Sunday, December 8, 2024

House of the Draggin’: HBO Series Falls in Second Week by 16% Key Demo, Down in Total Viewers

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House of the Dragon is not having any easy launch.

The second season of the “Game of Thrones” spin off had a hard start last week. Now its second week has gotten worse.

Week 2 for Season 2 was down 17% in the key age demo, and down almost 2% in total viewers — 1.3 million.

These are actually reported numbers for linear HBO, not counting Max and other platforms. But linear numbers tell the story. Fans — especially the desired age group — are not digging the prequel.

The show is relentlessly grim. It’s also very dark. The characters are constantly at odds with each other. There’s never a light moment, or indications of friendship or family loyalties. It just seems like a constant war.

This is a big difference from “Game of Thrones.” Yes, it was violent, but it was also sexy and fun. In the first few seasons you could also root for Jon Snow and Jamie Lannister. I can’t find a character to invest in.

Luckily we are two days away from the return of “The Bear” on Hulu. Yes, chef! Maybe Carmie can broil up some dragons!

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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