Game of Thrones Finale Sets Record as Most Watched HBO Episode Ever

Hate it or love it, at least you watched it. That’s likely how HBO feels after Sunday night’s Game of Thrones finale, which drew a whopping 19.3 million viewers — a record for both the show and the network.

According to CNN, the finale — “The Iron Throne” — which brought all eight seasons of the hit show to a loud close, broke the record set by the very bloody penultimate episode The Bells, which drew 18.4 million viewers.

13.6 million tuned in to watch the episode live at 9 p.m. on Sunday, per CNN, making it “the most-watched telecast in the network’s history.” That topped the previous record held by the season four premiere of The Sopranos in 2002. CNN also reported that season eight of the show is scoring huge numbers thanks to delayed viewing, with the season averaging 44.2 million viewers per episode.

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