
Game of Thrones is a widely popular television series that has garnered a massive fan following across the globe. The series has also been widely pirated, especially in Australia, where it was ranked as the most-viewed illegal download in 2015. Despite the high piracy rates, the series was also legally viewed by a large audience in Australia, with a cumulative average audience of 1.2 million. With its complex characters, intricate plotlines, and global appeal, Game of Thrones has become a cultural phenomenon, sparking interest in various forms of media, including fan fiction and academic research. The show's impact has extended beyond entertainment, with even political leaders such as former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, known to be a fan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity in Australia | Ranked 39th most popular show online and 3rd most popular TV show on HBO |
| Piracy rates in Australia | High |
| Broadcasters in Australia | Foxtel, Foxtel Now, BINGE, ClearVPN, iTunes, Google Play, Fetch TV, Telstra TV |
| Average viewer numbers in Australia | 1.2 million |
| Fan base | Broad and active internationally |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Game of Thrones is one of the most popular TV shows of all time
- GOT's popularity in Australia is reflected in its high viewership numbers
- The series has a broad and active international fanbase
- GOT was widely pirated in Australia due to delayed availability and subscription costs
- GOT-themed merchandise, including language courses, is popular

Game of Thrones is one of the most popular TV shows of all time
One of the show's key strengths was its ability to attract a diverse audience. It was widely watched in both urban and rural areas, with a particularly strong following in cities. The show's impact was such that it even influenced baby-naming trends, with names like Daenerys rising in popularity.
Game of Thrones was a global phenomenon, with fans in countries like Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, India, and Hong Kong. It was also widely pirated, especially in Australia, where delays in availability and subscription costs contributed to illegal downloads. Despite this, the show still set viewership records in Australia, with a cumulative average audience of 1.2 million.
The show's impact extended beyond entertainment. It inspired academic and scientific inquiries, with researchers analyzing various aspects of the show, from character relationships to mortality rates. The show's rich world-building and cultural impact even led to the creation of new languages, with language-learning company Duolingo offering courses in High Valyrian.
Game of Thrones left an indelible mark on television, and its influence continues to be felt today. With its passionate fan base, critical acclaim, and enduring legacy, it has undoubtedly earned its place as one of the most popular TV shows of all time.
Renewing Australian Passports: Does the Number Change?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

GOT's popularity in Australia is reflected in its high viewership numbers
Game of Thrones (GOT) is a widely popular television series with a broad and active international fanbase. The show's popularity in Australia is evident from its high viewership numbers and its impact on Australian culture.
GOT has attracted a large audience in Australia, with a cumulative average audience of 1.2 million viewers across all platforms during its broadcast run. This contributes to the show's overall global success, with an average per-episode gross viewing figure of over 25 million by the sixth season and an average of 32.8 million viewers per episode across all platforms by season seven. The series finale was viewed by 19.3 million people, becoming HBO's most-watched episode.
The show's popularity in Australia is further reflected in the various platforms available for viewing. Local broadcasters such as Fox Showcase and Foxtel offered Australians access to the show. Streaming services like BINGE, a competitively priced platform, also provided an easy and affordable way for Australians to watch GOT, contributing to its high viewership numbers in the country.
In addition to legal viewing options, GOT has been widely pirated, particularly in Australia. Delays in availability by non-HBO broadcasters and the cost of subscriptions have been cited as reasons for the series' illegal distribution. Despite this, the show's popularity in Australia is undeniable, with its impact extending beyond just viewership numbers.
GOT has left a lasting impression on Australian culture, with fans engaging in fan fiction, themed burlesque routines, and even naming their children after series characters. The show's influence also extended to political leaders, with former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard known to be a fan. The passion and extreme devotion of Australian fans have undoubtedly contributed to the show's overall popularity and its lasting legacy in the country.
Australian Breastfeeding: Exploring the Country's Low Rates
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The series has a broad and active international fanbase
Game of Thrones has a broad and active international fanbase, with viewers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Morocco, India, Hong Kong, and Australia. The show's popularity in Australia is evident through the various streaming platforms that offer the series, such as Foxtel, Foxtel Now, BINGE, and ClearVPN, which enables access to HBO Max.
The show's impact in Australia is also reflected in the high rates of piracy observed in the country. Delays in availability by non-HBO broadcasters and the cost of subscriptions have been cited as reasons for the series' illegal distribution. Despite this, Game of Thrones has a dedicated Australian fanbase, with many fans expressing their interest in rewatching the series or catching up on it through legal streaming options.
The popularity of Game of Thrones in Australia is further demonstrated by the impact it has had on popular culture. For example, the name "Daenerys" from the series became a popular baby name. The series has also influenced language learning, with the language-learning company Duolingo offering courses in High Valyrian, attracting 1.2 million sign-ups between 2017 and 2020.
Game of Thrones has attracted fans from diverse backgrounds, including political leaders such as former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The show's intricate plotlines, rich detail, moral ambiguity, sexual explicitness, and epic scale have been credited for its broad appeal. The passion and extreme devotion of fans have led to various forms of engagement, including fan fiction, themed burlesque routines, and naming their children after characters.
The show's impact in Australia is also evident through its ranking as the 3rd most popular TV show on HBO and its cumulative average audience of 1.2 million across all platforms. These factors underscore the active and dedicated fanbase that Game of Thrones has cultivated in Australia and internationally.
Exploring Australia's Diverse Butterfly Species
You may want to see also
Explore related products

GOT was widely pirated in Australia due to delayed availability and subscription costs
Game of Thrones (GOT) was widely pirated in Australia, with the country having some of the highest piracy rates for the show. The reasons for this can be attributed to delayed availability and subscription costs.
In Australia, the right to distribute GOT on a weekly basis was solely owned by Foxtel, which purchased the rights from HBO. This meant that Australians had to wait for the show to be broadcast by Foxtel, or watch it through Google Play or iTunes after the season ended. However, with GOT being such a popular show, many Australians did not want to wait and turned to pirating the show to access it as soon as it aired in the US. This delay in availability by non-HBO broadcasters has been cited as a cause for the high piracy rates in Australia.
Another factor contributing to the piracy was the cost of subscriptions to Foxtel. At $50 per month, Foxtel was much more expensive compared to other streaming services like Netflix, which cost only $12 per month. As a result, many Australians felt that a subscription to Foxtel did not represent good value for money, especially if they only wanted to watch GOT.
The high piracy rates in Australia had several consequences. Firstly, it led to a loss of revenue for the creative team behind GOT, as fewer people were paying for the content. This resulted in less money being invested in future productions and innovation in the industry. Secondly, it exposed individuals who pirated the show to legal risks, as they were infringing on Foxtel's enforceable legal right to distribute GOT in Australia. While streaming or torrenting GOT was not a criminal offence in Australia, individuals who engaged in piracy could still face civil legal proceedings from the copyright owner.
To combat piracy, Foxtel continued to fight against illegal downloading and streaming of GOT under anti-piracy laws. The company sought court orders to block Australian Internet service providers from accessing sites that facilitated online piracy. However, this process was costly and largely ineffective, as mirror sites would quickly replace blocked websites.
Ancient Australian Remains: Unveiling the Past
You may want to see also
Explore related products

GOT-themed merchandise, including language courses, is popular
Game of Thrones has a broad and active international fan base, with a particularly strong following in Australia. The show has been widely pirated in the country, indicating its immense popularity. The series has also inspired a range of themed merchandise, including language courses, which have gained traction among fans.
The language-learning company Duolingo introduced a High Valyrian course in 2017, attracting 1.2 million sign-ups between 2017 and 2020. The fictional language, created by linguist David J. Peterson for the show, has proven more popular than some real-world languages on the platform, such as Irish, Polish, and Hebrew. The course's success reflects fans' enthusiasm for engaging with the intricate world-building of Game of Thrones and connecting with other devotees.
The popularity of the series has also led to high demand for merchandise. From replica swords and action figures to clothing and shot glasses, Game of Thrones-themed items have become sought-after collectibles. IKEA, for instance, capitalised on the show's fame by revealing that its rugs were used in the series for the clothing of various royal houses.
Additionally, fans have expressed their devotion through language. The Dothraki language, also constructed by Peterson, has gained a following, with fans eager to understand the dialogue spoken by characters like Daenerys Targaryen. The popularity of Game of Thrones-themed merchandise, including language courses, underscores the show's impact and the dedication of its fan base, who eagerly embrace opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of Westeros.
The show's influence has extended beyond entertainment, with academic and scientific inquiries delving into various aspects of the series. From analysing emotional sentiment in online discourse to examining mortality rates among characters, Game of Thrones has become a subject of intellectual exploration, further highlighting its cultural significance and the depth of its impact.
Domino's Pizza Sizes: How Big a Slice Down Under?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Game of Thrones is popular in Australia. It was ranked as the 39th most popular show online and 3rd most popular TV show on HBO.
Game of Thrones can be streamed on Foxtel, Foxtel Now, and BINGE. It is also available on iTunes and Google Play for purchase.
No, Game of Thrones is exclusive to HBO and is not available on Netflix Australia.
Game of Thrones has a broad, active international fan base. Its sprawling cast, drama, and multiple, interwoven storylines have been cited as reasons for its popularity. The rich detail, moral ambiguity, sexual explicitness, and epic scale of the series have also contributed to its success.
Game of Thrones is one of the most popular television shows of all time. In 2012, Vulture ranked the series's fans as the most devoted in popular culture, more so than those of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Harry Potter, or Star Wars.
![Game of Thrones (Complete Seasons 1-5) 23-Disc Box Set ( Game of Thrones - Seasons One to Five ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Australia ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51T6fKSeAkL._AC_UY218_.jpg)


































