The Walking Dead season five premiere on Sunday night beat its own cable ratings record to score a whopping 17.3 million viewers. From what I understand of TV ratings, that’s just the people who watched it before 3am Monday morning. When you account for all the DVR viewing that took place the next day and beyond, reports claim that viewership could easily reach 22 million.
This makes The Walking Dead premiere the most watched non-sports cable show in history. If 17 million people are watching that means that 5% of the US population (316 million) tuned in to the Walking Dead premiere on the first day. Yes! Here’s more on the numbers and what they mean:
The season five premiere of “The Walking Dead,” which attracted a monstrous 17.3 million viewers to AMC, [was] the show’s best performance to date. 11 million of the viewers were in the key 18- to 49-year-old demographic.
The ratings record was all the more notable because the episode was up against NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”
Football is perceived to be must-see TV, the kind of event programming that should be seen live — but for a lot of people, that description fits “The Walking Dead,” too. AMC president Charlie Collier made that point in a celebratory statement when the ratings came in on Monday afternoon.
“‘The Walking Dead’ is one of those increasingly rare shows today that can command a live audience not significantly cannibalized by time-shifted viewing,” Collier said, giving a wink to those who watched the prior night’s bloody premiere.
Still, time-shifting is a factor, as it is for all scripted series; the cable channel projects that once digital video recorder viewership is counted in the ratings, Sunday’s episode will exceed 22 million viewers.
When the series was introduced on Halloween four years ago, it garnered about 5.3 million viewers. At the time, that was a record for AMC; “it’s a good day to be dead,” Collier said when the ratings came in.
Since then, the show has just kept growing and growing. Sunday’s season five premiere brought in almost two million more viewers than last year’s finale.Ratings expert Joe Adalian of New York magazine said the episode ranked as cable television’s most popular telecast ever, excluding sports telecasts. (Cable’s prior record-holder was the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 2.”)
AMC has already announced season 6 for The Walking Dead, and it’s rumored that they’re planning for 12 seasons. We’ll see how that pans out, but it seems likely given how popular this show is. There’s also a sort-of spinoff coming in 2015, to feature an entirely different cast also surviving the zombie apocalypse. Given how entertaining the various Walking Dead webisodes have been, I bet this spinoff will be a success. The show will be executive produced by Walking Dead’s Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert. The showrunner will be Dave Erickson, a producer on Sons of Anarchy. Advanced details reveal that, like Walking Dead, the spinoff will be character driven of course.
EW has extensive Walking Dead coverage if you’re interested. They have interviews with actors Lauren Cohan (Maggie), Steven Yeun (Glenn), and Chad Coleman (Tyreese), as well as series creator Robert Kirkman and showrunner Scott Gimple explaining how the premiere got made. They also have the badass storyboard for how Carol shot up Terminus and saved everyone.
I can’t believe so many people watch this crap show.
Well believe it, it’s true! What are you doing commenting on ‘this crap show’ first anyway! Lol….
LOL okay sure then. This show is fantastic and when Carol and Daryl hugged. I think the squealing that took place across the US was enough that all dogs everywhere heard it.
omg that moment, and Rick seeing Judith… I legit teared up and I’m not ashamed.
@MissMary yes Rick seeing Judith and his face was wonderful. I even loved Carl for a sec there 🙂
Daryl and Carol’s hug was amazing 🙂
The show got so much better with time. I used to dread watching it (my bf and i watch a bunch of tv shows together) but things started turning around last season and it’s even much better than Homeland now.
Agreed!! I still don’t agree with people who think it’s the best show ever(Breaking Bad, The Wire) but it has really blossomed and developed into something dark and awesome.
@apsutter I agree, The Walking Dead won’t reach that type of perfection, i don’t think, but it is really good. I think people who write it off are either people who watched it and gave up after season 2 or people who just don’t like zombie-related movies/tv shows anyway. I don’t, but i’m glad i gave TWD a chance and stuck with it because it’s getting really good.
Also, The Wire is THE best tv show EVER. Season 4 of The Wire alone is a testament to that.
I tried to watch The Wire this weekend and maybe I’m jaded by fast paced TV but I found it so boring and I was disappointed in myself because it has so many actors I love. I felt like I was watching a really detailed episode of Law and Order that was not going to end for 60 episodes.
Having said that, I usually have good taste in TV shows such as TWD.
Everytime I hear people talk about BB and the wire and how great they were I remember that family guy skit. Hypnotizing Peter into thinking those 2 shows are the best ever and giving the urge to tell everyone how these 2 shows are the greatest.
I watched the wire and bb. Both were really good. Best ever? How about best so far for those catagories.
Scott Gimple has turned it for the better. Season 2 & 3 were just blah…
You are simply in the minority here Jen. And why start trolling? It’s clearly a hit with critics and viewers. It’s getting better with time and shows no signs of slowing down or peaking.
Curious. Could you list the type of programs you’re interested in watching?
I love TWD, and I’ve never been a fan of horror or gore, but this show is great. I can understand why some people don’t care for it but it’s not crap. It’s well-cast, well-written and well produced. The special effects and make-up are phenomenal but the amazing ensemble cast has blown me away. So many great characters are dead but wow, they had impact, I love the show and will watch it as long as they keep it on air.
Steven’s last name is Yeun. Not Yeung. I should know, he’s my imaginary boyfriend. 🙂
Fixed sorry!
It’s cool! 🙂
I have to watch it live because my friends are texting me “AAAA did you just see that?” all during the episode! I watched it live, I watched the Talking Dead, then I watched the encore episode. This is my only tv show other than the Mindy Project. People who say this show is “past its prime” are soooo wrong. It’s better than ever. Carol is one of the most interesting and complex characters I’ve ever seen.
Agreed!
Agreed.
I wish we could get the Talking Dead here, can’t even view it online, it’s region blocked.
It seems to be such a good non filler after show in that they actually go in debth into scenes and situations.
Sometimes what TD covers is also covered in the story sync webpage. Not everything of course. Just as the show goes and you have questions about scenes or want trivia to pass the time on commercial breaks.
Thanks Florc!!
Have your tried Cloak? It’s an apple app but I am sure they have it for both Apple and PCs. With this app you can give your computer a different IP address from a variety of different countries.
It’s how I watch BBC iPlayer. The app is free but you have to pay for the gigs you stream $5.99 , $7.99 and $14.99 depending on which plan you choose. The first 5Gs are free.
And I love The Walking Dead. The premiere was all kinds of awesome.
I think it’s on iTunes, Lindy. Sure Sixlet Major watches it.
Ooooooh thanks for the tip!
Bet stupid Irish iTunes doesn’t have it…
There’s a podcast, so no visual…dammit!!
Bums! Sorry for getting your hopes up. I’ll ask Sixlet Major when he gets in.
I completely agree! My husband and I watch it with our teen-age boys. Yes, it’s gory but we bond so much over that show. It is great fun.
We were gifted with Season 1 a few years ago, it sat on the book shelf for a year or two and one snowy, very cold day we were bored so I popped it in the DVD player, wow. But, season 3 had too much blood and gore. We had another break last week we watched season 4 on Netflix in time for season five. We had to wait a week before we could watch it on our apple tv with iTunes. I love both Carol and Darryl so their reunion was worth a tear or two.
They are coming for them Big Bang Theory ratings. I bet next season it will be 20 million as I have a suspicion the finale this season will be a cliffhanger with Negan!
12 seasons seem excesive. As much as I like the show, I think the story should be heading to an end.
I have to agree. If the show goes to 12 seasons it will without question jump the shark. The show is still really good now. It should go out on a high note.
Hahaha. Don’t ever read the comics. I’ve been reading them since 2005/2006. I have a major love/hate for Robert kirkman and he will drag things on forever!!!!!!!
Great thing about the story is it’s set to go on as long as anyone would like. Like the game and webisodes. The stories are spiderwebbed together.
And not all stories are interesting.
12 seasons might not be so bad. Unless it’s like the simpsons where people are pleading to let the show go out with some dignity well into it’s 20’s seasons. Then it’s too much.
With their habit of killing off characters, it doesn’t make sense to make it go on that long. We would have an entirely new cast. What’s the point of that? Just stick with the spin off.
Besides, I couldn’t imagine the actors staying on board that long. I think it’s a very grueling show to shoot.
I’m looking forward to this season mostly because Carol & the group are back together and I cannot wait until they find out about Eugene. I am afraid I know nothing of Negan
Find out what about Eugene??? (I wont tell)
I just watched this last night and it was by far one of the best episodes since its earlier ones.
I was losing interest last season but now Im back into it. I can’t recall anything with Negan either.
“until they find out about Eugene”
Lalalalalalalala I can’t hear you!!!
*peeks through fingers*
Wwhat’s going on with Eugene? Spoil me, please!
My husband and I were one of those millions who tuned in….we LOVE this show! I will say, the first 10 minutes had me sick to my stomach because of all the blood…but that has never happened to me before. Little ass kicker is getting so cute!!!! IF you want to start watching WD, start from season one! 🙂 The fact that they aren’t scared to kill off anyone, and the suspense, makes this an unpredictable-addicting story line! PS I want my husband to be Daryl Dixon for Halloween!!!! Ha! Cross bow & a mullet!
Yeah my friend and I lost our minds because were were like OMG! Those people were awful and I was so scared that Glen was just going to be done in that moment. I was clenching my hands together so tight. Only this show would have you feeling a moment’s sadness for that town though when you saw the end. I did feel bad but then thought back to that room with all of the stuffed animals and I wanted Carol to let those walkers loose on that woman again.
My husband is going to be Daryl! I am Michone. My oldest teenage son is the Governor and my second is Merle. He even shaved his head! The little ones (who don’t watch) are Rick and the Zombie Girl in season one. I’m pretty sure this is going to be our Christmas card. Lol
Totally awesome, MomofFour! Have fun
My little boy was Daryl for Halloween last year. Leather vest with the angel wings and everything. I even carved a Daryl Dixon jack-o-lantern. It was awesome.
I dropped it after finishing season 3. It just got soooo boring.
Apparantly AMC is being such a cheap basically and do not give this show enough budget to hire quality writers and all that.
The writing has really improved since they changed showrunners last season.
i must say, character development sucks. the writing is so bad that i don’t care about most of the characters enough to remember their names. they once did an episode all about that arrow dude and the blonde chick! i skipped through it because i just wasn’t interested. can’t even remember any names except for rick and carl, oh and carol.
I don’t watch this show, it looks too gross for me, but it’s impressive any show manages to get those numbers these days, especially a cable show.
AMC is going to cling to that one for dear life – Breaking Bad is done, Mad Men ends this year, and I don’t think any of their new stuff really hit.
Hell on Wheels is really good, not sure how popular it is though. I like it.
My husband loves Hell on Wheels. I tried a couple of times but I just can’t get into it.
This premier was on point and pure action from start to finish.
Hell, there was dust in my eye by the end 😉
The can easily run this show for at least ten seasons: Georgia to DC is a long way post apocalypse, the comics give them plenty of m material.
Also, I don’t know what this says about me, but Rick Grimes killing people makes me feel warm and bubbly inside.
The new show runner is on point and the reintroduction of Morgan only makes it better!
There was dust in my eye too – and I think a wad of popcorn got stuck in my throat also.
Happy to have Rick REALLY back (got the warm-fuzzies here too) – and Carol is my HERO. What a badass… if there is only one person who will survive this apocalypse, it’s HER.
It warmed the cockles of my cold heart too to see Rick unleash. Started bawling when Darryl ran to hug Carole, and again when Rick & Carl were reunited with baby Judith.
My favourite show ever in the history of TV! Nerd fan alert!!!!! If it is ever off the air I won’t watch TV again! Please let Daryl be on it forevs, if they kill him off I will throw my TV away.
Just came here to say *DARYL*
(and please let him never get paired with Carol – its just not happening.)
I think daryl is in love with Beth right?
https://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpqmvweTTW1qgijk5o1_400.gif
I really dislike how people at comicon tried to hint that daryl was into guys. Mostly because he’s just daryl.We love crossbow daryl. Don’t bring a love interest into that. And don’t get preachy about it.
Beth and daryl are buddies. Daryl is still looking for that sense of family in those he meets. With Carol it’s odd. She’s always come off more motherly with him. No chemistry with Carol.
And Daryl/Norman imo can have chemistry with drywall.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about Carol and Daryl. I’ve felt like I was the only one who didn’t want them together. I really like their relationship, but it never stuck me as romantic/sexual. I’ve always felt it was more siblingish (now especially after seeing the sweet way he put his head on her shoulder in their very sweet reunion!), and probably one of the few real emotional relationship he has had with a woman.
It’s always seemed weird to me that so many fans ship characters on the show, like it is an ABC Family teen dramedy. It’s just not that kind of show.
@FLORC: I think the ‘Daryl is gay’ thing came about after Robert Kirkman’s comments in a recent interview that idea of making Daryl gay was tossed around at one time. Obviously not that direction they took, because it’s never been so much as hinted at on the show.
it was absolutely amazing! sry. but it just was. and i truly hope they make endless seasons! soa is quite good too, it’s getting a tat bit too violent (in a realistic, non zombie way) tho!
Thank you CB for using Cutty Wise/Tyreese as the cover picture. yum.
+1!
Tyreese was the break out star of the episode with Carol. I thought eye candy aside it’s a fitting choice. BAre hands taking on zombies? Shockingly awesome.
And when he came barrelling in in full papa bear mode and lifted that guy clear off the ground I was totally cheering.
How dare that creep threaten baby Judith and her sassy ugg/cardi combo!
He’s such a big, brawny guy it’s really no doubt he could take out a half a dozen walkers with his muscle alone. He’s a lover and a fighter!
The show really improved during season 4 (season 3 was soooo drawn out). I didn’t watch season 4 live, but after some persuading from friends, I caught up with it on Netflix and was impressed with how much it improved.
Thank you very much for the spoiler about Carol and Therminus… Thank you also for warning that there will be a spoiler in this article… Thank you for ruining an episode I have been waiting for 4 months….
Em, not to nitpick but there was a topic about this yesterday that had spoilers tags all over it.
Seriously why click into a story about an episode ratings that you havent seen and not expect people to discuss said episode and why it got those ratings?
I was 2 months behind on breaking bad season 5…know what i did? I avoided any articles or comments sections about it.
Thats why people USUALLY use the word “spoiler” in the title!!!!! I’m sorry but it was supposed to be an article about the TV ratings of the show…. And she could have AT LEAST use the word SPOILER in the beginning of the sentence, as people USUALLY do!!!!!
That’s on you dear, if you want to avoid spoilers you have to actively avoid spoilers. Don’t click on articles and read comments and expect a spoiler free zone. The thing premiered, it will be talked about extensively and spoilers will be everywhere.
That’s not on me…. The episode has aired only 2 days ago. When talking about the content of a new episode, people usually use the world SPOILER…. She could have done it in the title of the article or in the beginning of the sentence!
I usually stay away from spoilers.
But this is a site I trust and usually she says when there will be spoilers in the article!!! So as it was not indicated, I thought it was spoiler free 🙁
Seriously, it’s really sucks!!!!!!
The Walking Dead is brilliant.
Carol is a female Rambo, a beast, & always does what needs to be done. She’s not only practical, she’s unbreakable. From cooking to turning walkers into walking torches. She is a true survivor, long before their new world. The most complicated character on the show & Team Carol all the way.
Carol was like a mad Rambo dressed as Clint Eastwood from The Good, the bad and the ugly. She was pure perfection in this episode. And yes, I cried when Daryl turned and saw Carol and ran to her. Then add the reunion with Judith, Rick and Carl on top of that… I was a mess by the end of the episode. I actually rewound both reunions several times just to fully appreciate the emotions in each scene.