MEDIA RELEASE: TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016
GAMES OF THRONES SMASHES RECORDS! SEASON 6 PREMIERE THE MOST WATCHED PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION HISTORY
The premiere episode of Games of Thrones season 6, which aired on Foxtel’s showcase channel on Monday, April 25 has broken Australian Subscription Television records, making it the most watched program in Australian Subscription Television history.
Episode 1 achieved a total audience of 727,000, 31% larger than season 5, claiming the biggest single day audience in Australian Subscription Television history – and topping the record previously held by the FOX SPORTS with the 2011 Rugby World Cup Semi Final between Australia and New Zealand (16 October 2011: 719,000 overnight audience).
“This is an absolutely incredible result and beyond our expectations. It doesn’t yet include all of the catch-up viewing from the Foxtel iQ, which will count when we calculate the cumulative audience for the week. When you include those figures, as well as encores across the week, we’re forecasting the first episode will absolutely top over 1 million viewers, a phenomenal result by any measure!” said Foxtel’s Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh.
Game of Thrones season 6 screens Mondays at 11am AEST (same time as the US) with a primetime encore at 7.30pm AEST, only on showcase.
Foxtel has also announced a discounted subscription to Foxtel Play for new customers who sign up between April 18 and April 29, offering access to all of the intrigue from Game of Thrones season 6, as well as Anytime (on-demand) access to seasons 1-5, for only $30 a month for the first three months.
-Brad