'Walking Dead' ratings dip, but are still massive

The Walking Dead type TV Show network AMC genre Thriller Where to watch Close Streaming Options

After last week’s incredible record-breaking midseason premiere ratings, you had to figure AMC’s The Walking Dead was going to have lower numbers for its second episode of the year — especially since it aired during a three-day holiday weekend.

And you’d be right. Sunday’s Walking Dead had 11 million viewers on Sunday, down a slight 11 percent. Among adults 18-49, the show delivered a 5.6 rating — easily beating all of broadcast that night (and likely all scripted broadcast shows last week, as well).

The consensus among readers was that the premiere was a let down by Walking Dead‘s usual high standards — sort of felt clunky and rushed (Andrea’s Braveheart speech to a handful of extras representing the whole town of Woodbury and Rick’s “shut up!” shouting match with the Dixons were low points). Sunday night, however, the show felt back on track and concluded with an exciting cliffhanger.

Also, here’s the L+3 DVR numbers for last week’s premiere: The episode grew 21 percent to 14.9 million viewers with three days of playback included. That’s not a huge spike on a percentage basis, but that’s probably because most fans really want to watch this show the night it airs. When you have ratings this big, who cares about DVR?