Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Start knitting those cossies: M-Net will do a big screen 8th season premiere episode Game of Thrones viewing party at 3am in the morning on 15 April.


Start knitting those cossies and get your cardboard cut-out dragons ready since M-Net (DStv 101) will be doing a big screen viewing party on 15 April for the premiere episode when the 8th and final season of HBO's Game of Thrones makes its debut at 03:00 in the morning.

Who mad, awake and milling about at that ungodly hour in Westeros and South Africa? Just go and you'll see - and be amazed.

Comic-Con Africa 2018 that took place in September in Johannesburg, with another Comic Con Africa 2019 set for 21 September at Gallagher Convention Centre, finally saw South Africans leave their "shame" behind when it comes to fully embracing cosplay and dressing up as their favourite characters in public.

In previous years M-Net twice did premiere episode screenings across the country for the premiere of Game of Thrones seasons where best-dressed guests lucky enough to win tickets (although it's not compulsory to come with costume) won DStv Explora decoders.

It's very likely that, given the enthusiasm and buzz for the final season, screening events will see the most and best-dressed Westeros couture yet, as delightful character imitations leave their suburban existence behind for an hour or two on 15 April to wander through empty shopping mall walkways while bemused security guards look on.

It's not yet known whether M-Net is teaming up with Ster-Kinekor or Nu Metro cinemas given a recent frigid fight in the Twitterverse between Ster-Kinekor and DStv over Game of Thrones, but screenings for the 8th season's first episode will definitely happen so far in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

At the moment M-Net can only confirm that "M-Net will also be hosting Game of Thrones fans for the season's premiere episode at 03:00, where they'll have an opportunity to dress up as their favourite characters".

"M-Net will announce venues for this screening through promos on M-Net (DStv 101), on M-Net's Twitter and Facebook pages and to the media at a later stage".

While many Game of Thrones fans and viewers exist in Durban and Port Elizabeth, it's not yet clear whether plans will include those cities.

The 8th season of Game of Thrones will start on Monday 15 April with M-Net that will show the final 6 episodes of the fantasy series - the world's most pirated show - as an Express from the US title at 03:00 in simulcast with the United States, and then on Mondays at 22:00.

In another big first Game of Thrones will, besides its linear broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101), also be on MultiChoice's DStv Now Catch Up service after episodes have been shown, as well as on the Showmax subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service.

Showmax, in addition, carries the library of the previous 7 seasons of the show.

Game of Thrones episodes will see its new episodes added weekly to Showmax and DStv Now the same day that they air on M-Net.

Here are some photos and ideas of what other Game of Thrones fans have done: