'The Newsroom' Topples 'Game Of Thrones' In Ratings

Aaron Sorkin's latest project - 'The Newsroom' starring Jeff Daniels - has performed surprisingly well in the ratings, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. The show follows an authoritative anchor named Will MCAvoy who strives to make a hard-hitting news program with his team.

According to the Washington Post, around 3 million people tuned in to watch the first episode of the show on Sunday. That audience actually puts the 'The Newsroom' ahead of some of HBO's most watched premieres of the last couple of years. The hugely successful 'Game of Thrones' only managed to pull in 2.2 million for its launch in April 2011, while vampire drama 'True Blood' drew only 1.4 million for its premiere in September 2008. Both shows have since gone on to achieve incredible levels of popularity, so there's still plenty of time for Sorkin's drama, despite the reluctance of critics to fully commit to the show. The Washington Post's Hank Stuever gave the premiere a scathing review, saying, "Sorkin's writing lapses into self-parody, leaving savvier viewers to marvel at how quickly the show goes awry", while the New Yorker bluntly asserted, "The Newsroom treats the audience as though we were extremely stupid". Other critics were more forgiving, including Matt Roush of TV Guide who wrote, "There's no question The Newsroom is eye-rollingly full of itself. But it's also recklessly full of wit, passion, anger and humor - and timely purpose".

Hbo ordered a full series of the show, starting with an initial 10-episode run. In the coming weeks, it will be likely be decided whether the network intends to pick up the show for a second season.