HBO’s adaptation of Naughty Dog’s popular post-apocalyptic video game, The Last of Us, has emerged as the latest prestige series and true appointment television. Since its premiere in January, the show has consistently attracted a bigger audience nearly every week, and now The Last of Us beats House of the Dragon with its viewership numbers. The Last of Us season 1 finale titled “Look for the Light,” was watched by an average of 8.2 million viewers across all HBO platforms on Sunday night, marking a new series high in viewership. This is a tick-up from episode 8’s 8.1 million viewers, which was the previous record.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Last of Us season 1’s first six installments averaged 30.4 million viewers per episode, beating House of the Dragon’s average audience of 29 million viewers per episode. The post-apocalyptic series audience has grown at a rate of 75 percent from its premiere to its finale, which is an incredible feat. This is especially impressive given that the season 1 finale went head-to-head with the Oscars on ABC. The show’s ability to maintain its high viewership numbers despite going up against major award shows is a testament to its quality and popularity.
For example, episode 4 of The Last of Us season 1 went up against the Grammy Awards on CBS and still managed to set a new record for the show with 7.5 million viewers. The Last of Us and House of the Dragon have drawn constant comparisons due to their superb quality and massive audience sizes. However, since The Last of Us premiered just short of House of the Dragon’s viewership numbers, the two shows have been neck-and-neck in terms of popularity. Now that The Last of Us has surpassed House of the Dragon in terms of viewership, it boasts the largest audience of any HBO series since Game of Thrones season 8, which averaged 44 million viewers per episode.
With HBO already renewing The Last of Us for a second season, the show has a chance to top the popularity of its predecessor, Game of Thrones, in its sophomore season. The show’s success can be attributed to its talented cast and crew, who have brought the beloved video game to life on the small screen. Additionally, the show’s complex characters and engaging storyline have kept viewers hooked and coming back for more.
In conclusion, The Last of Us has proven to be one of HBO’s most successful series, attracting millions of viewers every week and surpassing the viewership of fellow HBO drama HOTD. The show’s ability to maintain its popularity despite going up against major award shows is a testament to its quality and the talent of its cast and crew. With the second season already confirmed, fans can look forward to more exciting episodes and a chance for The Last of Us to become HBO’s most popular series ever.
What are your thoughts after knowing that The Last of Us beats House of the Dragon in viewership numbers also are you excited about the next seasons of both series? Comment down your answers.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter for more content.
Also Watch:
