{"id":2270845,"date":"2024-06-18T17:32:02","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T21:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/game-of-ratings-brutal-and-violent-house-of-dragon-season-2-premiere-sees-stark-viewership-drop\/"},"modified":"2024-06-18T17:35:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T21:35:58","slug":"game-of-ratings-brutal-and-violent-house-of-dragon-season-2-premiere-sees-stark-viewership-drop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/game-of-ratings-brutal-and-violent-house-of-dragon-season-2-premiere-sees-stark-viewership-drop\/","title":{"rendered":"House of Dragon&#8217; Season 2 Debuts with Sharp Decline in Viewership"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgame-of-ratings-brutal-and-violent-house-of-dragon-season-2-premiere-sees-stark-viewership-drop%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2270845&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The \u200barticle \u2064discusses\u2062 the premiere of\u200b the second season of &#8220;House of the Dragon,&#8221; \u200ca spinoff series from\u2062 the widely popular &#8220;Game of Thrones.&#8221; The premiere episode, which continues to explore the expansive fantasy\u200b world \u2062created by George R.R. Martin, attracted about 7.8 million viewers across all platforms. This figure, though significant, marked a nearly 22% drop \u2062from the\u200c viewership numbers seen in the series\u2019 first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/review-venom-let-there-be-carnage\/\" title=\"REVIEW: \u2018Venom: Let There Be Carnage\u2019\">season premiere<\/a>,\u2064 which had nearly 10\u2062 million viewers.<\/p>\n<p>The decline in \u200dviewership\u2063 may have been \u2062influenced by the episode&#8217;s graphic content, despite the series being \u200cknown for its brutal and violent themes. The article describes the premiere episode as including \u200dparticularly disturbing scenes, even hinting at the off-screen murder of\u200c a young child, which could have potentially deterred some viewers.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the drop, the viewership numbers for &#8220;House \u200dof the Dragon&#8221; remain strong, but expectations for an HBO show part of a \u2064successful franchise are \u2064typically\u200b higher. The article suggests that the true test for \u200bthe season&#8217;s success will be the viewership trends in upcoming episodes.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the article \u2062ends with a message from\u2063 the staff at\u200c The Western Journal, highlighting \u200dtheir ongoing\u2063 battles\u200b with Big Tech\u200d and\u2064 appeals for donations to support their operations. This section underscores the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/female-tech-jobseekers-are-furious-that-men-claiming-to-be-nonbinary-crashed-their-conference\/\" title=\"Female tech jobseekers are angry as men identifying as 'nonbinary' disrupted their conference.\">broader challenges\u200b faced<\/a> by the publication\u200d amidst a landscape dominated\u2063 by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-level-republicans-push-back-on-big-tech\/\" title=\"State-Level Republicans Push Back on Big Tech\">major tech companies<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<header> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/commentary\/\">  Commentary <\/a>  <\/p>\n<h2>Game of Ratings: Brutal and Violent &#8216;House of Dragon&#8217; Season 2 Premiere Sees Stark Viewership Drop<\/h2>\n<p> <span> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/bchai\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <span>   By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/bchai\/%20\"><span>Bryan Chai<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <span>   June 18, 2024 at 1:26pm <\/span> <\/span>  <\/header>\n<section>\n<p>There are very few recent shows that can claim to have genuinely seized the zeitgeist.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cM*A*S*H\u201d isn\u2019t \u201crecent\u201d by any means, but it is an easy choice for this sort of list. As polarizing as it is to many sitcom purists, \u201cFriends\u201d also fits that bill, as does \u201cSeinfeld.\u201d \u201cLost\u201d and \u201cThe Office\u201d also probably make that list.<\/p>\n<p>And as off-puttingly violent and lurid as it can be, \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d \u2014 HBO\u2019s brutal adaptation of George R.R. Martin\u2019s medieval fantasy \u201cA Song of Ice and Fire\u201d novels \u2014 makes that list too.<\/p>\n<p>The show, which ran for eight seasons from 2011 to 2019, was a critical and cultural darling. Modern drama series are constantly trying to chase being \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/shogun-reviews-disneys-japanese-epic-new-game-thrones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the next<\/a> \u2018Game of Thrones&#8217;\u201d for a reason.<\/p>\n<p>Given the expansive lore of Martin\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/crime-is-increasing-police-sgt-says-gov-newsom-is-living-in-fantasy-world\/\" title=\"\u2018Crime Is Increasing\u2019: Police Sgt. Says Gov. Newsom Is Living In \u2018Fantasy World\u2019\">fantasy world<\/a> and the legions of fans the show had cultivated, it was inevitable that \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d would see some sort of spinoff series.<\/p>\n<p>That series arrived in the form of 2022\u2019s \u201cHouse of the Dragon,\u201d which explores events that take place roughly 200 years before the original show.<\/p>\n<p>Despite a somewhat poorly received final season of \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d (many fans of the franchise felt the show fell off in quality once it outpaced the books, which Martin is still writing), three years turned out to be enough of a waiting period to build up a noteworthy appetite for more \u201cIce and Fire\u201d content.<\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/tv\/tv-news\/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-premiere-ratings-1235924887\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> noted, the Aug. 21, 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/transgender-actor-gets-best-actress-emmy-nod-first-in-history\/\" title=\"Transgender Actor Gets Best Actress Emmy Nod, First In History\">series premiere<\/a> of \u201cHouse of the Dragon\u201d garnered \u201cnearly 10 million viewers across all platforms.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>First-night ratings for each episode of the inaugural season remained in the range of 9 million to 9.5 million viewers.<\/p>\n<p>The first episode of Season 2 of \u201cHouse of the Dragon\u201d did not meet those lofty standards \u2014 at all \u2014 despite the epic score that welcomes viewers:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Targaryen history weaved together. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FYDMMtFbXe\">pic.twitter.com\/FYDMMtFbXe<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HouseofDragon\/status\/1802733654189486437?\">June 17, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The premiere Sunday night brought in a much more humble 7.8 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.<\/p>\n<p>And given that viewership tends to trend downward across a given television season (you\u2019re much more likely to lose fans than to suddenly gain them midway through a season), that could be a worrying sign for HBO\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/point-diminishing-returns-yet-another-game-thrones-spinoff-reportedly-works\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cash cow<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>To be clear, 7.8 million viewers is a perfectly fine figure \u2014 even if it is a far cry from \u201cnearly 10 million\u201d \u2014 and one that most shows would love to garner. And THR did note that \u201cSunday was a historically low TV usage night, per Nielsen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For a pricey and prestigious show that\u2019s a part of a lucrative media franchise? Those expectations are a bit loftier.<\/p>\n<p>And again, this is just the second season. You would want the arrow trending upward season-over-season, not falling by 22 percent.<\/p>\n<p>As to why the viewership came in a bit softer than some might\u2019ve expected, the intense subject matter of the premiere episode might have scared some viewers off.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Warning: The following contains mild spoilers and graphic descriptions that some viewers may find disturbing.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Chronicling the infamous \u201cBlood and Cheese\u201d storyline from Martin\u2019s books, the season premiere (titled \u201cA Son for a Son\u201d) sees the brutal off-screen murder of a young child. While nothing is shown of the murder itself, you do hear muffled screaming and a wet slicing sound clearly meant to imply a decapitation. That is obviously very disturbing content, even for a show that\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/success-game-thrones-hollywood-left-reportedly-seeks-sexualize-lord-rings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">known for its depravity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And yet \u2014 somehow \u2014 the HBO version was <em>tamer <\/em>than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/house-of-the-dragon-changed-the-famed-blood-and-cheese-from-the-books-and-they-were-right-to\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">what happened<\/a> in the books.<\/p>\n<p>Given all that, is it a surprise that anyone familiar with the source material might have been squeamish or hesitant to tune in?<\/p>\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-container\">\n<p>Did you ever watch \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And if that\u2019s true, has the show <em>finally <\/em>found a level of depravity that viewers simply can\u2019t stomach?<\/p>\n<p>The proof will be in the ratings when the second episode of \u201cHouse of the Dragon\u201d releases across various HBO-affiliated platforms on Sunday.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<div>\n<p><b><i>An Important Message from Our Staff:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span>We who work here at The Western Journal have fought for years against Big Tech and the elites who want to shut us down and then shut America down. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Make no mistake \u2014 nothing will be the same after November 2024. Will you help us fight? Will you <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=BM6XAWRJ8NS7A&#038;utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>help us expose the America-hating elites<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>  who will do everything they can to steal this election? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>We\u2019re a small group of people fighting to save the country for our readers and for our own family and friends. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=BM6XAWRJ8NS7A&#038;utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>Can we count on your help?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i><span>At this point, Big Tech has cut off our access to 90% of advertisers. Imagine if someone took 90% of your paycheck and there was nothing you could do. They\u2019re trying to starve us out.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Donations from readers like you have literally helped keep our lights on, and <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=BM6XAWRJ8NS7A&#038;utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>we need you<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>  now more than ever. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>We operate on a shoestring budget, but with that budget, we terrify the globalists. Please help us continue the fight. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=BM6XAWRJ8NS7A&#038;utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>Stand with us<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>, and we will never surrender.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Thank you for reading The Western Journal and for believing in America. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>It is a pleasure to serve you.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>P.S. Please don\u2019t let the America-hating left win. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=BM6XAWRJ8NS7A&#038;utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>Stand with us today<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"author-info-44778\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/bchai\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<div>\n<p><label for=\"summary-tab-radio-44778\">Summary<\/label><label for=\"more-info-tab-radio-44778\">More<span> Biographical Information<\/span><\/label><label for=\"posts-tab-radio-44778\">Recent<span> Posts<\/span><\/label><label for=\"contact-tab-radio-44778\" onclick=\"if( typeof grecaptcha=='undefined' ) { let cap_s=document.createElement( 'script' ); cap_s.src='https:\/\/www.google.com\/recaptcha\/api.js?render=6LeJFcsUAAAAAPsIEqvB1EebWbZfqRUe6ebMpGy7'; document.body.appendChild( cap_s ); }\">Contact<\/label><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Bryan Chai has written news and sports for The Western Journal for more than five years and has produced more than 1,300 stories. He specializes in the NBA and NFL as well as politics.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>  Bryan Chai has written news and sports for The Western Journal for more than five years and has produced more than 1,300 stories. He specializes in the NBA and NFL as well as politics. He graduated with a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. He is an avid fan of sports, video games, politics and debate. <\/p>\n<p>  Birthplace <\/p>\n<p>  Hawaii <\/p>\n<p>  Education <\/p>\n<p>  Class of 2010 University of Arizona. BEAR DOWN. <\/p>\n<p>  Location <\/p>\n<p>  Phoenix, Arizona <\/p>\n<p>  Languages Spoken <\/p>\n<p>  English, Korean <\/p>\n<p>  Topics of Expertise <\/p>\n<p>  Sports, Entertainment, Science\/Tech <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>House of Dragon&#8221; Season 2 premiered with significantly lower ratings, despite its brutal and violent content. Few modern shows capture the zeitgeist as &#8220;M*A*S*H&#8221; once did, though it&#8217;s far from recent<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2015,"featured_media":2270846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/House-of-Dragon.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2270845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/House-of-Dragon.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2015"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2270845"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270845\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2270846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2270845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2270845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2270845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}