‘Mad Men’ finale goes out with series ratings record

Here’s something for Don Draper to meditate on: The finale of “Mad Men” drew the show’s highest numbers in two years and a series record in a key audience segment.

An average of 3.3 million total viewers tuned in Sunday to say farewell to ad man Draper and his colleagues in AMC’s 1960s-’70s period drama, according to Nielsen. The finale -- which found Draper sitting peacefully in lotus pose on the sunny California coast -- also featured a famous Coke ad from the early 1970s.

Those are the highest numbers since the 2013 season opener, which drew 3.4 million. “Mad Men” hit an overall series high with 3.5 million for the 2012 season premiere.

The finale also notched a record in the key demographic of adults aged 25 to 54, with 1.7 million viewers in that group.

The numbers are sure to rise once delayed viewing is factored in over the coming days, as many viewers watch “Mad Men” on DVRs.

“Mad Men” has never drawn huge audiences by TV standards. AMC’s zombie smash “The Walking Dead” has drawn more than 17 million viewers by comparison.

But the show has consistently been among the most critically acclaimed TV dramas since its 2007 premiere.

What did you think of the “Mad Men” finale?

Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT