HBO Hits New Heights With The Pitt And Game Of Thrones Spin Off

HBO has long been the gold standard for prestige television, and the start of 2026 has only reinforced its dominance, with two of its most talked-about series—A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The Pitt—vying for top spots on the global streaming charts. Both shows, while wildly different in genre and tone, have captured the attention of audiences and critics alike, sparking debates about what makes for truly compelling television in an era overflowing with choice.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the latest entry in the ever-expanding universe of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones franchise. Set a full 90 years before the events of the original series and following the timeline after House of the Dragon, this six-part spin-off tells a more intimate story. Gone are the dragons and the world-ending threats of white walkers; instead, viewers join hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they journey across the Seven Kingdoms. According to Collider, the show’s stripped-down approach offers a fresh perspective on Westeros, focusing on personal quests and the complex social tapestry of the realm.

Despite the built-in fanbase and the magnetic pull of all things Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has found itself in a tight race for viewership supremacy. As of early February 2026, the series was dethroned from the top of HBO Max’s global streaming charts by a very different contender: the medical drama The Pitt. Per data from Flixpatrol and confirmed by Collider, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms now sits at the second spot, trailing behind The Pitt and competing with other heavy hitters like The Last of Us, Industry, and Heated Rivalry.

The shift is notable, given the immense anticipation that surrounded the Game of Thrones spin-off. But as Collider points out, the series is still fresh for audiences, and there’s plenty of time for it to gain further traction. “There’s a chance more viewers will find the former in due time,” the outlet notes, suggesting that the show’s narrative depth and character-driven focus may lead to a slow-burn success rather than an immediate ratings juggernaut.

Meanwhile, The Pitt has quietly become one of HBO’s crown jewels. Starring Noah Wyle, the Emmy-winning medical drama has earned critical acclaim not only for its performances but also for its commitment to realism. Medical professionals have praised the show’s accurate and nuanced portrayal of healthcare workers, a rarity in the genre. According to Collider, the first season was a breakout hit, prompting HBO to greenlight a third season even before the premiere of the second.

The numbers back up the buzz. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, The Pitt opened its second season on January 8, 2026, with its best streaming performance to date, racking up 939 million minutes of viewing on HBO Max during the week of January 5-11. That figure represents a 10 percent jump from its previous best—852 million minutes during the season one finale week in April 2025. The show’s return to the charts the previous week suggests that many viewers were catching up on the first season, building anticipation for the new episodes.

To put those numbers in perspective, The Pitt outpaced many other popular shows in the same week, including Netflix’s His & Hers (1.39 billion minutes) and Paramount+’s Landman (1.43 billion minutes). However, the reigning champion was still Stranger Things, which, despite cooling off after its record-setting series finale debut, notched a staggering 3.2 billion minutes of watch time. Nielsen’s streaming ratings, it should be noted, only cover television viewing in the United States and exclude minutes watched on computers or mobile devices—a limitation that likely means the actual audience is even larger.

Both The Pitt and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have secured their futures with renewals. The Pitt was granted a third season ahead of its second, a testament to HBO’s confidence in the show’s staying power. Likewise, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been renewed for a second season, which will adapt the next book in Martin’s novella series, The Sworn Sword. As Collider reports, the core cast is expected to return, ensuring continuity for fans invested in the ongoing saga of Ser Duncan and Egg.

What’s behind the success of these two very different series? For The Pitt, much of the credit goes to its authenticity and the gravitas brought by Noah Wyle and his ensemble cast. The medical drama genre is crowded, but The Pitt stands out for its unflinching look at the challenges and triumphs of healthcare workers—a topic that has only grown in relevance in recent years. The show’s ability to balance high-stakes hospital drama with deeply personal stories has resonated with viewers and critics alike.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, on the other hand, benefits from the enduring appeal of the Game of Thrones world. Even as it departs from the spectacle of dragons and epic battles, the show’s focus on character development and the moral ambiguities of medieval life keeps audiences hooked. The chemistry between Peter Claffey’s Ser Duncan and Dexter Sol Ansell’s Egg is a highlight, offering a mentor-mentee dynamic that feels both fresh and familiar to longtime fans.

It’s also worth noting the broader context of streaming competition. As The Hollywood Reporter details, the week of January 5-11 saw a crowded field, with shows like The Traitors on Peacock and Beast Games on Prime Video also posting strong numbers. Limited series like 11.22.63 and former NBC shows such as Found found new audiences after being added to Netflix, demonstrating the power of platform shifts in boosting viewership.

For HBO, the simultaneous success of The Pitt and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a validation of its strategy to invest in both established franchises and original programming. By offering something for everyone—whether it’s the high fantasy of Westeros or the grounded realism of a hospital drama—the network continues to set the bar for quality television.

With both series streaming now and more episodes on the horizon, viewers have plenty to look forward to. Whether you’re drawn to the political intrigue of the Seven Kingdoms or the pulse-pounding drama of the emergency room, HBO is making sure there’s never a dull moment on your screen.

As the battle for streaming supremacy rages on, one thing is clear: HBO’s latest offerings are keeping fans—and the competition—on their toes.