As we told you last week, the U.S. The Walking Dead midseason premiere on February 12 set a basic cable record in viewership. As the premiere rolled out across the globe on Fox International Channels, the walkers continued their path of ratings destruction. Here is the giddy press release:

THE WALKING DEAD’S MUCH ANTICIPATED

GLOBAL RETURN SETS NEW RATINGS RECORDS ON

FOX INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS (FIC)

 

MID-SEASON PREMIERE DRAWS CLOSE TO 17 MILLION VIEWERS FOLLOWING A WEEK OF INTERNATIONAL ROLL-OUTS

Los Angeles, CA – February 22, 2012 – Following last week’s global premieres of The Walking Dead on FOX International Channels’ (FIC) networks around the world, the group today announces record-breaking ratings for the hit’s return. An average of 16.9 million-viewers tuned in to watch the mid-season premiere outside of the US. The show was the highest rated program on pay television of the night in most of FIC’s major markets; winning its time period among all Pay TV. The mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead debuted in 122 countries across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, speaking 35 languages.

International Ratings Highlights for The Walking Dead – Season 2 Part 2

·       Delivered 16.9 million households within all FIC markets

·       Delivered 8 million households across all FIC metered markets

·       Ranked #1 in regions like UK (1.76 rat%), Spain (2.75 rat%), Argentina (0.81 rat%), Colombia (0.94 rat%) and Mexico (1.31 rat%), Italy (1.93 rat%) and Slovenia (0.62 rat%).

·       Broke ratings records previously held by The Walking Dead’s season 1 & season 2 premieres

“These impressive results are proof that FIC’s global launch model is steering the new TV standard,” said Hernan Lopez, CEO of Fox International Channels. “International audiences are eager to be part of the global conversation, and effective day & date releases is a unique way in which FIC ensures they are. With targeted marketing and continued fan engagement over the show’s hiatus, we were able to create a cult global community who’s following the show actively. We see global launches playing a very big part of our worldwide programming strategy, and one we have replicated and will continue to replicate for key titles.

Regional Ratings Highlights:

UK – FX (Key BARB Highlights):

·      Averaged 737,200 Total Pay Viewers (558,400 in key 18-49 demo) – over performing its lead in by 100% among Pay P18-49 and +31% among Total Pay Viewers

·      Ranked #1 among all Pay TV channels in key 18-49 demo with a 3.05 rating and Total Viewers with a 1.98 rating.

SPAIN – FOX (Key KANTAR Highlights):

·      Averaged 330,000 Total Pay Viewers (193,080 in key 18-49 demo) – posting impressive double-digit growth compared to Season 1.

·      Ranked #1 among all Pay TV channels in key 18-49 demo with a 3.93 rating and Total Viewers with a 2.75 rating.

·      Ranked a dominant #1 among Pay TV programs, beating its closest competitor, Castle on AXN, by 78%.

ITALY-FOX (Key AUDITEL/AGB Highlights):

·      Averaged 328,180 Total Pay Viewers (215,640 in key 18-49 demo) – posting a 19% growth over Season 2’s October premiere.

·      Ranked #1 among all Pay TV channels in key 18-49 demo with a 3.26 rating and Total Viewers with a 1.93 rating.

·      Ranked as the #1 program of the night on Pay TV beating its closest competitor, Guardia Del Corpo 1992 on Sky Cinema Hits, by 123%.

LATAM (Key IBOPE Highlights):

·      Ranked #1 among all Pay TV channels in Mexico in key Pay P18-49 High/Medium demo with a 2.19 rating and Total Pay P4+ Viewers with a 1.31 rating. Outperformed Season 1 by +6%.

·      Ranked #1 among all entertainment Pay TV channels in Argentina in key Pay P 18-49 High/Medium demo with a 0.88 rating and Total Pay P4+ Viewers with a 0.81 rating. Outperformed channel primetime average by 24% in key 18-49 demo.

·      Ranked #1 among all t Pay TV channels in Chile in key Pay P 18-49 High/Medium demo with a 0.78 rating and among all entertainment Pay TV channels with Total Pay P 4+Viewers with a 0.51 rating. Outperformed channel primetime average by 136% in key 18-49 demo.

·      Ranked #1 among all entertainment Pay TV channels in Colombia in key Pay P 18-49 High/Medium demo with a 1.07 rating and Total Pay P 4+Viewers with a 0.73 rating.

“The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics.  Glen Mazzara serves as series’ showrunner and executive producer. Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and Frank Darabont are executive producers with Greg Nicotero as co-executive producer. Season two of the critically acclaimed global hit series continues to deliver the strongest telecasts for any drama in basic cable history against Adults 18-49, as well as, top international pay-TV ratings on Fox International Channels’ (FIC) major markets

FIC owns all international rights for The Walking Dead outside of North America. Entertainment One handles third party Broadcast TV, Digital and Home Video sales for the show outside of FIC’s channels.

International fans can stay connected with The Walking Dead by visiting FIC’s official website http://ficshows.com/en/the-walking-dead/home, regional Facebook and Twitter pages.

*Sources: IBOPE (Argentina: GBA Only, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru) – Persons 18-49 in Pay TV Universe, AUDITEL/AGB (Italy) AMR viewersPeople 18-49+ in Pay TV Universe, BARB (UK)- TRP viewers in Pay TV HH, KANTAR (Spain)- SOA viewers in Pay TV Universe

The Walking Dead airs in the U.S. on Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.