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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The episode actually renewed my interest in the show. I was bored last year.
ReplyDeleteI was gonna predict 8.8 as well. Damn, why didn't I? Awesome stuff.
ReplyDeleteYES YES! So well deserved!! This is mind blowing!
ReplyDeleteHOLY SHIT! Freaking insane ratings and broke another record! So damn proud of this show :)
ReplyDeleteTWD > all
ReplyDeleteThey are back bitches!
YES! Now for Emmy to notice...
ReplyDeleteThe episode was amazing. I knew they were gonna be kicking ass in the ratings department and I'm so glad they did. Welcome Back, show. I missed you!
ReplyDeleteWOO-HOO!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat premiere deserved those huge ratings! It was such a great episode and a great start to the season!
THIS IS FREAKING AMAZING! IT WAS A GREAT PREIMERE! LOVE THIS SHOW!
ReplyDeleteI dropped this show half way through S3 but even when I did watch it I was just baffled as to why it was so popular.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the show, but it's great to see a show with such high ratings.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteThe episode was spectacular, these ratings are well deserved.
ReplyDeleteGot to say, the premiere was amazing. So, this ratings record seems even more sweeter.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised.
ReplyDeleteI never expected this high. I knew it'd be good but this is out of this world. Last night's episode had more action in that one hour than almost all of last season. I just hope they maintain and keep that pace moving. Minus the gore of the first few minutes, it was a great character episode. For Carol especially but also Daryl and Rick. With the surprise at the end, I expect next weeks numbers to be amazing too.
ReplyDeleteNow this show know how too make a KICK ASS! Season Premiere it was just Amazing too watch.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the other 7 billion people on earth.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised either.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't get the attraction to this show.....I am baffled.
ReplyDeleteYeah baby!
ReplyDeleteZombies are the in thing I guess...
ReplyDeleteTotally. From all the records TWD broke, this might be the most well-deserved.
ReplyDeleteAnd you felt the need to share this with the world then why exactly? The show is the best thing on television, including the usual heavy weight contenders on the major premium channels. It is the most captivating, interesting, intense show out there. The actors are phenomenal, and the writers and producers are outstanding. There is a reason this is the number 1 show on television. Considering its a basic cable channel, and not a major network, that is a tremendous achievement. I'm not sure what you look for in a television show, but there is nothing not to like about TWD.
ReplyDeleteLast season did have its slow moments - I agree. The prison flu outbreak, while a great performance by Scott Wilson (and his swan song as he was offed just after), was drawn out too long. However they did follow up with a 3 episode arc for the Governor that was tremendous from start to finish. And, even though the groups separation was a little slow here and there, it had some great character insight, and seeing Daryl and Beth's journey and connection, Tyreese and Carol's reckoning and misery, and Michonne, Rick and Carls reunion and further bonding, was worth it to me. Then, this episode kick-starts the hell out of season 5 with nothing but action from the very start. Really looking forward to the next 15 episodes!
ReplyDeleteIt's not about walkers (the 'z' word isn't allowed). It's not some zombie B-movie packed into a TV show. It's about survival and the characters in the show. The characters relationships .... their paths and their survival. The world has ended, and they have walkers threatening their lives every minute of every day. But, worse than walkers are other humans who are also trying to survive.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tuned in for episode 1 several years ago I didn't know what to expect. I thought it would most likely be a horror TV show that focuses on the zombies and the scare factor. But that is not even close to what this show is about - which is why it's the number 1 show on television.
Wow, that's amazing.
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I really feel like posts like this completely miss the point of discussions and opinions on tv ratings and such. You just attacked this person on a ratings post who stated that they can't quite understand why this show is so popular. Then, you give an inordinate amount of bluster and adoration for TWD without any basis except that it is popular therefore there is nothing to dislike about this show, and it's the best thing on tv.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely entitled to your opinion, and I am really happy that you're enjoying TWD and its success, but do not mistake your opinion for the "ultimate" or "correct" view.
I've watched this show since the beginning, and it has frustrated me as a viewer. It has had a handful of episodes that are truly entertaining and fantastic (S5 premiere is one of them for sure) but in between those episodes, there's a serious issue with the writing, direction, plot, etc. where they drag things out too long for no apparent reason. (Season 4 almost had me drop the show when they continued the Governor storyline way past its welcome.)
Now from a ratings standpoint, I've always been excited to hear what kind of record it would set. The S5 premiere's 8.7 rating is phenomenal. I think that given the circumstances of the episode, next week should hold those numbers well. I hope that this season lives up to its promise, and keeps things at a better level this year.
Just be aware that there are others out there that don't have to have the same opinion as you. If I wanted, I could go on for days about what I do and don't like about a tv show ... Doesn't mean that I'm 100% correct and you have ot agree with what I say.