The numbers are in and AMC has claimed another spot among the top rankings on cable ratings.
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Fear the Walking Dead debuted its Season 3 premiere in a back-to-back two episode, two hour format on Sunday night to 4.7 million total viewers, with 2.7 million of them sitting in the key 18-49 demographic in the Nielsen live+3 ratings.
This is a considerable uptick from the just over three million viewers who tuned in to the Season 2 finale in 2016.
By comparison to The Walking Dead‘s most recent episode, the numbers for Fear the Walking Dead equal about a third of the eyeballs which watched The Walking Dead‘s Season 7 finale on April 2, 2017. However, the older sibling did nab 17 million viewers for its brutal Season 7 premiere in October of 2017.
With Fear the Walking Dead‘s return, fans were shocked by a main character’s death early on in the second hour. Such a move prompted detailed conversations and excitement online, possibly giving the series a chance to build on its strong start to Season 3. Going forward, the survivors will continue their journey at Broke Jaw Ranch, with characters like Strand and Ofelia offering a look at other corners of this apocalyptic world, having separated from the group late in Season 2.
“That Fear the Walking Dead returns for season three as the #2 cable drama and #3 cable series overall is both gratifying and a fitting tribute to the many people who make this show possible,” said Charlie Collier, president of AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios. “That, of course, starts with Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson and so many producers, cast and crew and, always most important, the fans who join us south of the border each week. Welcome back!”
Including The Walking Dead, AMC show’s round out the top five on cable, with Better Call Saul and Into the Badlands rounding them out.
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Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on AMC. The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season in October of 2017. The first trailer is expected to arrive at San Diego Comic Con in July. For complete coverage and insider info all off-season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.