This was an unprecedented pattern for Walking Dead, which has long-reigned as TV’s most watched scripted series among the advertiser-treasured 18-49 viewer demographic.
From the season premiere onward, TWD’s ratings began steadily dropping, with the only (slight) rise occurring between episode 7 and the winter finale episode, ‘Hearts Still Beating’.
It’s still too soon to know for sure whether or not those predictions of Nielsen doom will eventually prove correct, but at least for now, things are looking up for The Walking Dead.
Deadline reports that this past Sunday’s season 7.5 premiere episode – entitled ‘Rock in the Road‘ – earned a 5.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic, and drew in over 12 million total viewers.