A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Dethrones The Pitt as HBO Max’s #1 Show

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HBO Max’s The Pitt seemed like the most popular show, but it’s now been surpassed by A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This new Game of Thrones spinoff premiered on January 18th and quickly became the most-watched program on the streaming service, according to Flix Patrol.

Following the controversial ending of Game of Thrones and a somewhat underwhelming second season of House of the Dragon, many wondered if audiences were losing interest in George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world. However, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has shown that isn’t true. The show has been well-received, earning an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its strong premiere viewership numbers demonstrate that fans are excited for this new story in Westeros.

What Is A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms About?

Image via HBO

Set almost a century before the events of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Ser Duncan the Tall, known as “Dunk,” a young knight trying to improve his fortunes by entering jousting competitions.

The main character in Knight of the Seven Kingdoms travels with a young squire named Egg, whose blunt honesty often irritates him, but the two eventually become close friends. Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is HBO’s third series based on the works of George R.R. Martin, specifically adapted from his Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, which are part of the larger A Song of Ice and Fire universe.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Will Dominate HBO Max For The Next 6 Weeks

The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will have six episodes, concluding on February 22nd on HBO Max. Based on its strong start, the Game of Thrones prequel is expected to be the most-watched show on the streaming service during its run.

Despite past disappointments, it’s obvious many people are still eager for stories from the world of Game of Thrones. Interestingly, even stories without dragons seem to appeal to fans.

Interestingly, the fact that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn’t have dragons or huge battles actually makes it more appealing. It’s a Game of Thrones story that feels more realistic and isn’t as intense, which is a welcome change from the main show and its spin-offs, and ultimately makes it stronger.

2026 Is Off To A Great Start For HBO Max

HBO Max is having a fantastic year, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is only one example of its success. While it’s now second on the platform’s most-watched list, season 2 of The Pitt has seen a huge jump in viewers—a 200% increase over its first season premiere—bringing in 7.2 million viewers in its debut week.

HBO Max continues to benefit from the success of its 2025 hit, the gay hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, which remains a popular choice, currently ranking at number 3. The streamer’s dramatic series Industry also launched its fourth season on January 11th and is now at number 4.

HBO Max is looking at a very strong 2026, with the third seasons of the popular shows Euphoria and House of the Dragon both scheduled to arrive later in the year. While the second season of House of the Dragon didn’t receive overwhelmingly positive reviews, its finale still drew a large audience, meaning the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will likely face competition from within the same franchise.

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2026-01-19 20:58