Better Call Saul breaks US cable TV record helped by mid-season return of The Walking Dead on AMC
The Breaking Bad spin-off was given a kick start by the AMC zombie drama
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Better Call Saul has made a big first step in rivalling its Breaking Bad origins by breaking the record for the biggest cable TV series debut in the major demographic.
The much-hyped AMC spin-off led by Bob Odenkirk as sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman attracted 4.4 million viewers aged between 18- 49, about five times as many as Breaking Bad's debut in 2008, with the total amounting to 6.9 million.
While many Breaking Bad fans were counting down to Saul’s air date, its lead-in by zombie drama The Walking Dead certainly gave it a helpful kick start.
The show’s mid-season return drew a massive 15.6 million viewers at 9pm and many of those hung around to check out what all this Better Call Saul chat was about.
The Walking Dead broke a record, too, to be named AMC’s biggest regularly-scheduled programme of the year so far, excluding the Super Bowl and big awards ceremonies.
However, even the show’s latest impressive number did not beat its ratings best of 17.3 million viewers for the season five premiere last October.
Episode two of Better Call Saul airs later tonight in the US, and it will be clearer after that how large its own audience is.
The first episode won widespread rave reviews and ended on a cliffhanger that did Walter White, Jesse Pinkman and co proud.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments