AMC Sets Premiere Date for THE WALKING DEAD Season 5, Debuts First Teaser

AMC announced today from Comic Con International in San Diego, CA the premiere of "The Walking Dead" season five on Sunday, October 12 at 9pm ET/PT. As in previous seasons, the series' fifth season of 16 episodes will air in two-parts with the first eight hours kicking off October 12 and the final eight episodes returning February 2015. Following "The Walking Dead" will be the season premieres of AMC's unscripted series "Talking Dead," hosted by Chris Hardwick (Nerdist), at 10pm ET/PT and "Comic Book Men" at midnight ET/PT. Internationally, "The Walking Dead' will return to audiences in 125+ FOX International Channels (FIC) markets within 24 hours of the U.S. broadcast, as part of FIC continued commitment to broadcast the series near date-and-date globally.

"From the opening tease in the premiere onward, season 5 is without question the most ambitious and satisfying season this amazing team has ever crafted" said Charlie Collier, AMC president. "In the zombie apocalypse, event television is alive and well, and I am proud to acknowledge that this uniquely talented writing staff, production team and cast have once again raised the bar (and the crossbow)."

The season premieres of "The Walking Dead," "Talking Dead" and "Comic Book Men" will coincide with AMC's Zombie Apocalypse Week, from Monday, October 6 through Sunday, October 12, as well as the network's annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films, AMC Fearfest. Celebrating its 18th year, AMC Fearfest will feature themed programming and more than 70 films, running fromFriday, October 17 through Friday, October 31.

Today at 12:20pm is AMC's "The Walking Dead" Comic Con panel event, moderated by Hardwick, and season five trailer premiere in Hall H. Following the event, the trailer can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GAs9TJVjM&list=PLP63B9XPsQt0KiUz3ffyiS1tpDywWraPF&index=6.

At AMC's "The Walking Dead" booth (#4237), fans can stop by to take photos of themselves within a recreation of Terminus, the infamous setting from the season four finale, in which Rick and his group are currently being held captive. Also at AMC's booth, from 1:50 - 2:50pm, there will be an autograph signing with the cast and executive producers.