'Game of Thrones' 'Kill the Boy' Episode Sets Another Record for Illegal Downloads (VIDEO)
HBO's "Game of Thrones" episode, "Kill the Boy" set a new record for illegal downloads as 2.2 million downloads of episode five occurred online.
HBO's critically acclaimed fantasy miniseries, "Game of Thrones" hit another high in piracy record as users illegally downloaded "Kill the Boy" 2.2 million times within 12 hours after the fifth episode of season five premiered on the small screen.
Anti-piracy tracking firm Excipio revealed the new download figures on Circa after illicit sites like Pirate Bay offshoots and Kicka-- Torrents offered over 20 files of episode five available for download, with the resulting number breaking a piracy world record for the popular show.
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Despite HBO having changed its policy in providing reviewers with screener discs, torrents of the smash hit show appeared online almost immediately after episode five aired, and by 10 a.m. E.T., it surpassed its own 1.86 million illegal download record from the previous month.
Two years ago, HBO initially regarded the massive piracy of its episodes as a positive sign of the show's popularity. It has now changed its stance after the first four episodes of season five appeared online last month just hours before its April 12 air date.
Following the leak of the first four episodes, with an estimated 50,000 downloads within the first two hours, and the first episode downloaded over 32 million times in a span of a week, HBO revised its policy on piracy, sending out a warning to torrent sites, and making early viewing screeners available via streaming only.
With the launch of its standalone streaming service, HBO Now app via Apple devices and on PC for a $15 monthly subscription, the new limited release of the show and the pricier subscription fee may have spurred torrentors to work overtime in bringing pirated copies to torrent users.
