The season five premiere of Game of
Thrones has set a new ratings record for Sky Atlantic, with 1.57 million
viewers - a 6.7% share of the audience.
Monday night's opener was just behind Channel 4 and beat terrestrial channels BBC Two and Channel 5 in the ratings.BBC Two's Inside Harley Street drew 1.3 million (5.8%) while Gotham attracted 800,000 (3.4%) to Channel 5.
The eagerly-awaited return of HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones was up 29% on last year's season four launch.
That 2014 episode was seen by 1.2 million viewers, across both an overnight simulcast with the US and a 21:00 BST repeat, indicating how the once cult show has increased in popularity to become a mainstream hit.
The season five premiere delivered Sky Atlantic's best overnight audience figures to date, just behind Channel 4's Skint, which was seen by 1.6 million people - a 6.9% of the audience.
Overnight figures show ITV drama Code of a Killer was Monday night's most-watched programme in the 21:00 to 22:00 BST timeslot, securing 4.5 million viewers and a 21% audience share, while BBC One's Masterchef was seen by 4.3 million (18.4%).
