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HBO's "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "The Pitt" Achieve Record Viewership

2/20/2026, 2:10:08 AM

Record-Breaking Viewership for HBO Series

HBO's new series "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and the second season of "The Pitt" have both achieved significant viewership milestones. "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," a spinoff of the popular "Game of Thrones," is currently averaging close to 13 million U.S. viewers per episode, positioning it to become the third biggest series debut in HBO Max's history. The series has seen consistent growth in viewership, with Episode 5 attracting 9.2 million cross-platform viewers within its first three days of release. The season finale is scheduled to air on February 22.

Similarly, "The Pitt," a medical drama set in Pittsburgh, is averaging approximately 12 million viewers per episode in its second season, which is a 50% increase compared to its freshman season. The show has also experienced week-to-week growth, with Episode 6 garnering 7 million viewers in its initial three days.

Comparative Performance Among HBO Series

In addition to these two standout series, HBO's "Industry" has also seen a rise in viewership, with its fourth season achieving a new series high of 1.1 million viewers for Episode 6. This season is outperforming all previous installments, with a 30% increase from Season 3. HBO's new late-night series "Neighbors," which premiered on February 13, has attracted 2 million viewers since its debut, indicating strong interest in HBO's diverse programming lineup.

Official Statements & Responses

HBO has highlighted the impressive ratings of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," emphasizing its potential to rank among the top series on HBO Max. The network noted that the viewership for each episode has grown week-over-week, reflecting the show's increasing popularity.

Criticism & Opposition

Despite the successes, some industry analysts have pointed out that "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" did not make it into the top 10 Nielsen rankings for streaming minutes, which may indicate challenges in viewer engagement compared to other series. This discrepancy raises questions about the metrics used to evaluate success across different platforms.

Conflicting Reports & Gaps

While HBO claims that "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is averaging 13 million viewers, Nielsen's data has not yet placed the series among the top streaming titles, suggesting a gap in measurement standards. Additionally, "The Pitt" has been reported to have 1.19 billion viewing minutes for its third episode, but the overall ranking of both shows in the Nielsen ratings remains unclear.

What's Next

As both series continue to air, the upcoming episodes will be crucial in determining their final viewership standings. The season finale of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is anticipated to draw significant attention, while "The Pitt" will continue to build on its momentum as it approaches the midpoint of its second season.

In summary, HBO's strategic programming choices are yielding impressive viewer numbers, but the varying metrics for success highlight the complexities of audience measurement in the streaming landscape.