February 13, 2012 01:11 PM PDT

The Walking Dead Returns to Record Ratings

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The Walking Dead is very much alive and kicking, resuming Season 2 this Sunday night with tallies that broke all-time records for a basic cable drama in key demos, including 5.4 million viewers in the coveted 18-49 category.

The AMC drama also broke historical marks by drawing 4.4 million adults in the 25-54 range.

The previous record holder on both counts was The Walking Dead‘s own Season 2 opener, which was improved upon by 12 and 6 percent, respectively.

All told, the midseason premiere’s 9 o’clock airing delivered 8.1 million total viewers, while for the night the show amassed an audience of 10.1 million across three viewings.

Leading out of TWD, the premiere of Kevin Smith’s Comic Book Men held onto 2 million total viewers, with 1.3 mil falling into the 18-49 category.

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Tags: The Walking Dead

Comments (17)

I hate to be one of those people, but I think you mean Season 3, Matt.
Comment by Isaac – February 13, 2012 01:34 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- Nevermind. Felt like a whole new season, so much time has gone by. LOL
  Comment by Isaac – February 13, 2012 01:41 PM PDT Reply To This Post
  - It seems like it has only been a few weeks since the last episode in November.
    Comment by Sg.Grant – February 13, 2012 03:48 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Its still season 2. There was just a very long mid-season break.
Comment by Dave – February 13, 2012 01:36 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- My bad! LOL. It does feel like it was forever.
  Comment by Isaac – February 13, 2012 01:41 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Absolutely amazing…wow. Given the Grammys being on, plus the fact that it gets better ratings than about 90% of network TV…
Comment by Alex – February 13, 2012 01:37 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- Now if it would only go back to being good!
  Comment by KevyB – February 13, 2012 04:59 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Yeah it’s season 2 still, same as before. It’s just called a hiatus, it was only 2.5 months. Get it right. Season 3 isn’t until October
Comment by Cameron – February 13, 2012 01:43 PM PDT Reply To This Post
It was a whole lot better than that soap opera you had going on during the first half of season two, now if the writers can stay on track the final episodes should be great. Hey an idea , bump off ricks wife …she’s too whiny,then the black guy cause he’s useless , and last the redneck woman who lost her kid ….useless . Give Glenn more airtime other than being walker bait , oh an give rick a good kick in the head, reality wake up . Old world gone.
Comment by Bubba – February 13, 2012 01:57 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- Speaking of ‘a whole lot’…you need a whole lot more than just humans bashing zombies for the show to work. It’s called character development and plot.
  And, as Kirkman said, if there hadn’t been a hiatus, the first half would have worked better as a build up to the last half.
  Great job to all those involved with the series…terrific numbers, terrific show!
  Comment by Linden – February 13, 2012 03:25 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Yay! I guess enough of those who said they were done with the show either changed their minds or quite a few people replaced them… Either way, I’m glad the show is back and doing so well!
Comment by Winnie – February 13, 2012 02:51 PM PDT Reply To This Post
Or the show could actually write interesting stuff for the characters instead of them just taking up space and/or being bumped off…
Comment by faith. – February 13, 2012 03:30 PM PDT Reply To This Post
I’m shocked that people didn’t quit watching The Talking Dead after the abysmal first half of the season.
Comment by Joe – February 13, 2012 05:33 PM PDT Reply To This Post
- I see where a talk show about a single TV show might seem a little weird. But Chris Hardwick is likeable enough. And he has on at least one guest each week who is involved in the show, so we get a little more background, insight, and previews!
  Comment by topoopon – February 14, 2012 04:12 PM PDT Reply To This Post
If you dont like the show, then dont watch it. Trolls.
Comment by Drew – February 13, 2012 05:46 PM PDT Reply To This Post
I love The Walking Dead, it’s my 2nd fav show on tv (sorry but True Blood’s in first place). I tuned in to watch the midseason premiere and was not disappointed. I watched the New Years marathon that they had, and when they did the marathon this past weekend, leading up to the premiere I watched that too. I am hopelessly addicted. I told my boyfriend if I was there in the zombie apocalypse, my 3 wingmen would be Rick, Glenn, & Daryl. Carl could come too, but those three are the ones I want with me when there’s walkers all around. With them I’d have a chance. Hoping T-Dog is able to show case himself a little more. Would like to see him have more opportunity to help the group out even more. But to me, Shane has got to go. He’s a powder keg waiting to blow, and I’d like to see that nipped in the bud before there are dire consequences. He’s getting to unstable.
Comment by RS – February 14, 2012 12:28 AM PDT Reply To This Post
Awesome the ratings are way up. Now heres hoping AMC will raise the budget back up where it belongs!
Comment by Sandon – February 14, 2012 03:09 AM PDT Reply To This Post