Will Game of Thrones season 7 finale be hurt at all by VMAs?
The fact that we are even framing a conversation in such a way really is a big-time testament to where things are right now in the TV landscape. We do know that there is going to be some enthusiasm around the VMAs, given that you do have Katy Perry hosting and also the long-awaited debut of the new single from Taylor Swift. Yet, at the same time there is not that much interest in the VMAs. So far this weekend, there are two stories that we’ve been hearing about time and time again:
1. Whether or not the Game of Thrones finale is going to set a new ratings record for HBO — even with the competition coming in over at MTV, we still think that it will.
2. Whether or not the Mayweather/McGregor fight tonight is going to be a complete bust. Yes, a boxing match involving one guy who is not even a boxer is somehow getting a little bit more attention these days that the VMAs are.
What we’re trying to say here is that we don’t anticipate Game of Thrones really being impacted at all by the VMAs being on the air. Instead, what we figure is going to happen more is that there are some MTV viewers who are going to tune in to see the start of the show, switch over to HBO when the George R.R. Martin adaptation is over, and then go back to MTV at the very end of it. They know that if there are major highlights from the event, they can just find them somewhere else after the fact. The VMAs are also not that big of a deal when you think about spoilers getting out — we don’t think anyone is going to be enraged if someone ruins something about a performance to one of their friends. However, if they did that for a Game of Thrones episode we’ve got a feeling that there would be hell to pay. This show has made it this far mostly off of the enthusiasm of its fans, who watch live and treat this show like it is one of the most important things in the world.
Do you think that the VMAs are actually going to put a dent into Game of Thrones and the finale in any way? Be sure to share now in the attached comments!
Meanwhile, you can head over to this link right now in the event that you do want to get some more news on the HBO series, including a preview for the finale. (Photo: HBO.)