The Walking Dead attracts 7.3 Million Live Viewers

AMC announced today that the Season 2 premiere of THE WALKING DEAD received 7.3 million total viewers, for the 9:00pm airing, last night. Here is AMC's press release on the premiere:

Last night’s season two premiere of AMC’s original series, “The Walking Dead” delivered the strongest telecast for any drama in basic cable history. The season two premiere delivered 4.8 million Adults 18-49 and 4.2 million Adults 25-54 shattering a basic cable record set nearly 10 years ago for a single drama telecast. The program delivered a 4.8 HH rating netting 7.3 million total viewers. These results represent a 36% and 38% increase respectively over season one’s series average on AMC. Season one’s series average delivered the most A18-49 viewers for a drama in basic cable history.

The Numbers for The Walking Dead:

• 9pm airing – 4.8 HH rating with 7.3 million viewers a 36%/38% increase respectively over last year’s season average
  
• 9pm airing – Adults 18-49 delivered 4.8 million viewers; a 36% increase over last year’s season average
  
• 9pm airing – Adults 25-54 delivered 4.2 million viewers; a 35% increase over last year’s average.
  
• 9 pm, 10:30pm and 12:30am airings – cumed to 11 million viewers

AMC’s season one of “The Walking Dead” had a series average of 3.5 million Adults 18-49 making it then the most watched drama series in basic cable history for the demo. The season averaged 5.2 million total viewers.