The Walking Dead - Gene Page/AMC
Given that last year’s premiere benefited from the Negan cliffhanger, this season’s “The Walking Dead” premiere had no prayer of matching its monster ratings.
Indeed, it did not.
Sunday’s eighth season opener also trailed last year’s season finale in the adults 18-49 demographic (but led in total viewership).
According to live+same-day data posted by Showbuzz, Sunday’s “The Walking Dead” drew a 5.0 adults 18-49 rating and averaged 11.44 million overall viewers.
Last year’s premiere drew an 8.4 rating and 17.03 million viewers, while the finale posted a 5.4 in the demo and 11.31 million viewership.
Despite the year-over-year decline, the episode remained a dominant ratings force. It was by far Sunday’s #1 cable program in adults 18-49 and overall viewership.
It was Sunday’s night’s #2 overall program in the demo; only Sunday Night Football fared better.
— “The Walking Dead” led into “Talking Dead,” which drew a 2.1 rating and 4.90 million viewers.