# Game of Thrones

> HBO’s fantasy series ended with a reported 19.3 million US viewers on its final night.

- Owner: HBO
- Kind: Series
- Sector: Entertainment
- Seed date: 2011-04-17
- Observed peak date: Week of Aug 22, 2017
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum. Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 55 (Notable), v1.2
- Mechanics: Response chain, Fandom mobilisation, Platform jump, Press loop, Controversy

## Summary

HBO launched Game of Thrones with a puzzle campaign and TV promotion. Fans filmed Red Wedding reactions and shared them across social platforms. Piracy and licensed tie-ins extended its circulation. The finale drew a reported 19.3 million US viewers that night.

## Timeline

- 2011-02-25 — HBO / Campfire (Open web) — HBO’s agency mailed scent boxes to bloggers to launch The Maester’s Path puzzle campaign.
- 2011-04-17 — HBO (TV) — HBO premiered the series with Winter Is Coming.
- 2011-04-19 — Deadline (Press) — Deadline reported HBO renewed the series after its debut airing drew 2.2 million viewers.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/game-of-thrones-series

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Game of Thrones.” Case HIS-01294. Spread Score v1.2: 55/100. Updated 2026-10-22. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01294