The world's most pirated show is doing the rounds through illicit file-sharing channels again — and Australians are the worst offenders. Again.

But this time a record number of fans also tuned in to watch the show on Foxtel legitimately.

Melisandre, aka the Red Woman. Credit:HBO

Game of Thrones season six debuted on Monday at 11am in Australia exclusively on Foxtel and its streaming service, Foxtel Play.

Despite Foxtel discounting the price of its streaming service ahead of the premiere, plenty of Australians refused to fork out, instead taking to torrents to obtain a pirated copy of the first episode.