AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead” broke records for the most total viewers and most viewers in key demos for a cable television premiere Sunday night.
The kickoff for the prequel to “The Walking Dead” drew 10.1 million total viewers. The premiere also drew 6.3 million adults 18-49, according to Nielsen.
The 9 p.m. premiere drew a 4.9 Nielsen rating among adults 18-49 and a 5.3 rating among adults 25-54.
The previous most watched cable premiere in total viewers was another AMC series, “Better Call Saul.” That show drew 6.9 million viewers for its Feb. 8 premiere, but enjoyed a lead-in from the mid-season premiere of “The Walking Dead,” which drew 15.6 million total viewers.
“Fear the Walking Dead” is executive produced by showrunner Dave Erickson and “The Walking Dead ” creator Robert Kirkman.
“Thank you and congratulations to Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson, the brilliant executive producers and the entire cast and crew of ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’” Charlie Collier, president of AMC and SundanceTV, said in a statement.
A “Talking Dead” pre-show special drew 4.2 million total viewers and a 1.9 18-49 rating at 8 p.m.