Did China Just Block the “Game of Thrones” Finale Because of the Trade War?

“We’re very sorry, but due to a media transmission issue, episode 6 can not be uploaded on schedule”. So goes a message on Chinese streaming giant Tencent’s dedicated Game of Thrones page, where Chinese fans have been flocking this morning in the hopes of seeing the conclusion of the epic HBO show’s eighth and final season.

Tencent had promised episodes would be released by 9am every Monday in China as the hit show wrapped up its run in the US, but by evening the finale was still yet to appear. The arrangement had already proven controversial after episode one came in at 6 minutes shorter in China, but at least viewers in the country got to see it. Now, the “delay” has left Chinese fans feeling completely deprived, with many turning their ire on Tencent on social media — all while attempting to dodge spoilers.

Related:

Game of Censors: Chinese Fans Angered by Deleted “Game of Thrones” Scenes

Exactly what has caused the “delay” is unclear, though it’s led some GoT fanatics to fear the final episode may never make it to one of China’s leading streaming services. (Not that that would necessarily deprive Chinese fans entirely; there have been numerous pirated versions of the show circulating online as we noted in the article linked above.)

Reception to Tencent’s announcement has not been sympathetic on Chinese social media.

Not a lot of translation needed here.

“This action is really… So many people paid for VIP accounts because of this, and then we cannot see the last episode…”

“No time to censor the content?”

In a week when State broadcaster CCTV6 made headlines for replacing its normal programming with a slew of anti-US war films, some have even wondered whether there was a broader narrative at play…

“Is this because of the Trade War?”

Oh well, in the meantime perhaps Chinese GoT fans can just play the Tencent-developed game? Oh wait….

We Played Tencent’s Shitty New “Game of Thrones” Game and Lost Brain Cells