'Game of Thrones' comes to China as Tencent joins forces with HBO

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Chinese internet users will soon be able to legally watch fantasy series Game of Thrones thanks to the tie-up between Tencent and HBO. Photo: HBO

Published: 5:26pm, 26 Nov 2014Updated: 5:58pm, 20 Jun 2018

The battle for online viewers in China heated up again on Tuesday with Tencent’s announcement of a tie-up with HBO. The deal will see a number of shows from the American subscription channel, such as hit fantasy series Game of Thrones and media drama The Newsroom, streamed in China. They will be available soon on the Tencent Video site.

However, all the violence, nudity, and sex scenes that have made 'Game of Thrones' compelling will make it tough to edit for approval in China. It will likely involve a number of cuts.

A Tencent representative declined to comment on the record about this issue.

When the first season of Game of Thrones was broadcast by state broadcaster CCTV, which bought the rights, in April, many outspoken fans called it an edited “mess”.

Gritty gangster show Boardwalk Empire and crime drama True Detective will also be available.

As with most of the licensed TV shows on China’s most popular video sites – such as Youku, iQiyi, PPTV and Tencent Video – the shows will be free of charge, but will include pre-roll advertising (several-second spots which play before the content loads).

Tencent Video also has a premium package that viewers can purchase to eliminate the ads.

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