The ratings for the Sunday night showings of the third episode of HBO’s Game of Thrones rose from 2.9 million for the second episode to 3.1 million for the combined 9 pm (ET, PT) and 11 pm showings of the third. The first episode, which was broadcast three times on Sunday April 17th, was watched by 4.2 million (see “Game of Thrones Draws 4.2 Million”), a strong enough showing that the series was renewed on April 19th. HBO has now repeated the first episode numerous times across its various platforms and currently estimates that it has been seen by 8.7 million viewers.

 

After the typical drop in ratings from a series debut, the third episode of Game of Thrones posted a solid gain in the 9pm (ET) showing, which was up from 2.2 million to 2.4 million. The fact that the 11pm showing held its own in the face of the overwhelming interest in the news stories of the death of Osama bin Laden, which broke just after the 9pm showing ended, is also encouraging. 

 

Due to the key nature of a number of Game of Thrones tie-in game and comic products and the potential of the franchise, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s popular epic fantasy series, ICv2 will continue to monitor the ratings of the initial HBO 10-episode series closely. The fifth novel in Martin’s series, A Dance With Dragons, is due out in July.