On the one hand, the sixth season finale of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” posted big week-to-week gains in adults 18-49 and total viewership.
On the other hand, the numbers were both down from those posted by the fifth season finale.
Showbuzz notes that on a live+same-day basis, Sunday’s show drew a 6.9 adults 18-49 rating and 14.19 million total viewers. The numbers markedly best the 5.8 and 12.38 million drawn by last week’s episode but trail the 8.2 and 15.78 million garnered by the fifth season finale.
Worth noting: this year’s finale aired against the Academy Of Country Music Awards. While not a spectacular performer (2.3, 11.20 million), it potentially took a slight bite out of “The Walking Dead.”
Slight is key; “The Walking Dead” has proven decently resilient against high-profile awards shows. If anything, CBS may be inclined to blame its weakened ACM Awards ratings on “The Walking Dead.”
Sunday’s 93-minute “TWD” led into “Talking Dead,” which Showbuzz says drew a 3.1 and 6.38 million. Last year’s post-finale “Talking Dead” drew a 3.9 and 7.53 million.