LOS ANGELES — HBO’s seventh-season premiere of “Game of Thrones” last weekend drew a record-setting 10.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen company figures released Tuesday.

That eclipsed previous top-rated “Game of Thrones” episodes, including the 8.11 million who watched the season five finale in 2015 and the 8 million who tuned in to that year’s opener.

The numbers represent viewers who watched the episodes as they first aired. Many more join the party through streaming and DVR viewings.

Viewer fascination clearly is building as the fantasy saga based on George R.R. Martin’s books draws toward its end.

After this penultimate season of seven episodes, fewer than the usual 10, HBO has said there will be one more season with an expected eight episodes.