Game Of Thrones Opener Breaks Viewing Record

The first episode of the fifth season of Game Of Thrones brought a record number of viewers to Sky Atlantic.

As the new series, starring British stars Lena Headey, Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke, launched on the channel, 1.57 million viewers tuned in.

The channel had its best overnight performance to date and was up 29% on last year's season opener.

Sky said it was watched by a 6.72% share of viewing in all homes.

The 9pm drama attracted more viewers to the channel than to BBC2, which had 1.3 million for new documentary series Inside Harley Street, and Channel 5, which attracted 802,000 to Gotham.

Game Of Thrones, based on George RR Martin's books, has become a huge hit around the globe but has been accused of misogyny because of its depiction of sexual violence.

Actress Clarke, who plays "mother of dragons" Daenerys Targaryen, recently praised the show for creating female characters which "accept our femininity".

The premiere of the fifth season aired in the US on Sunday to rave reviews, after a leak of the first four episodes online .

Viewing numbers are expected to grow when the consolidated figures come in, which include catch-up viewing over the next seven days.

:: Game Of Thrones is on Sky Atlantic at 9pm on Mondays and available on catch up.