‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 finale scores record ratings

NEW YORK, USA – Hit fantasy TV show Game of Thrones pulled in nearly nine million viewers Sunday, its highest one-day audience figures ever, for the season 6 finale broadcast on HBO. (READ: ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 finale recap: Shocking revelations galore)

Nielsen said 8.9 million people watched the 10th and final episode of the latest season, either live or on playback on Sunday. (READ: ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 finale addresses long-standing Jon Snow theory)

The Emmy-winning show tells the story of noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne, all the while keeping one eye on the White Walkers leading hordes of the undead wights toward an invasion from the North. (READ: ‘Game of Thrones’ star Natalie Dormer on season 6 finale shocker)

Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the show has been distinguished by steadily rising audience figures. Just three million tuned in for the finale of season one.

Its previous audience record for live and same-day viewing was 8.1 million for the last episode of season five.

Season 6 was the first time the show largely moved past the source material from the books.

In an interview with Deadline Hollywood, the entertainment industry website, the show’s creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss said the end is near.

“It’s two more seasons we’re talking about,” Benioff was quoted as saying on Monday. “From pretty close to the beginning, we talked about doing this in 70-75 hours, and that’s what we’ll end up with. Call it 73 for now.”

The creators said their intention was to tell one cohesive story and not overstay their welcome. 

“We’ve known the end for quite some time and we’re hurtling towards it,” said Benioff. “We’re definitely heading into the end game now. – Rappler.com

Can’t wait for season 7? In the meantime, take a look back with some highlights from Rappler’s coverage of season 6:

• ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 finale recap: Shocking revelations galore
• ‘Game of Thrones’ star Natalie Dormer on season 6 finale shocker
• ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 finale addresses long-standing Jon Snow theory
• [IN PHOTOS] ‘Battle of the Bastards’: Epic Jon Snow, Ramsay Bolton showdown on ‘Game of Thrones’
• WATCH: Isaac Hempstead Wright talks Bran Stark’s return, ‘GoT’ deaths
• WATCH: ‘GoT’ star Isaac Hempstead Wright shares dream Bran Stark love team, favorite character, and more
• ‘Game of Thrones’ star Kristian Nairn: 18 fun facts about the Hodor actor
• ‘Hold the door’: ‘Game of Thrones’ star Kristian Nairn on the latest shocker
• Kit Harington speaks up about Jon Snow’s fate
• Recap: Huge ‘Game of Thrones’ shocker revealed in season 6, episode 2
• ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 premiere recap: ‘The Red Woman’
• 24 new photos: Scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6