How to watch Game of Thrones season 8 in the US and UK - TV channel and streaming details
It’s been two years since Jon Snow trended on Twitter, but at last, the Long Night is over, and now Aegon Targaryen is trending again. Game of Thrones returned to HBO and Sky Atlantic with its eighth and final season earlier this week.
While it may bring a tear to your eye that Game of Thrones is almost over, at least your Mondays will now be filled with some fire-breathing, white-walker fighting excitement for the next two months.
With schedules already cleared for your Monday nights and dinner parties planned, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s most anticipated cultural event.
What time does Game of Thrones air in the US?
Fans in America can watch each Game of Thrones episode on HBO at 9pm Eastern time on Sunday nights.
So when can I watch it in the UK?
At the rather uncivilised hour of 2am every Monday morning, Sky Atlantic will simulcast each episode – yes, it's not very ideal if you're starting work three hours after and your mind is just bubbling with questions and anticipation for the next episode.
It being Sunday, you might have been better off going to bed at a normal time, staying well clear of Twitter (and any mad friends who, armed with Pro Plus and RedBull, barely slept a wink), and waiting for Monday evening, when the episode runs again at 9pm on Sky and Now TV.
While it may be hard to resist the temptation of being the first to watch it at 2am, at least for the next few weeks you'll actually have some motivation to get out of bed on a Monday morning. Just think... you can enjoy watching Jon Snow on your TV screens, glass of wine in hand, every Monday (here's praying he survives the Night King every episode!)
How can I watch in the UK?
On Sky Atlantic and NOW TV. So if you haven't already got one of these TV packages, it's time to sign up (or invite yourself round to a friend's for dinner. Whether they actually watch the series is irrelevant, just come armed with a good bottle of red).
To freshen up your memory in the interim for episode two, or re-live your favourite scene (in which your favourite characters haven't yet been gruesomely butchered), you can watch every episode from season one to season seven on NOW TV with a 7 day free Entertainment Pass trial.
Or, simply read a review of each episode, from Winter Is Coming to Season eight's Winterfell.
How many episodes are there to watch?
For fans who seethed with anger at the last series' measly seven episodes (down from the customary 10), series eight delivers yet another blow. The shortest series yet, there will be only six episodes.
What is each episode length?
On the plus side, each episode will be up to 80 minutes long, with HBO CEO Richard Plepler saying every episode feels cinematic.
The first episode was frustratingly the shortest length at just 54 minutes, while the penultimate episode and the finale will last 80 minutes.
The final episode will air on May 19, but let's try our best not to think about that right now.
Watch the latest Game of Thrones trailer
The trailer for the second episode of season eight was released moments after episode one aired on HBO and Sky Atlantic. Here's a trailer breakdown of what we can expect in next week's episode.
Will Daenerys kill Jaime? Who is Arya ready to kill? What does the Night King's message mean? Here's hoping next week's Game of Thrones gives us the answers we need.
On March 5, Sky released their official Game of Thrones season 8 trailer. It hinted that Arya Stark may face her death in the forthcoming final series — find out exactly what the trailer means for season 8 and the ending of Game of Thrones.
Best Game of Thrones events in London
To really get you into the spirit of all things Westeros, London is playing host to a fantastic selection of Game of Thrones events.
So, if you fancy feasting like a king, drinking as hard as Cersei, or taking a seat on the Iron Throne, here's a round up of the must-attend happenings in the city this Spring:
Dinner is Coming - Up until 2 June, you can attend a murderous feast and feel just like you're sat at Joffrey and Margaery's wedding
Celebrate the music - On April 23, the London Palladium will be celebrating hit fantasy music from Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit with a special orchestral concert
Rave of Thrones - See Brixton like you've never seen it before and dance the night away at Electric Brixton-turned snowy Winterfell on April 26
If travelling to London isn't your thing, why not celebrate the new season by throwing your very own Game of Thrones themed party at home. What better excuse than the final season to finally add some Westeros-style interior to your living room.
Game of Thrones - what are you predictions?
Is there a Game of Thrones prequel?
For a large number of fans, life simply doesn’t have purpose without Game of Thrones. So what to do when it comes to an end, other than cosplay and creating your own forum? (Please don’t).
Thankfully, HBO know where the money is, and a spin-off show is on the horizon.
HBO have confirmed there is more to come from the world of Westeros, as they plan to work on a prequel series based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series. But with no confirmed director or cast, it’s hard to tell exactly when, or what, HBO have got lined up. Although HBO head of programming Casey Bloys recently told fans: “You’re not going to see anything air anytime close to the season eight finale”.
Let the countdown begin.
Watch season 8 of Game of Thrones through NOW TV with a free 7 day trial of their Sky Entertainment pass
