The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, which recognize the best in US television, drew in a record low 11.3 million viewers, according to preliminary data released by Nielsen.

The figure represents a five percent drop from the previous low of 11.8 million viewers who tuned in to watch last year's event which was hosted by Fox.

This year's ceremony, which aired Sunday on ABC, suffered in viewership as it faced competition from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" and the opening of a mini-series on CBS.

The low ratings are in line with a steady decline in viewership for awards shows, including the Oscars ceremony earlier this year which drew its smallest audience since 2008.

Sunday's Emmys saw HBO's fantasy epic "Game of Thrones" make television history, becoming the most decorated fictional show since the awards began nearly seven decades ago.

The series picked up 12 Emmys this season, giving it a total haul over the years of 38, overtaking the haul of 37 won by long-running comedy "Frasier".

Nielsen is expected to release its final figures on this year's show on Tuesday.