When fans were starting to get used to the weekly rhythm of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’, HBO chose to give it a shake, in a positive sense. The ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff is not waiting for the standard wait time and is coming early to streaming.
This provides Westeros loyalists with an advantage before Super Bowl Sunday takes over the cultural calendar.
HBO Is Clearing The Schedule For Westeros
The fourth episode of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ will be released on HBO Max on Friday, February 6, instead of the usual Sunday release. The episode will air on HBO at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8. The early streaming release makes it apparent that HBO is not interested in competing directly with the largest night in football. Rather, the network is allowing dragons and hedge knights to have their time first.
It is not only a matter of not being in the Super Bowl limelight, but also a matter of momentum. ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ has already become one of the biggest successes of HBO Max. As stated by FlixPatrol, the series is now the second-most-watched show on the platform globally and the most popular HBO Max show in 26 countries.
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Although the show is not the top in the U.S. (it is currently ranked second in the country, below ‘The Pitt’), it is still performing well. That is no small feat for a spinoff between ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Game of Thrones’.
HBO obviously understands the importance of keeping the audience glued instead of losing ratings in one of the most distracting TV weekends of the year. This approach is also indicative of contemporary television viewing. First releases on streaming give the fans the ability to watch at their own pace, and an early release feels like a reward.
HBO Won’t Make Fans Choose Between Football And Westeros This Weekend
The timing couldn’t be better. The third episode, called The Squire, concluded with a significant twist: the long-awaited unveiling of Egg’s real identity. The scene essentially changed the relationship between Dunk and his young friend. It is also the emotional and political stakes of the narrative.
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Season 1 has just six episodes, so each episode counts, and the audience is naturally excited to watch the fallout. Early release of episode 4 will ease the wait and keep the conversation going as interest is at its highest point.
The season finale is still set for February 22, and HBO has confirmed there are no changes planned for episodes 5 and 6. Better still, the series has already been renewed for season 2, and it is planned to release it annually.
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