Is Game of Thrones' Finale Likely to Be the Most Viewed Episode in TV History?

The hype surrounding Game of Thrones' finale was electrifying, much like the finale of shows such as M*A*S*H and The Sopranos. However, is Game of Thrones' final episode about to shatter records and become the most viewed episode in television history?

Comparing HBO to Network Television

Game of Thrones aired on HBO, a subscription-based service. This contrasts with network television, such as the more universally accessible M*A*S*H finale. HBO reaches a narrower audience compared to traditional broadcast television, which was available in almost every household during its heyday. Despite Game of Thrones' extensive viewership, it is unlikely to surpass the monumental viewership of the M*A*S*H series finale, which reached an astounding 106 million viewers in 1983.

The Highest Viewed TV Finale: M*A*S*H vs. Game of Thrones

The 1983 series finale of M*A*S*H is often cited as the most-watched TV finale ever. At that time, Game of Thrones' season 7 finale, which had an estimated 12 million viewers, pales in comparison. To put this into perspective, if we were to compare the viewership of both finales:

Game of Thrones: 12.1 million viewers in 2017 M*A*S*H: 106 million viewers in 1983

While Game of Thrones set a record for HBO viewership, it is nearly impossible for the show to surpass the viewership of the M*A*S*H finale.

Impact of Streaming and Viewing Changes

The landscape of television viewing has significantly changed in recent years. Streaming services have made it possible for viewers to access shows on their own schedules, reducing the number of people tuning in at the same time. Many popular series finales from the modern era, like the Oprah Winfrey Show finale with 16 million viewers, cannot compete with the numbers of the 1980s and 1990s.

Bootleg Viewing and Its Impact

Another factor to consider is the impact of bootlegging. The Game of Thrones final season was pirated more than 1 billion times. If we were to add these viewers to the official viewership, it would indeed be a massive turnaround:

Combined official and unofficial viewership:

12 million official viewers 1 billion pirated viewers ≈ 1.02 billion unofficial viewers

However, this number still falls short of the M*A*S*H finale's 106 million viewers. Additionally, unofficial viewers are difficult to gauge accurately, and they are not counted in official ratings.

Conclusion

While Game of Thrones' finale was a cultural phenomenon and set a new record for HBO, it is unlikely to surpass the highest viewership record of the M*A*S*H series finale. Nevertheless, the unofficial viewership added through pirated means is a testament to the series' massive popularity and enduring impact on television history.