Sky viewers rage as Game of Thrones' NZ simulcast fails

Sky viewers who stayed home today to watch the first episode of Game of Thrones' fifth season at the promised time of 1pm say they've been "trolled" by the network.

The highly anticipated new episode of the top-rating HBO show hadn't started airing by 1.40pm on Soho, with Sky blaming "technical difficulties".

A press release said the network was "working as hard as we can" to fix the problem.

"Our suppliers are experiencing technical difficulties getting the live Game of Thrones feed to us - we're working as hard as we can to get it on screen as soon as possible this afternoon."

We're experiencing technical difficulties with the Game of Thrones simulcast. We're working to get this to you ASAP, please stay with us.

— Sky (@SKYNZ) April 13, 2015

UPDATE: Our suppliers are experiencing difficulties getting the live Game of Thrones feed to us - we're working to get it on screen ASAP.

— Sky (@SKYNZ) April 13, 2015

The network directed viewers to watch tonight's 8.30pm screening of the episode.

Angry viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustration.

Getting trolled by Soho!!!
Game of Thrones screening here in NZ delayed till 8:30pm tonight!!!#GameOfThronesSeason5 pic.twitter.com/RnFUm92PBk

— Rome (Arkayen) (@TheRealArkayen) April 13, 2015

@SKYNZ #soho #GameOfThrones5 #GameofThrones @gameofthrones pic.twitter.com/srZ1MGixMU

— Jared D (@jareddnz) April 13, 2015

what is the use of soho if i cant watch game of thrones

— Kayla Tauwhare (@tauwharek) April 13, 2015

@GameOfThrones i dont know what to do now :( soho New Zealand please sort it out :( pic.twitter.com/mnEPgcD2Wq

— Max Pepper (@MGPepper) April 13, 2015

SOHO WTF. GAME OF THRONES PREMIERE. And it decides not to work?!?!?!? #GoTSeason5

— Natalie Stol (@NatalieStol) April 13, 2015

Winter is 15 minutes late. @SKYNZ #GOT #GameOfThronesSeason5 #TechnicalDificulties

— Matthew J Wort (@MJWort) April 13, 2015

Four episodes of Thrones' fifth season reportedly leaked online over the weekend.

sky tv's plan to screen start of Game of Thrones season 5 at 1pm today has failed. Being redirected to 8.30pm pic.twitter.com/l2A13qBRZD

— Russell Baillie (@Russell_Baillie) April 13, 2015

- nzherald.co.nz