The Walking Dead Season 8 Premieres To 5 Year Ratings Low
The Walking Dead still impressed in its season 8 premiere, just not in the way some expected.The [...]
The Walking Dead still impressed in its season 8 premiere, just not in the way some expected.
The Walking Dead season 8 premiered to 11.4 million viewers, and 6.5 million of those were in the key demo of 18-49 (via THR). Unfortunately, that signifies a drop from the 16.4 million the season 7 premiere netted. To be fair though, the season 8 premiere doesn't yet have the plus three and plus seven-day numbers added to it.
As of right now though, the 11.4 million premiere is the lowest since season 2's premiere, which brought in 9.5 million viewers. Since that point, the series has spiked, as season 3 saw a jump to 14.4 million and a 9.6 in the demo. Season 4 made a similarly huge jump to 18.4 million viewers and 12.2 in the demo.
Season 5 completed the ascent when it brought in 20.1 million viewers and a 13.3 in the demo. While season 6 dropped, it still brought in 18.9 million viewers and 12.1 in the demo. Season 7 as mentioned before hit 16.4 million with a 10.3 in the demo.
Even with the lowe numbers, the ratings still surpassed anything else on Sunday night aside from the NFL. It also continues to be the highest-rated scripted series on TV and is highly relevant to advertisers even with the 5.0 in the demo. It just seems the loftier numbers are in the rearview mirror.
While things were dropping off in season 6, it seems season 7 was a turning point in many ways. The cliffhanger heavy season 7 premiere ushered in some fatigue, especially with how brutal the episode turned out to be. It was also a particularly heavy season emotionally for the characters, which might have turned off some folks. Season 8, by comparison, will be a bit different, but then again that was always the plan.
It remains to be seen if some of those viewers will come back throughout the season.
