Hooray! For at least the first episode, AMC's The Walking Dead is a hit! THR reports that the TV show's first episode delivered 5.3 million viewers, which is pretty good considering the show doesn't have a single vampire in it. It's also the single-highest premiere for any AMC show.
Said AMC’s president Charlie Collier: "It’s a good day to be dead. We are so proud of this series, its depth of storytelling and the remarkable talent attached. As the network dedicated to bringing viewers the best stories on television, we are so pleased to have the opportunity with The Walking Dead to raise the bar within this popular genre and continue our commitment to being the home of premium television on basic cable."
Joel Stillerman, AMC’s SVP of original programming, had even more praise for a show that got great ratings on a network that signs his checks every month.
The Walking Dead is that rare piece of programming that works on so many levels. It is legitimately great storytelling that is not only highly entertaining, but incredibly thought provoking as well. People who are familiar with the comic books know what's coming, but suffice it to say, this is only the beginning of a long, intense, and powerful ride. Long live The Walking Dead.
Again, this is high praise from those that run AMC, which obviously have a vested interest in their own show. However, they also happen to be right. The Walking Dead was a huge success creatively, and now, financially as well. Congrats to all involved.
Let's hope this transfers into a second season, or that "Stagger-on role" they keep trying to give away will be a real boner of a prize.
