“Breaking Bad” prequel “Better Call Saul” debuted Sunday evening to a key demo record for a cable series premiere: 4.4 million viewers aged 18-49.
The Bob Odenkirk dramedy had 6.9 million total viewers at 10 p.m., including 4 million from the 25-54 demo.
In terms of ratings, “Saul” pulled in a 3.7 in households, and a 3.4 in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic.
Leading in to AMC’s newest hit series, its biggest, “The Walking Dead,” returned for the second half of Season 5 to 15.6 million total viewers. It had 10.1 million in 18-49 demo and 9.5 million viewers 25-54.
Ratings-wise, “TWD” got a 7.9 in households and 8.0 in the important 18-49 demo.
The zombie series’ “Talking Dead” aftershow premiered at a special time (11:15 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.) and delivered 2.8 million viewers, 1.9 million adults 18-49. The mid-season premiere featured Chad L. Coleman (Tyreese) and executive producer Greg Nicotero, who also directed last night’s episode of “The Walking Dead.”
“In a competitive environment that sometimes gets as much press as the shows themselves, it is gratifying to deliver programming that breaks through and reaches passionate audiences,” AMC President Charlie Collier said. “For AMC, it starts with the creative talent we are so fortunate to be working with including, among many others — in the order of last night’s unforgettable schedule — Robert Kirkman and Scott Gimple of ‘The Walking Dead,’ Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould of ‘Better Call Saul’ and Chris Hardwick of ‘Talking Dead.’”
“We are supremely thankful for the talented people who call this network home, and for the fans who continue to make AMC a television destination unlike any other,” Collier said. “Walking. Calling. Talking. Humbling.”