Which U.S. cable network originally aired Game of Thrones? HBO originally aired Game of Thrones in the United States. HBO developed the series as an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, beginning with A Game of Thrones.
The series premiered on April 17, 2011, and ran for eight seasons and 73 episodes before concluding on May 19, 2019. Its story follows competing noble families, exiled heirs, and the Night’s Watch across Westeros and Essos, with the Iron Throne at the center of the political struggle.
A common mix-up is confusing HBO with streaming services or international broadcasters. HBO was the original U.S. network; later, viewers in other countries watched through different licensed channels and platforms. HBO also produced related series, including House of the Dragon, set in the same fictional world but centuries earlier.