In the ongoing war between HBO and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss over how long Game Of Thrones should run, it looks like HBO might have secured a small victory. Benioff and Weiss favor a tighter run for the series, hoping to bow out before viewers lose interest. The premium network, on the other hand, prefers a run of approximately forever. The series is still a ratings stronghold for HBO, which would prefer to keep making millions on the show. But as we previously reported in April of last year, it looked like the final two seasons of the show would be shorter than the usual 10 episodes, with only 13 episodes left of the series. Season seven, due this summer, is still slated for a shortened season of seven episodes, but season eight’s proposed six-episode run is under reconsideration.
According to HBO programming president Casey Bloys, Benioff and Weiss are still deciding how long the farewell season will be, with executives no doubt whispering “make it forever” in their ears. “The only thing we’re working out is how many episodes they want to do,” Bloys said, adding that he “hopes” Benioff and Weiss will deliver more than six episodes. “They’re still figuring it out because I think they’re trying to get a shape of the season,” he said. “They always do what they think [will yield] the best version of the show. It’s all about how many they’re comfortable [with]. But I’ll always take more.”
Once the episode count is decided, HBO will likely make the show’s renewal official. “If you’re afraid we’re not going to do an eighth season, I assure you we’re going to,” Bloys said, quelling any paranoia about the lack of a formal season eight pickup. Season eight is coming—we just don’t know when it will be going.
[via TVLine]