AMC isn't getting rid of any of their zombie shows anytime soon.
"The Walking Dead" season six finale just cleaned up in the Live+3 ratings, drawing 18.4 million total viewers and 11.5 million in adults 18-49. And while its companion series, "Fear the Walking Dead," saw a modest dip in its season two premiere, AMC has full confidence in the show's broad appeal. That is why the network announced Friday that is has renewed "Fear the Walking Dead" for a third season of 16 episodes, starting in 2017.
"Fear the Walking Dead" kicked off its second season last Sunday with a solid 8.8 million viewers. Though that is slightly below its season one premiere numbers (10.1 million), it's still an impressive number for basic cable, enough to make it Sunday night's top program in both adults 18-49 and 25-54.
In addition to "FTWD's" renewal, AMC also ordered another season of "Talking Dead: Fear," the buzzy after show hosted by Chris Hardwick, who also hosts "Talking Dead." Hardwick's post-game show brought in 2.8 million viewers Sunday night.
"What Dave Erickson and Robert Kirkman have invented in Fear the Walking Dead is to be applauded," said Charlie Collier, president of AMC, SundanceTV, and AMC Studios. "Watching Los Angeles crumble through the eyes of our characters and seeing each make decisions and try to figure out the rules of their new world - it's fresh, eerie and compelling and we're all in for the ride. As Victor Strand observed, 'The only way to survive a mad world is to embrace the madness.' We thank the millions of fans for embracing this mad world and look forward to sailing far into the future."
It's funny that Collier would quote the character of Victor Strand, played by Colman Domingo.
Spoiler Alert
Domingo recently made an Instagram posted that accidentally spoiled his character's fate going forward. For all those brave enough, you can check out the full details and what they mean for the show right here.
"Fear the Walking Dead" airs Sunday nights on AMC at 9 pm ET.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
