There’s no doubt you know ‘Game of Thrones’ is America’s most popular show, whether or not you actually watch it. This week, CivicScience data showed what can only be explained as GOT’s direct impact on streaming service subscriptions.
Hulu
As you may or may not know, Hulu started offering HBO access, with explicit marketing: sign up now, watch new episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’ each Sunday.
This appears to have worked quite well. The data show that, as of Q2 2019, Hulu subscriptions are at an all-time high since CivicScience began tracking adoption of the paid service. In Q2 2019, when the new GOT season premiered, 24% of US adults are Hulu subscribers. (Data shown in the chart is from the past year.)
HBO NOW
We see the same uptick when looking at HBO NOW, which allows users to watch HBO shows live. Subscribers went from 7% of US adults to 11% of adults from the first quarter of the year to the second. (Data shown in the chart is from the past year.)
This goes to show how one series can make such a huge dent in a streaming service’s bottom line. But can we expect a drop off after the battle for the Iron Throne is decided? We think so. We’ll let you know in about three or four weeks.
