ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

​Game Of Thrones Finale Sets All-Time Ratings Record For HBO

​Game Of Thrones Finale Sets All-Time Ratings Record For HBO

The episode not only set a record for Game of Thrones, but for HBO's entire history

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

WARNING: CONTAINS GAME OF THRONES SPOILERS

Pretty much EVERYONE tuned in to watch the last ever episode of HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones - which has been one of the most highly-anticipated moments television has ever seen.

In fact, it drew such large numbers that its record-setting final season ended with a record-setting finale, with a whopping 13.6 million viewers for its first airing on Sunday night.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, once you've accounted for all the replays and early streams, that figure jumps up to 19.3 million. Yeeeesh.

Both of those figures are not just records for Game of Thrones, but for HBO's entire history, proving just how influential the world of Westeros has been.

A still from the finale episode.
HBO

HBO's previous record for a single airing was held by the fourth-season premiere of The Sopranos, which drew 13.43 million viewers when it went out in 2002.

The previous record for Game of Thrones, meanwhile, came from series eight's penultimate episode, which aired on 12 May. That instalment had 12.48 million viewers for its debut airing and a first-night total of 18.4 million.

I imagine the cast and crew will be celebrating heavily now that their work has done, especially showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who will no doubt be fending off a few angry comments about Daenerys' tragic demise or Bran's slightly unexpected new job title.

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have shared their plans for the finale.
PA

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Weiss said: "We'll be in an undisclosed location, turning off our phones and opening various bottles.

"At some point, if and when it's safe to come out again, somebody will give us a breakdown of what was out there without us having to actually experience it."

Beinoff added: "I plan to be very drunk and very far from the internet."

Emilia Clarke, meanwhile, has already said her goodbyes to her on-screen character, writing on Instagram ahead of the show's finale: "Finding the words to write this post has left me overwhelmed with how much I want to say but how small words feel in comparison to what this show and Dany have meant to me.

Instagram/Emilia Clarke

"The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life. This woman has taken up the whole of my heart.

"I've sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions (and names) I was given, justice.

"Game of Thrones has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being. I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we've flown.

"But to you, dear kind magical fans, I owe you so much thanks, for your steady gaze at what we've made and what I've done with a character that was already in the hearts of many before I slipped on the platinum wig of dreams. Without you there is no us.

"And now our watch has ended."

Featured Image Credit: HBO

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Game of Thrones