The watch has ended with a massive watch.
After eight seasons, three dragons, and an infinite body count, Game of Thrones came to an end on Sunday night.
As fans prepared to bid farewell to the characters they had courted for almost a decade, it is likely that curious non-watchers decided to tune in, too.
The result was a mammoth 19.3 million viewers.
The figure set a definite record, becoming the biggest single telecast in HBO history, assuming the crown from the 4th season premiere of The Sopranos in 2002, which drew 13.4 million.
The final season of GOT has been one of records (despite poor approval ratings) — the premiere garnered 17.4 million viewers, while the penultimate episode, “The Bells,” received 18.4 million. Both were record highs for HBO at the time.
However, despite the improved viewership, the season averaged a lukewarm 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the lowest-rated in the history of the show, while the finale itself only scored 56%.
Either way, it is the end of an era.
