'Walking Dead' becomes first cable series to top fall TV ratings

By Scott Collins

Dec. 4, 2012 12 AM PT

Those zombies in “The Walking Dead” have already terrorized the good people of Atlanta. Now they’re gobbling down the ratings record books too.

The zombie smash has become the first cable series to win the fall TV ratings in the key demographic of adults ages 18 to 49, according to Nielsen.

That includes established network series such as “Modern Family,” “The Voice” and “The Big Bang Theory,” as well as the new fall shows like “Elementary” and “Revolution.”

What kind of power does “Dead” have? Well, Sunday’s “mid-season finale” -- the show will return in February -- drew 10.5 million viewers. Throw in a couple of encores, and the total rose to 15.2 million.

Season 3 also has been averaging an additional 3.4 million viewers who watch later in the week and are included in the DVR numbers.

“The records that ‘The Walking Dead’ shattered today represent an enormous achievement of which we are so proud,” said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president.

What do you think of “The Walking Dead”?

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Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT