Game of Thrones illegally downloaded 116,000 times a day as HBO show remains king of piracy

The number of pirated downloads of the series has almost doubled in a year

Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones (HBO)

Despite HBO and Sky Atlantic offering on demand services to catch up with Game of Thrones, the number of fans illegally downloading the hit HBO drama has almost doubled in a year.

The popular series, which continues to be the most pirated show in the world, was illegally downloaded more than 7 million times from February to April 2015, in comparison with 4.9 million downloads in the same period in 2014.

According to anti-piracy company Irdeto, Game of Thrones was illegally downloaded an average 116,000 times every day.

The series has been pirated almost 37,000 times during the first week of April in the US in the run up to the season five premiere, prior to HBO Now launching on 7 April.

HBO Now, which allows fans to legally stream the network’s shows without paying for a cable subscription, is only available in the US.

Brazil was the top offender for pirated downloads of the HBO show, with 935,900 incidents recorded in comparison with 464,402 in the US.

The French are the nation with the second highest number of Game of Thrones illegal downloads, with 772,721 pirated streams recorded.

India is also catching up with Game of Thrones fervour, with a 155 per cent rise in fans illegally watching the show.

An Indian version of Game of Thrones is reportedly in development by Sony Entertainment Television.

Rani Mahal will take its lead from George RR Martin’s series and will feature a host of character closely based on the TV series and books.

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