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Game of Thrones finale prompts Sky Atlantic social media blackout

Photo credit: HBO
Photo credit: HBO

From Digital Spy

Sky Atlantic has called for Silence in the Realms and announced a social media blackout to help Game of Thrones fans avoid spoilers.

With the fantasy show's final ever episode airing tonight in the US (and at 2am on Monday morning in the UK), fans are naturally desperate to avoid spoilers before they've seen the finale.

So Sky has confirmed that its Atlantic social channels – including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – will be silent for a full 24 hours from midnight tonight (May 19), to try to and prevent Thrones fans having the final episode spoiled for them.

Photo credit: Sky - HBO
Photo credit: Sky - HBO

Related: 11 Game of Thrones characters that turned out to be totally pointless

While Sky Atlantic is keeping silent, all other Sky branded channels will be posting as normal – but don't worry, they won't mention Game of Thrones either.

It comes after research shows that over half of British people (or 59%, to be accurate) are worried about the show's ending being spoilt for them before they've had a chance to watch the finale, with 69% of people planning to avoid social media until they've seen it.

You know, that's if you're not getting up at 2am to watch it live – which 30% of us are planning to do.

Photo credit: Helen Sloan/HBO - Sky
Photo credit: Helen Sloan/HBO - Sky

Related: Here's how each of Game of Thrones' stars have reacted to the show's final season

"If you're planning to use social media on Monday you'll have to be stealthier than Arya creeping into the godswood to avoid spoiling the ending of Thrones," Sky Director of Programmes Zai Bennett said in a statement.

"We'll be doing our bit to let fans enjoy the final episode in peace, but if you're not tuning in at 2am, your best bet is to turn off notifications and have a social vacation until you've caught up!"

Photo credit: Helen Sloan/HBO
Photo credit: Helen Sloan/HBO

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Meanwhile, over 1 million signatures have been added to a fan petition demanding that the final season be remade following the divisive fifth episode 'The Bells', which was criticised by fans of the show for the way it handled several character arcs.

Thankfully there's now only a day to wait until we find out how the whole thing ends...

Game of Thrones season 8 airs on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. Tune in to Digital Spy's Game of Thrones livestreams on Monday evenings, straight after each episode, on Instagram and Facebook.


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