Game of Thrones is an American fantasy drama television series that aired on HBO from 2011 to 2019. Based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels and created for television by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the series became one of the most influential TV shows of its era.
Known for its large ensemble cast, political intrigue, high production values, and shocking story turns, Game of Thrones grew from a prestige fantasy series into a global pop culture phenomenon. It also set major audience, awards, and engagement milestones for HBO.
This reference guide compiles confirmed Game of Thrones facts and statistics, including series basics, viewership records, budget figures, and awards milestones.
Game of Thrones at a Glance
- Official HBO page: hbo.com/game-of-thrones
- Based on: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
- Creators (TV): David Benioff and D. B. Weiss
- Network: HBO
- Original run: 2011–2019
- Total seasons: 8
- Genre: Fantasy drama
Quick Answer: Why was Game of Thrones so popular?
Game of Thrones became exceptionally popular because it combined cinematic-scale production, complex long-form storytelling, high-stakes character arcs, and weekly “event TV” momentum. It also benefited from strong word-of-mouth, international distribution, and social media discussion after every major episode.
Key Game of Thrones Statistics (Quick Reference)
- Season 8 premiere audience (across HBO platforms): 17.4 million viewers
- Series finale audience (across HBO platforms): 19.3 million viewers
- Season 8 reported production budget: about $90 million total
- Average reported Season 8 cost per episode: about $15 million
- Season 8 trailer views in first 24 hours (reported): 81 million
- Primetime Emmy Awards won: 59 (record-setting for a drama series)
Game of Thrones Facts
- Website: www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones
- Debut: April 17, 2011
- Creators: D. B. Weiss and David Benioff
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama
- Seasons: 8
- Based On: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
- Premiere Date of Game of Thrones Season 8: April 14, 2019
- Finale air date: May 19, 2019
Game of Thrones Viewership Statistics
Number of Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere viewers (across HBO platforms):
Number of people that watched the Game of Thrones series finale (across HBO platforms):
Peak single-episode audience during the final season (reported before finale):
Season 8, Episode 5 (“The Bells”) with 18.4 million viewers (reported May 2019)
Reported number of times the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere was pirated:
How many people watched the Game of Thrones season 7 premiere (reported cumulative audience):
How many people watched the original Game of Thrones pilot episode (initial U.S. airing):
Game of Thrones Budget and Production Statistics
Reported budget for Game of Thrones Season 8:
Average reported amount spent per episode on Game of Thrones Season 8:
Average reported amount spent per episode on Game of Thrones Season 1:
Game of Thrones Marketing and Trailer Statistics
Number of times the Game of Thrones final season trailer was viewed in its first 24 hours:
Number of times the Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer was viewed in its first 24 hours:
Game of Thrones Awards and Recognition
Number of Primetime Emmy Awards won by Game of Thrones:
Why this matters:
Game of Thrones became one of the most awarded drama series in Emmy history, reinforcing its impact not only as a ratings success but also as a major critical and industry achievement.
Cast Salary and Economic Impact (Reported)
Average amount the five lead stars were reportedly earning per Season 8 episode:
Estimated amount that businesses would lose in productivity the day after the series finale (reported estimate):
Game of Thrones Timeline
- 2011: Series premieres on HBO (April 17)
- 2017: Season 7 debuts and draws massive global viewership
- 2019: Season 8 premieres (April 14) and series finale airs (May 19)
- 2019: The series extends its Emmy legacy and cultural footprint after finale release
Frequently Asked Questions About Game of Thrones
How many seasons of Game of Thrones are there?
There are 8 seasons of Game of Thrones.
When did Game of Thrones start and end?
The series premiered on April 17, 2011 and ended on May 19, 2019.
What was the biggest Game of Thrones finale audience?
The series finale drew a reported 19.3 million viewers across HBO platforms.
How expensive was Game of Thrones Season 8?
Season 8 was reported to cost about $90 million total, or roughly $15 million per episode.
Who created Game of Thrones?
The TV series was created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, based on the novels by George R. R. Martin.
Sources and References
- HBO – Game of Thrones official page
- CNET – Season 8 premiere audience report
- Entertainment Weekly – Series finale ratings report
- Business Insider – Season 8 budget reporting
- Entertainment Weekly – Trailer view counts
- Entertainment Weekly – Emmy milestone coverage
- GameSpot – Episode 5 audience record report
- Digital Trends – Premiere piracy estimate
- The Verge – Pilot audience context
- MarketWatch – Productivity loss estimate
