Quick Hits: Blinkbox sales surge, Game of Thrones at the Edinburgh TV Festival, and Westeros inspired wine
Here are a few bits of recent news to round out your Saturday.
The fourth season of Game of Thrones has been a huge success, becoming HBO’s most watched show ever, and continually breaking piracy records. Now Blinkbox is reporting that the arrival of the latest season on their digital streaming service has been just as successful.
Season 4’s first week on Blinkbox garnered 60% more sales than Season 3’s opening week, and sales of Seasons 1-3 have seen a 47% increase since the latest season became available. All of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels have also claimed the top spots on Blinkbox Books.
Blinkbox has made a habit of marketing their Game of Thrones offerings creatively. Last year they installed a 40ft dragon skull on the Jurassic coast, and this year they released an ad featuring dragons chasing a golfer, and of course, the Pugs of Westeros.
On the success of Thrones’ recent sales, Blinkbox COO Adrian Letts commented: “The buzz around Game of Thrones this year has reached fever pitch and that’s translating into sales. At blinkbox we are passionate about offering a brilliant entertainment experience for customers and the combination of the latest titles with attractive offers powered by our relationship with Tesco is a great formula.”
The Edinburgh International Television Festival has announced that this year’s programming will include a Game of Thrones panel.
HBO programming chief Mike Lombardo will head the panel, which will take attendees behind the scenes of the series, and provide unique insight into its production. They promise that more talent involved in the series will be announced as additions to the panel very soon.
The festival will run from August 21-23.
Sydney-based advertising agency Common Ventures has announced an indulgent new side project: The Wines of Westeros.
Created by a team of passionate fans, the collection of 12 wines were inspired by their favorite characters and houses. Each bottle features a simply designed sigil and is accompanied by a clever description. The Arryn reads: Sweeter than the milk from a mother’s teat, this drop offers an escape from the insanity of the Vale. Control your temper and tread carefully – it’s a long fall through the moon door.
The collection offers a variety of wines to choose from including Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs, Merlot, and more. Jane Burhop of Common Ventures told PSFK, “The reds are all associated with the houses that are head strong and robust. The whites on the other hand are more cunning, perceptive and mysterious.”
The wine will be supplied by Australian wineries, and Burhop explains that the bottles could be seen as collector items, or as a way to enhance the viewing experience. “Whether this becomes a coveted item for the fans or a bottle that is opened with every episode, this wine is made to be drunk with friends and to help soften the blow of the shock and heartache as our favourite characters are slowly killed off.”
The wines are available for pre-order now, costing around $20 AUS per bottle, and are expected to arrive just in time for Season 5.
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