The Walking Dead Ratings Slip, Remain Strong With New Best Friends
The Walking Dead's midseason 7 premiere was the third strongest episode of the season in terms of ratings. It's follow-up episode drew the sixth largest crowd of the season, enduring a slight drop as Rick Grimes was introduced to his New Best Friends.
Episode 7x10 averaged 11.08 million viewers on Sunday night for a 5.28 rating in the key 18-49 demographic according to Showbuzz. The AMC series was up against the NBA All-Star Game which earned a 2.63 rating, making it the number two program of the night, achieving about half the viewership.
The Walking Dead's follow-up show which saw Chris Hardwick recap New Best Friends with newcomer cast member Pollyanna McIntosh, Seth Gilliam, and comedian Chris D'Elia couldn't top the All-Star Game but managed to put up impressive numbers despite The Walking Dead not ending on an I-need-answers-now cliffhanger. Talking Dead drew a 1.82 rating in the key demo with 4.05 million viewers. For perspective, 4.05 million viewers is about where Fear the Walking Dead tops out on a good week. Last week's show, which left audiences wondering where Father Gabriel headed off to and why Rick was smiling at a new group earned a 2.15 rating and 4.80 million viewers.
10 episodes into The Walking Dead's 16-episode Season 7, here is how the ratings stack up episode-by-episode:
- 7x01: 17.03 million
- 7x02: 12.46 million
- 7x03: 11.72 million
- 7x04: 11.40 million
- 7x05: 11.00 million
- 7x06: 10.40 million
- 7x07: 10.48 million
- 7x08: 10.58 million
- 7x09: 12 million
- 7x10: 11.08 million
Another well-received episode which put Rick Grimes back in control of his own destiny is what the AMC series needed after a divisive eight episode run to close out 2016. Rather than see the group scattered and humiliated for an hour, all of the fan-favorite faces graced the screen on Sunday night as Daryl and Carol finally reunited, Rick took on a new bunch of strangers with Michonne, Aaron, Tara, and Rosita, and King Ezekiel continued his extravagant style of leadership.
Next week's episode of The Walking Dead will follow Negan, Dwight and Eugene as they hunt for Daryl Dixon, bringing the villainous Saviors back to the show for the first time in the back half of Season 7.
MORE NEW BEST FRIENDS: Jadis Actress Tells All / Who Was Winslow? / What Happens When Jadis Meets Negan / New Best Friends Complete Recap / Karl Makinen On Richard's Intense Episode & Future
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.
