The release of the trailer for HBO's upcoming Game of Thrones season 6 broke viewing records for the pay network. The sneak peek chalked up over 30 million views in its first day of release, beating out the previous record-holder for most views in a day for the channel, set by season 5 of the hit show.
The clip received over 8 million views on the network's YouTube channel as well as over 22 million eyeballs on the show's official Facebook page, clearing the show's prior record of 27 million views for a trailer in 24 hours, achieved last year.
Game of Thrones is HBO's biggest hit, and averaged just over 20 million views per episode last season when including real-time viewing, streaming, DVR playback and views of repeat episodes. This year looks as if it may be poised to break records, as social media buzz is at an all-time high regarding the show, which has been on lockdown in terms of releasing new episodes to the press or any information regarding plotlines for the new series. While the trailer contains some brief teasers, producers have been careful not to give much away.
HBO also recently pledged to increase the amount of original global programming it provides subscribers to its pay cable channel and its standalone HBO Now streaming platform by a healthy 50 percent in 2016. A good portion of those hours will be attributable to a new daily series courtesy of VICE Media, along with new shows targeting millennials starring Jon Stewart.
The channel has already renewed its first-year drama series Vinyl, which will join HBO's growing slate of originals, which includes hits like Game of Thrones, Girls and Veep. The network also has standing offers made available to two of its most critically-acclaimed hit comedies, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Comeback. The respective creators/stars of the duo, Larry David and Lisa Kudrow, are both welcome to begin production of new episodes of their shows when they feel creatively inspired to do so. Meanwhile, Game of Thrones season 6 is set to debut on April 24. You can view the trailer for the series below.
