BOOM X 1000: AMC's THE WALKING DEAD averaged 17.3 million same-day viewers for debut telecast and an 8.8 A18-49. Wow.
— Joe Adalian (@TVMoJoe) October 13, 2014
The season five premiere of AMC's "The Walking Dead" delivered the highest ratings in series history. The episode was watched by 17.3 million viewers and 11 million adults aged 18-49, increases of 7% and 6%, respectively, over the season four premiere, the previous record-holder. "The Walking Dead" continues to be the #1 show on television among adults 18-49. Last night's episode outperformed everything else on television in this key demographic, including Sunday Night Football, by over 2.5 million adults 18-49. With time-shifted playback, the season five premiere should exceed 22 million viewers.
"It's a Dead man's party. Who could ask for more?" said Charlie Collier, AMC president. "Enormous thanks to our friends and executive producers Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Greg Nicotero - who also directed last night's terrific premiere - Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Tom Luse and all of their fellow producers, cast and crew for everything they do to make the #1 show on television such a unique and incredible experience for the fans. 'The Walking Dead' is one of those increasingly rare shows today that can command a live audience not significantly cannibalized by time-shifted viewing. Who would have thought that cannibalized television could be curtailed by cannibal-ized television?"
Key Nielsen Highlights for the season five premiere of "The Walking Dead"
9 pm airing - 8.2 HH rating with 17.3 million viewers
9 pm airing - 8.7 rating with 11.0 million Adults 18-49
9 pm airing - 8.3 rating with 9.9 million Adults 25-54
Key Nielsen Highlights for the season four premiere of "Talking Dead"
10 pm airing - 3.4 HH rating with 6.9 million viewers
10 pm airing - 3.5 rating with 4.5 million Adults 18-49
10 pm airing - 3.4 rating with 4.0 million Adults 25-54
Source: Nielsen Media Research fast nationals (US ratings), L+SD.
The previous ratings record for an episode of "The Walking Dead" was 16.1 million total viewers and 10.4 million viewers 18-49 for the season four premiere, live/same day. With seven days of DVR playback included, the season four premiere delivered 21.1 million total viewers and 13.9 million adults 18-49, becoming the most highly-rated episode in cable television history.
"It's a Dead man's party. Who could ask for more?" said Charlie Collier, AMC president. "Enormous thanks to our friends and executive producers Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Greg Nicotero - who also directed last night's terrific premiere - Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Tom Luse and all of their fellow producers, cast and crew for everything they do to make the #1 show on television such a unique and incredible experience for the fans. 'The Walking Dead' is one of those increasingly rare shows today that can command a live audience not significantly cannibalized by time-shifted viewing. Who would have thought that cannibalized television could be curtailed by cannibal-ized television?"
Key Nielsen Highlights for the season five premiere of "The Walking Dead"
9 pm airing - 8.2 HH rating with 17.3 million viewers
9 pm airing - 8.7 rating with 11.0 million Adults 18-49
9 pm airing - 8.3 rating with 9.9 million Adults 25-54
Key Nielsen Highlights for the season four premiere of "Talking Dead"
10 pm airing - 3.4 HH rating with 6.9 million viewers
10 pm airing - 3.5 rating with 4.5 million Adults 18-49
10 pm airing - 3.4 rating with 4.0 million Adults 25-54
Source: Nielsen Media Research fast nationals (US ratings), L+SD.
The previous ratings record for an episode of "The Walking Dead" was 16.1 million total viewers and 10.4 million viewers 18-49 for the season four premiere, live/same day. With seven days of DVR playback included, the season four premiere delivered 21.1 million total viewers and 13.9 million adults 18-49, becoming the most highly-rated episode in cable television history.
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