is that i will finally be done with what was once a great community turned into a toxic and bitter one,i won’t be back for the spin off if they ever make it,i will just watch it as a casual fan and that’s it . I wonder what will the whiners whine about when the show is ending because you just know the books are never going to get finished,maybe air ?
Okay and thanks for making these two remarks 🙂 I’ve noticed some doesn’t leave completely, but it’s still sad to hear when the “good ones” go first…
I assume the rest of your comment wasn’t directed at me, and if it was, I have no idea why?
Jade Joon and later a similar post came from Mr. Derp, but after a little “chat” it sounds like they’ll just step back from the worst comment-flak and take a breather.
Isabelle_M,
Whether they come back or not you can’t deny that the atmosphere of the community isn’t what it used to be,some people may say it’s because of the show but i’ve been a part of this community since season 1 and it’s not like we hadn’t had meh or controversial episodes (Sansa Rape Gate) before but what happened this past week has been unrecognisable,it’s like it turned into an anti-fansite,almost as bad as westeros.org,i don’t mind criticism,i had my own problems with the past episode but Jesus Christ,talk about overreaction and not only from this site but the media as well,i honestly felt the first time ashamed to be a GOT/ASOIAF fan,just a very awful and depressing week,hopefully the finale delivers and it gets better .
Lord Parramandas,
I know we talked about this recently, and I pretty much feel the same way as yourself.
Even though I rate this season extremely entertaining, WotW has been quite a lot more stressful (in lack of a better word), than previously. With that said, I have personally also been a lot more active than previously and spent way more time on WotW this year.
I’ve enjoyed commenting, which – as you know – was new for me this year. So much fun to try to interact more and get to know fans better, but that also means getting involved on a different level, where the “Nits” are noticed more and gets more under your skin. I didn’t have that feeling as just a reader in previous years. If that’s due to getting involved or more public hype, I don’t know.
I’m totally hyped to see what they have in store for us all in the great 80-minute season finale and then I too must admit: I am looking a bit forward to the long night awaiting us from next week. Off seasons tend to be troll-free and go by in a more calm and collected manner 🙂
(And now I really, REALLY need to hit the sack)
Kris Logan,
This fandom was never a great community. In the first few seasons it was even worse because the books were there
Kris Logan,
I think you really forgot how toxic this fandom was during S4 and S5. This is nothing compared to that
But Harry Potter fandom is worse than this. And Star Wars fandom as well .
I think this is the fandom with more people preferring the adaptation than any other.
I understand and accept that there are ‘season only’ posters, and as time goes on, more new people. I tend to also accept criticism and try not to respond unless it’s absurd. My problem is when I see a pattern from specific users that trends toward the negative all the time and/or hashes on the same point repeatedly. That’s when I will step in with my thoughts. Some people “get it” and tone it down when others do that. Some people don’t, and that’s infuriating to actual fans of the show.
In the past I haven’t been blameless. I did often criticize Sophie with “glancing blows.” I did try to minimize the amount of times I brought it up and when I did I tried to do it in a manner as nice as possible. Still, I did it on more than a few occasions and I’m sure it did appear like I was a Sansa hater. Lord Parramandas called me out on it a while back as something that bothered him. My rebuttal was to clarify that my issues were with the actress not the character, but even so, I admit it had a bleed-over effect I’m sure. Since then I’ve made a conscious effort to cut out that negative talk completely. 🙂 The surprising thing is, Sophie is now having an excellent season in my opinion. I mean really good actually! And like my criticism, it’s not about the character’s words or actions but her performance. I’ve made sure to comment on that several times so far to make up for my criticism in the past!
Jack Bauer 24,
LOOOOOOOOL
Dee Stark,
At least he’s making us LOL! 😀 So glad this show continues to be a BIG hit. I’m pretty sure the ratings would have been much higher without the leak. Let’s all pray e7 won’t be leaked.
LOL is the sky blue on the planet you live on?
To all you guys who posted a reply to JB-24 to his first question –
Unfortunate that viewership dropped by half a million from last week. After the Beyond the Wall preview after Eastwatch I thought more people then ever would have tuned in. Eastwatch was too slow for a lot of people and they tuned out.
Have you noticed that he never replied to any of your comments directly or backed up that statement? He will only reply to comments when posters agree with him which understandably are not so many. If nothing is forthcoming, his next post will fly off on a different tangent… Enough said – I rest my case 😛
Ryan,
there was no ‘hack’. HBO broadcast the episode early by mistake.
Sam,
hahaha
I really hope the finale doesn’t leak.
The Doctor Who fandom is the absolute worst right now: the knuckle-draggers are furious about Jodie Whittaker. Tolkien fandom and Star Trek fandoms are just as bad as SoI&F, HP & SW fandoms.
Really, this summarizes all fandoms pretty well….
heh, for some of us, data & statistics are sort of like heroin is to a junkie! Must… have… more……..
Lord of Coffee,
HBO is well aware of their cash cow. slight variations in ratings won’t effect the budget
Sue the Fury,
I was just curious. NOt judging
Lol, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m very snappy now myself because I feel like HBO is just f***ing with us.
Isabelle_M,
As of right now, HBO should name their subscription for what it really is: PREscription! 😱😁