The Walking Dead is dying. We’ve said it before and explained exactly why in full detail, and the writing has long been on the wall for the series to prepare for an ending. Despite AMC’s insistence that the series has another decade left in it, the network will eventually be forced to accept that the TV juggernaut is losing its steam, as is evident by the ratings pulled in for the new Season 8 premiere.
According to TheWrap, the episode managed to draw 6.1 million viewers, with 3.2 million in the 18-49 demo. This means that nearly two million viewers stopped watching since last season, as the Season 8 finale drew 7.9 million. Worse yet, it’s about half of what the show was at this same time last year, as the Season 8 premiere pulled in 11.4 million. Compare that to Season 7’s premiere, which drew over 17 million viewers, and it’s clear just how many people are rapidly losing interest in The Walking Dead.
While not in immediate danger of cancellation, the future of the show doesn’t look very good at all. Its current ratings are now on par with where the series began, comparable to Season 1 and Season 2. Unless a miracle happens, it’s likely the ratings will only continue to fall from here, especially with Andrew Lincoln and Lauren Cohan both exiting in the first half of the season. As it stands now, The Walking Dead remains the No. 1 show on TV, although its lead is not as far ahead as it used to be. With the ratings continuing to go downward, it’s just a matter of time before the show has to end up calling it quits.
Season 9 was promoted as being a new beginning of sorts for the series. It seems more like it’s actually the beginning of the end. For now, you can tune in Sunday nights at 9/8c to AMC for new episodes of The Walking Dead.
I haven’t watched since the dreaded cliffhanger and I won’t. The show lost its way trying stupid shit to draw in viewers.