The Walking Dead Ratings Rise, Talking Dead Hits Season High

With several deaths and coming off the best-reviewed episode in years, The Walking Dead saw ratings rise significantly after a slight drop last week, with 8% growth in audience and key demographics. A 6.8 rating and 13.1 million total viewers should easily make it the best rated scripted show on TV this week once again, continuing its strong trend.

Sunday Night Football bounced back with a huge 7.6 demo rating which will make it tough to beat in that category, but the overall was a 6.9. That means once Live+3, with DVR and on-demand ratings, is factored in, The Walking Dead should be the top rated show overall on TV.

The episode has certainly been talked about more than others in recent weeks, and even going back to last season. Buzz has mostly centered on the maybe death of a major character, despite several supporting characters definitely dying in the episode. AMC even released the controversial and talked-about scene officially on Youtube, letting fans watch it over and over again.

Companion series Talking Dead, the after-show that lets fans commiserate over deaths and hear from actors, celebrities, and host Chris Hardwick on the night's events, hit a season high with 6.2 million total viewers, up very nearly 50% in key demo. Fans were anxiously watching to see if the above character was included in the "In Memoriam" section of the show - which he was not.