AMC is staying in the zombie business.
In one of the least-surprising decisions ever, the network announced Friday that they've renewed ratings juggernaut The Walking Dead for a seventh season, while also renewing companion series Talking Dead for a new season as well.
"Thank goodness someone had a Magic 8-Ball with them in our many long internal meetings about these renewals. When, on the third shake, ‘without a doubt' filled the murky blue screen, we knew we had to proceed with new seasons of The Walking Dead and Talking Dead," said Charlie Collier, president of AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios. "All joking aside, we are so proud to share these shows with fans who have been so passionate, communicative and engaged. We are grateful for and continually impressed by the talent, effort and excellence on continuous display by Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Chris Hardwick and the many people with whom we partner to make these unique shows possible. The result: More Walking and Talking. Hooray."
The most recent episode of TWD—aka, the Glenn episode—earned 18.2 million total viewers in the live+3 ratings, with 12 millions viewers in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic, growing on numbers from this time last season. The Walking Dead continues its three-year reign of the No. 1 TV show among adults 18-49. The most recent episode of Talking Dead was the highest-rated episode of the Chris Hardwick-hosted after-show ever that wasn't a premiere or finale, earning 7.3 million total viewers in the live+3 ratings, with 4.6 million of those landing in the 18-49 demo.
Season six of TWD is only three episodes old, but is already proving to be one of its most brutal. Not only is the fate of fan-fave Glenn still up in the air (though, we're pretty sure he'll pull through), but the sadistic Wolves have finally descended upon Alexandria, reminding us all that zombies aren't the only thing to fear in the Walking Dead universe. With the introduction of Jesus on the way—and the looming threat of the ultra-villainous Negan seeming ever closer—we're sure the shocks are only going to get bigger.
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.