The Walking Dead is a show about death that’s going to outlive us all.
While speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media & Communications Summit earlier this week, AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan soothed concerns about the hit zombie show’s falling ratings. “It’s pretty alive and vital and there’s a long time that we’re going to be playing with The Walking Dead,” he said.
The season seven finale was seen by 11.3 million viewers, earning a 5.4 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic, which is massive compared to literally every other show on TV. But it’s a steep drop from season six’s 14.19 million, and season five’s 15.78 million, and season four’s 15.68 million, and season three’s 12.42. In fact, it’s The Walking Dead‘s least-watched finale since season two, before the series became the ratings titan that it is today.
But Sapan isn’t worried about the “minor erosion,” as he put it. “We’re seeing an offset of subscriber decline through internet TV subscription, I think it’s likely to accelerate [as] prices adjust, as packages adjust, as offerings are customized, and so-called disrupters enter the market and offer varieties of packages that may take hold.” In other words, traditional ratings are cratering all over TV — for The Walking Dead, it has nothing to do with the departure of fan favorites, or too many side-episodes about tertiary characters.
Unlike Eugene on social media, Rick & Co. aren’t going anywhere soon.
(Via The Hollywood Reporter)
