The six-episode series averaged 11.2 million viewers (7.3 million adults age 18-49 and 7.2 million adults age 25-54) in live+3. The series premiere set its own record for a cable premiere, drawing 10.1 million viewers (6.3 million in the age 18-49 demographic, see “'Fear the Walking Dead' Sets Cable Records”). The October 4th season finale, The Good Man, netted 10.1 million viewers in live+3 (6.5 million adults age 18-49 and 6.6 million adults age 25-54). By comparison, The Walking Dead first six-episode season netted a little over 6 million viewers, though that was a record itself back in 2010 (see “'Walking Dead' Ratings Tops”). The flagship zombie drama’s season five finale was watched by an estimated 15.8 million viewers (see “'The Walking Dead' Best Ratings Ever for Finale”).
According to Deadline this makes Fear the Walking Dead the #3 freshman scripted series across all television in the coveted 18 – 49 demographic, lagging only behind Fox’s Empire and NBC’s original Heroes drama.
IMAGE_3}“When we set out to launch a companion series to the #1 show on television, there were truly many things to fear, beyond Fear itself. To see this show stand alone, break through and set records as a unique piece of storytelling is very gratifying and a tribute to great creative talent,” said Charlie Collier, president of AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios.
The second season will air in 2016. AMC has already teased that one of the characters from the web series will join the cast in season two (see “'Fear The Walking Dead: Flight 462'”).