'Fear the Walking Dead' Season 1 smashes cable ratings record

The Wrap
October 9, 2015 at 6:29PM
A scene from "Fear the Walking Dead," which is set before the events of "The Walking Dead."
A scene from "Fear the Walking Dead," which is set before the events of "The Walking Dead." (Randy Salas/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

"Fear the Walking Dead" posted the highest delayed viewing ratings for any cable show since Nielsen began measuring live-plus-three ratings in 2005.

In its first season of six episodes, "Fear the Walking Dead" averaged 11.2 million total viewers, 7.3 million adults 18-49 and 7.2 million adults 25-54 in live viewing plus three days of DVR playback.

The previous title-holder was AMC's "Better Call Saul," which averaged 5.9 million total viewers, 3.7 million in the 18-49 deom and 3.6 in 25-54.

The Season 1 finale Oct. 4 delivering 10.1 million viewers, 6.5 million adults 18-49 and 6.6 million adults 25-54.

Since Nielsen began measuring live-plus-three, "Fear the Walking Dead" ranks as the No. 3 first season of any show across broadcast and cable. In both 18-49 and 25-54, AMC is now the home of the top tree cable series debuts, with "Fear" leading "The Walking Dead" at No. 2 and "Better Call Saul" at No. 3.

Amid the good ratings news, AMC has ordered "Walking Dead" companion talk show "Talking Dead" to accompany every episode of "Fear the Walking Dead's" second season.

"The Walking Dead" returns for its sixth season on Sunday, Oct. 11.

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