MUMBAI: In an unprecedented move, Game of Thrones will premiere in over 170 countries and territories across the globe simultaneously with HBO’s US airing on 12 April.
The entire fifth season of the Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody-winning series will be simulcast to HBO branded networks and broadcast partners across the world, creating a global television event week after week throughout the season’s 10-episode run.
“We are thrilled to see our international partners jumping on board to bring Game of Thrones, one of the most universally loved television shows in the world, to global audiences at the same time it airs on HBO in the US. It’s going to be a great season,” said HBO programming president Michael Lombardo.
Indian fans too can rejoice as it is one of the 170 countries across the globe where the upcoming season of the hit series is going to premiere simultaneously with HBO’s U.S. airing on 13 April at 6 30 am IST on HBO Defined, with following episodes on subsequent Mondays at the same time. The repeat telecast of the fifth season will be on Monday’s at 10 pm on HBO Defined.
HBO India managing director Monica Tata commented “We are thrilled to bring Season 5 of Game of Thrones, one of the most iconic HBO Original TV shows, to Indian audiences at the same time as the U.S. airing,”. Tata added that it was their way of thanking the premium subscribers of HBO Defined for supporting them in making the channel a success.
Among those participating are the HBO branded networks: HBO Asia, HBO Canada, HBO Europe, HBO Latin America, HBO Netherlands and HBO Nordic.
Also included are international “Home of HBO” services including: Africa/M-Net, Australia/Foxtel, Belgium(Flemish)/Telenet, France/Orange, Iceland/365 Media, Israel/DBS, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and SKY New Zealand.
HBO licensing partners in the simulcast include: Belgium(French)/Betv, Greece/Intervision, Russia/Amedia and Spain/DTS.
Since its debut Game of Thrones has become a worldwide phenomenon and the most popular series in HBO history. Last year, the series was the most searched television show worldwide on Google and the #1 most talked about show on Facebook in the US.
Game of Thrones is based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song Of Ice and Fire, where political and sexual intrigue abound as seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. The epic series, with storylines of treachery and nobility, family and honor, ambition and love, and death and survival, has captured the imagination of fans globally and become one of the most popular shows on television.
