This just in: Television viewers love The Walking Dead!

According to an AMC press release, The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 1 set a series ratings record, bringing in 17.3 million viewers overall, 11 million of whom were between the advertiser-friendly ages of 18 and 49.

Those are ridiculously huge numbers.

It’s a Dead man’s party. Who could ask for more?” said Charlie Collier, AMC president in a statement.“Enormous thanks to our friends and executive producers Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Greg Nicotero – who also directed last night’s terrific premiere – Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Tom Luse and all of their fellow producers, cast and crew for everything they do to make the #1 show on television such a unique and incredible experience for the fans.

The Walking Dead is one of those increasingly rare shows today that can command a live audience not significantly cannibalized by time-shifted viewing. Who would have thought that cannibalized television could be curtailed by cannibal-ized television?"

AMC has already renewed The Walking Dead for Season 6.

Did you catch the premiere? Do you wish to relive it?

You can watch The Walking Dead online right here and now and you can take a peek ahead at The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 2 below:

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.