FEAR THE WALKING DEAD Premieres to Record Ratings

Last night's special 90-minute series premiere of "Fear the Walking Dead" made television history, delivering 10.1 million live/same day viewers and becoming the #1 series premiere in cable television history for total viewers and all key demos. The episode delivered 6.3 million adults 18-49. In that coveted demographic, AMC now is home to three of the top five cable series premieres of all time in live/same day viewing - "Fear the Walking Dead" at #1 (2015), "Better Call Saul" at #2 (2015) and "The Walking Dead" at #5 (2010) - a remarkable accomplishment so far into the post-DVR era. A "Talking Dead" Season 6 Preview Special that preceded the "Fear" premiere last night delivered 4.2 million viewers, and 2.5 million adults 18-49.

"Thank you and congratulations to Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson, the brilliant executive producers and the entire cast and crew of 'Fear the Walking Dead,'" said Charlie Collier, president of AMC and SundanceTV. "It is increasingly difficult to evaluate a show's success on night one. However, we are releasing these live/same day ratings because 'Fear the Walking Dead' delivered record-breaking numbers that are all the more special in this era of time-shifted viewing and audience fragmentation. To have a companion series to the #1 show on television driving communal, urgent viewing, social activity and pop cultural relevance of this magnitude is truly differentiating. Of course none of it is possible without the fans, whose passion leads to these remarkable results."

Key Nielsen Highlights for the Series Premiere of "Fear the Walking Dead"

• 9:00 pm airing - 5.0 HH national rating with 10.1 million viewers
• 9:00 pm airing - 4.9 national rating with 6.3 million Adults 18-49
• 9:00 pm airing - 5.3 national rating with 6.3 million Adults 25-54

Key Nielsen Highlights for the Series Premiere of "Talking Dead" Season 6 Preview Special

• 8:00 pm airing - 2.2 HH national rating with 4.2 million viewers
• 8:00 pm airing - 1.9 national rating with 2.5 million Adults 18-49
• 8:00 pm airing - 2.2 national rating with 2.6 million Adults 25-54

The first season of "Fear the Walking Dead" will run for six episodes this fall. The show will return for a second season of 15 episodes next year.

Source: Nielsen Fast Nationals L+SD (8/23/15). Rankings 1993-to date, (Live only to 2006, L+SD 2007 to date), M-Su 8p-11p (Start). Series Premiere only excludes mini-series.