Welcome to Axis ProRata, where we take just 10 minutes to get you smarter on the collision of tech, business, and politics.

Sponsored by Bridge Bank. Be bold. Venture wisely. I'm Dan Per Mac. On today's show, how to invest in Uber without buying into its IPO, and Trump bumps Stephen Moore.

But first, the end of event TV and the future of HBO.

This Sunday night will be the third to last episode ever of Game of Thrones,

the HBO mega hit that's one part band of brothers, one part Dallas, and one part

labyrinth.

Over 17 million people watched last Sunday's episode,

while the premiere from this season has now gotten nearly 40 million views,

including those who watched either subsequent airings or via HBO streaming service.

In today's TV landscape, those numbers count as event television.

The sort of thing that used to be known as water cooler television, you know, shows everyone is talking about at work the following day, sort of collective

experience that people largely have alone, creating a virtuous cycle of audience addiction.

Now, these numbers remain much lower than event TV of the past. So, for example, the Seinfeld

finale in 1998 had 76 million viewers, while over 100 million people watched the last episode of MASH in 1983.

The difference between then and now, and arguably between 1998 and 1983, is an ever-expanding number of entertainment choices.

And from a certain perspective, it is indeed great that we have

many more shows that we can watch at many more times. But on the other hand, we are slowly losing

that collective experience, something we all shared, regardless of things like geography or

political and religious beliefs. It was bonding. And arguably, this Sunday night's Game of

Thrones episode will be event television's last gasp. In 20 seconds, and arguably this Sunday night's Game of Thrones episode will be

event television's last gasp. In 20 seconds, we'll go deeper with Recode executive editor Peter Kafka.

But first, this. The Equity Fund Resources Group at Bridgebank is a central hub for the venture

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