HBO is once again grappling with leaks as the highly anticipated season finale ofHouse of the Dragonwas prematurely released on social media. Clips from the episode, originallyslated for an official premiere on August 4, were posted online Tuesday night. The footage, captured by filming a screen with a secondary device, was quickly dispatched across platforms like TikTok and other social media sites. In response, HBO issued a statement acknowledging the leak.
“We are aware that clips from theHouse of the Dragonseason finale have surfaced across social media platforms. The clips were posted after an unintentional release from an international third-party distributor. HBO is aggressively monitoring and removing clips from the internet, and fans can watch the episode in its entirety this Sunday night on HBO and Max.”
This incident marks the second consecutive season finale ofHouse of the Dragonto leak ahead of schedule. TheGame of Thronesfranchise, including its prequel series, has a notorious history of leaks, too, which typically arise in the week prior to an episode’s official release when the content is sent to HBO’s international partners for purposes such as subtitle dubbing and regional distribution. Given the global interest in the series, episodes are distributed simultaneously across multiple regions, making it challenging to prevent such leaks.
What Other Leaks Have Plagued ‘Game of Thrones’?
The latest leak of theHouse of the Dragonseason finale is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern that has plagued the series.The fifth season ofGame of Thronessaw a significant breach when the first four episodes were leaked online before the season’s premiere. These leaks were attributed to screeners provided to reviewers and media, which were subsequently shared on piracy websites.
Perhaps the most notorious incident occurredduring Season 7. The fourth episode, titled “The Spoils of War,” was leaked by an HBO distribution partner in India. The leaked episode quickly spread online, even before its official airing, leading to widespread piracy. Additionally, the sixth episode of the season, “Beyond the Wall,” was accidentally aired by HBO Spain for a full hour before being pulled down, giving pirates ample time to capture and distribute the episode.
The final season was also not immune to leaks. Key plot points and scenes appeared online ahead of the episodes, including detailed descriptions and partial video footage. These leaks were speculated to have originated from internal sources or international distribution channels.
The finale ofHouse of the Dragon’s second season will be available to watch on Sunday at 9pm on HBO.
House of the Dragon
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
