We'll have to wait until the fall to find out which character Negan killed off on the season six finale of AMC's "The Walking Dead," but we know right now that the hit series dipped in the ratings. Sunday night's finale totaled 14.2 million viewers with 8.8 million in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic. That's a double-digit tumble in the ratings compared to last year's all-time finale high season five conclusion.
In terms of total viewers, Sunday's 90-minute finale, titled "Last Day On Earth," fell just north of 10 percent of the March 29, 2015 "Conquer" episode, which also ran 90 minutes and was directed by executive producer Greg Nicotero. Unlike last season's finale, however, this year's episode was up against CBS' 51st Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night.
In the 18-49 demo, the episode's 6.9 rating was 16 percent lower than the season five finale. This week's ending chapter was actually the show's lowest rated finale in total viewership since season 3's 12.42 million finale on March 31, 2013. That episode posted a 6.4 rating in the 18-49 demo.
But the news isn't all bad for AMC.
The controversial finale actually saw a 15 percent rise in total viewers and a 20 percent kick in the key demo compared to the March 27 penultimate episode. The April 3 airing held steady from the show's November 29, 2015 midseason finale in viewership and key demo numbers.
Though season six has seen some dips in the ratings from the series' previous sky-high heights, the show still remains television's most watched program. In terms of just the sixth season, the finale was the second-most watched episode behind the 14.63 million people that tuned into the 90-minute season six premiere on October 11, 2015. "The Walking Dead" is also among TV's leaders in social media buzz.
Plus, AMC puts the most stock in the Live+3 numbers, which routinely give the show a double digit bump. Those numbers should become available by the end of the week.
"The Walking Dead" will return to AMC for a seventh season in the fall.
