The season 5 premiere of The Walking Dead is being hailed as the best episode of all time. It certainly was one of the most violent!
But it was also one of the most watched– scratch that. THE most watched. Cable TV episode. In history.
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According to preliminary ratings, No Sanctuary pulled in 17.3 million viewers as it aired, the most ever for a non-sporting event on cable!
Those numbers are expected to climb even higher when all viewers are accounted for.
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After adding those who watched the later airing, on DVR, or on AMC’s website, it’s estimated that 22 million people tuned in to find out how Rick and company would get out of this one!
The previous record was 16.1 million held by TWD‘s season 4 premiere.