Game of Thrones Season 8 Ep 1 becomes biggest telecast in history of HBO with 17.4 million viewers

Game of Thrones Season 8 that premiered on April 16 largely lived up to its expectations from its first season clocking massive rating and record viewership.

The season starter had everything the fans were looking for--from emotional reunions, romantic encounters, dramatic faceoffs. nail bitting revelations and some high-voltage drama.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the HBO fantasy series was watched by 17.4 million viewers across multiple airings and including some streaming, making it the biggest telecast in the history of HBO and the most-watched scripted entertainment programme of the year.

The finale episode of Season 7 recorded 16.9 million viewers two years ago, while till now The Big Bang Theory with 14.1 million viewers on Feb. 7 held the record of highest ratings.

The revelation of Jon Snow's true parentage became a huge talking point on Twitter so much so that 5 million tweets about the show were registered and another record was made. 

Other topics that became the centre point of discussion were the reunion of Jon Snow and Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark and Bran's faceoff with Jamie who pushed him off a tower in Season 1 Episode 1 resulting in his crippled state.

Game of Thrones that premiered on April 15 (Monday) at 6:30 am on Friday will wrap up on May 20 after airing the final episode.