THE WALKING DEAD Season 4 Premiere Smashes Records With 16.1 Million Viewers

THE WALKING DEAD Season 4 Premiere Smashes Records With 16.1 Million Viewers

Last night saw the return of AMC's hugely popular zombie show to our screens, and the debut season 4 episode smashed the previous record held by the season 3 finale last year. Read on for the official numbers and the press release in full..

By MarkCassidy - Oct 14, 2013 11:10 AM EST
Filed Under: The Walking Dead

You just can't keep a good Walker down. Despite some fans feeling that the show has "jumped the shark", The Walking Dead hit a new record with an astonishing 16.1 million total viewers. To give you an idea of last year's numbers, the Season 3 premiere had 10.9 million viewers, and the show hit its all-time record of 12.4 million total viewers with the season finale.



AMC’s The Walking Dead returned last night for its fourth season, delivering the highest ratings of any episode in series history. The season four premiere was watched by 16.1 million total viewers and 10.4 million adults aged 18-49. Last night’s ratings confirm The Walking Dead continues to be the #1 show on all of television among the coveted 18-49 demographic. 2013/14 season to date, last night’s premiere ranks as the #1 telecast in adults 18-49, outperforming all programs including primetime NFL football. With time-shifted playback, last night’s premiere should exceed 20 million viewers.

“Sincere thanks to the fans, who have welcomed The Walking Dead back for its fourth season with the highest-rated episode in the show's history,” said AMC President Charlie Collier. “We could not be more proud of this show and everyone on both sides of the camera who work so hard to give life to this story of character, leadership and survival. It starts with series creator, writer and executive producer Robert Kirkman, show runner and executive producer Scott Gimple and the director of last night’s episode (and the man behind the make-up) executive producer Greg Nicotero, their fellow executive producers and an extraordinary cast and crew who are giving their all every day. So clearly, thanks to them, the dead have never been more alive.”

The previous record for an episode of The Walking Dead was 12.4 million total viewers and 8.1 million viewers 18-49 for the season three finale.
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Supes17
Supes17 - 10/14/2013, 11:51 AM
Holy shit!!!
LucasMend
LucasMend - 10/14/2013, 12:03 PM
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
TheBeard
TheBeard - 10/14/2013, 12:15 PM
well deserved


I would have just shot the crazy women in the woods, in that situation no way [frick]in way i'm going with her. Its obviously a set-up, also that zombies falling through the roof shit was awesome. Can't [frick]in wait for next week to see who the dead guy/zombie in the shower eats.
HulkbusterNYC
HulkbusterNYC - 10/14/2013, 12:15 PM
Great episode to start off the season..
thewonderer
thewonderer - 10/14/2013, 12:17 PM
It was subtle but I'm pretty sure Rick gauged the woman was crazy a scene or two before the campsite. It was another experience for Rick to accept.
TheBeard
TheBeard - 10/14/2013, 12:20 PM
also

JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 10/14/2013, 12:34 PM
Great episode last night
G
G - 10/14/2013, 12:37 PM
Any theories as to what's going on with the pigs, and that kid in the shower room?

There's supposed to be some kind of "new threat" (or, "new walker" that can move faster?). So, I think that this "swine flu" is causing some kind of mutation in the "walker disease", so that people can now turn while they're still alive? I don't think that the kid in the shower room died at all. I think he turned walker while he was still living (Walker v2.0). Making these new ones stronger & faster, due to no decay. That's my theory, anyway.
gaikinger
gaikinger - 10/14/2013, 12:37 PM
lots of potential expendable new cast members....like a red shirt convention on a star trek episode.
gaikinger
gaikinger - 10/14/2013, 12:38 PM
Martian....do you at least get a coffee break from being a deuchenozzle troll?
Enphlieuwince
Enphlieuwince - 10/14/2013, 12:39 PM
@MAC, so you know why ppl love Daryl then. Calling ppl who enjoy the character stupid is a real bitch move. Most of your posts as of late lead me to believe that you're on your cycle so I'll overlook it.
Superman007
Superman007 - 10/14/2013, 12:39 PM
and thats just the "live" numbers... lets wait for the +3 DVR and stuff...
JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 10/14/2013, 12:44 PM
16 million viewers is big numbers

Especially for a show that came around the same time football games was on
gaikinger
gaikinger - 10/14/2013, 12:55 PM
i saw the first few episodes of breaking bad and felt kinda meh about it....might have to give it another try.
Gary8264
Gary8264 - 10/14/2013, 12:56 PM
Zombie in the shower gives a whole new meanin' to not droppin' the soap.
Gamera623
Gamera623 - 10/14/2013, 1:05 PM
Good season opener.

I feel the show shines best when its not emulating the comics. The comics and show are both great.
The only time I dislike the show is when the writers take the comic storylines and characters and twist them.

Everything in the season 4 opener was original material. They need to keep that up because it was awesome.

Over the course of the show the writers should slowly kill comic characters when the story calls for it (no rush) but stop introducing comic characters.
Im sad they are adding Abraham. Becaue you know he wont be anything like comic book Abraham so why bother?
thewonderer
thewonderer - 10/14/2013, 1:20 PM
I'm getting so [frick]ing sick of these fans of game of thrones and breaking bad adamantly declaring that because of how good they are, other shows don't deserve any attention at all

I wish breaking bad for these numbers, but I'm not going to claim walking dead doesn't deserve them. Why? Because it is a good show that a ton of hard work goes into.

This show pissed me the hell off with its last finale but I've come to accept the stupid aspects of the show for enjoyments sake

I love Arrow, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead. It is possible people so get off the high horse and enjoy the fact that so much tv is readily available

And MAC needs to be banned. Hates on every single thing I swear
murdy511
murdy511 - 10/14/2013, 1:24 PM
I don't think Patrick or the pig died of any new mutation of the zombie virus. So far there haven't been any zombified animals, so it's unlikely we are gonna see zombified pigs waddling around. Odds are since all the people having been living in close quarters, in not the best conditions (good given the circumstances) that the new threat is simply another disease that is lethal. Everyone becomes a walker when they die, so Patrick died of the other disease an then turned. An article I read put forth that the Ebola virus is the new sickness. It causes fever, nausea, and external bleeding, all things Patrick had. Plus it is a disease that can jump from animal to human. Just a thought to put out there.
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 10/14/2013, 1:29 PM
Insulting people for their opinions, MAC? Classy. Real classy. How about you grow up and realize people see the world differently than you?


I'm getting so [frick]ing sick of these fans of game of thrones and breaking bad adamantly declaring that because of how good they are, other shows don't deserve any attention at all- thewonderer

Same here man. I love all three shows about the same, but let me be honest, I enjoy Walking Dead the most. I get bored with GoT and BB a lot, though the stellerness of the rest makes up for it. That almost never happens with Walking Dead. People who claim that others are idiots because they haev a different opinion have their heads up their own asses.


novaprime
novaprime - 10/14/2013, 1:35 PM
Wow Greatness No Comp!!!
ekrolo2
ekrolo2 - 10/14/2013, 1:48 PM
The premiere was pretty good but some things bothered me like the Rick stuff. The sub plot with the woman felt like it was just there to reinforce the idea no you cannot go back after you do shit like this but "Clear" did it WAY better. The woman also felt like a waste opportunity, I was expecting Rick to be kidnapped or cut off from the others for a while so we could really see them manage shit without him.

I also don't like that Rick is becoming an idealistic idiot in a world like this, I for one loved the "Ricktatorship" in season 3 because he was finally doing what had to be done in order to survive. His idealism is whats caused him the most trouble because like Carl said in the finale of season 3, if he had just killed people like Shane, Andrew and the Guvernor, a LOT less people would have died and a lot less crap would have happened.
bestintheworld
bestintheworld - 10/14/2013, 2:25 PM
@blackandyellow

And I, for one, will be watching DVR'd Walking Dead after my boys slap the snot out of said Colts.
ralfinader
ralfinader - 10/14/2013, 2:32 PM
"Despite A FEW VOCAL fans feeling that the show has "jumped the shark", The Walking Dead hit a new record with an astonishing 16.1 million total viewers."

Fixed! Seriously, this show is simply the best thing on free cable today, and those numbers certainly agree that it is a tiny vocal minority pitching complaints this show's way.
superotherside
superotherside - 10/14/2013, 2:35 PM
I started watching this show recently finished all the seasons and just watched Season 4 last night. Great show. Love it.
JoeMomma29
JoeMomma29 - 10/14/2013, 2:54 PM
Great way to start off the season! We have Arrow and The Walking Dead to look forward to every week.
CCR
CCR - 10/14/2013, 3:14 PM
Great start and looking forward to all they talked about on Talking Dead. Glad most of you liked it, was afraid I'd have to read a bunch of nasty comments, but so far looks pretty positive, which is kinda unusual around here :P
Whiteandgold
Whiteandgold - 10/14/2013, 3:25 PM
Walking dead > shield
thetrojan
thetrojan - 10/14/2013, 5:10 PM
a brilliant opener.
I was really surprised,expected just some more soap style drama but hey,i may watch it again... and i don't do that...
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 10/14/2013, 6:38 PM
Good it deserves it. This episode started off great for the Season.
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 10/14/2013, 7:23 PM
The premiere was so good. The zombies falling through the ceiling was the best part. I am still wondering what is with these new zomnies with bleeding eyes. I am thinking they are a super zombie.
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