HBO’s critically-acclaimed fantasy series was the most pirated TV show in 2024, as revealed in a new study confirming just how much it was downloaded. HBO has created many widely popular series over the years, from early hits such asThe SopranosandSex and the Cityto more recent shows includingSuccessionandBarry. Their over-the-top streaming service Max also has its own original programs, such asTokyo ViceandPeacemaker. However,the network’s series' popularity has also resulted in much of its content becoming the top shows sought after by pirates.
In 2023, HBO’sThe Last of Usbecame the most-pirated show of the year,topping the charts ahead of Disney+‘sThe Mandalorian, which held the record in 2020 and 2021. The longest-standing record holder was HBO’sGame of Thronesbefore it ended, making HBO shows a major commodity for TV show pirates. In 2024, one of their very popular fantasy series took the crown, which is perhaps unsurprising considering the fact that the network has such a long history of piracy problems.
House Of The Dragon Season 2 Was 2024’s Most-Pirated Show
Other Long-Running Streaming Shows Also Made The List
In 2024,House of the Dragonended up becoming the most-pirated TV show of the year. The fantasy series, which was co-created by Ryan Condal and original author George R. R. Martin, serves as a prequel toGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war that stretched across all of Westeros. TheHouse of the Dragonseason 2 endingsaw major events in the war about to unfold,garnering 8.5 million viewers for the finale between both HBO and Max. The series’ popularity is undeniable, even when not taking piracy into account.
House of the Dragonis an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s novelFire & Blood.
Now,TorrentFreakhas confirmed thatHouse of the Dragonseason 2 was the most-pirated TV show of 2024, based on BitTorrent download traffic. While this doesn’t represent all piracy across the Internet, it does offer an accurate gauge of the popularity of the series. The show came in aboveThe Boysseason 4, as the Prime Video superhero series took the No. 2 spot on the list. It also ranks above other HBO series including the DC Comics spinoffThe Penguinand the sci-fi prequelDune: Prophecy. Check out the full Top 10 chart below:
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What House Of The Dragon’s Piracy Popularity Means
The Series Is No Stranger To Being Pirated
The show’s high ranking isn’t surprising, sinceit was also the most-pirated series of 2022, when it first debuted. GivenGame of Thrones' own history as the most-pirated TV series for multiple years in a row,House of the Dragonkeeping the same unfortunate record every time a new season comes out isn’t all that shocking. However, it does mean HBO is on a three-year streak in first place, signifying their global success in a rather unlucky way.
House of the Dragonseason 3 has already been renewed…
Additionally, the high piracy of season 2 does not seem to have diminished its ratings. If anything, it is a reflection of how many people are also watching the franchise through regular channels as well.House of the Dragonseason 3has already been renewed and is still moving forward. It is alsonot the onlyGame of Thronesspinoff series set to hit HBOin the coming years. The seriesA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is based on George R. R. Martin’sTales of Dunk and Eggnovellas, is set to debut on HBO in 2025.
Our Take On House of the Dragon’s Piracy
It Could Eventually Hurt The Show
One troubling statistic aboutHouse of the Dragonis the fact that audiences seem to be rating season 2 slightly lower than season 1. On Rotten Tomatoes,the new season’s audience score is 73% compared to the debut season’s 83%. While this is still a firmly positive score and piracy has so far not been damaging to theGame of Thronesspinoff, it could prove to eventually erode its foundations if season 3 has less traditional viewership because of this decline.
For a better understanding of the Targaryens andtheir interconnected web of family relationships and rivalries, read theHouse of the Dragonseason 2 cast guide.
ReadScreenRant’sHouse of the Dragonseason 2 reviewfor a better sense ofhow the new season compares to season 1.
Readers can also learn more about the otherupcomingGame of Thronesspinoffs, a large roster which seems to prove thatthe big-budget fantasy franchise is so far still as viable as ever.
Read about theHouse of the Dragontimelinefor a better understanding of the decades-spanning show’s own complicated internal timeline as well ashow it relates to the overall timeline of the originalGame of Thronesseries.
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
