'The Walking Dead' Season 5 premiere seen by 17.3 million viewers

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Sunday's Season 5 premiere of The Walking Dead delivered the highest ratings in series history, AMC declared Monday.

The zombie-apocalypse show's return was watched by 17.3 million viewers, the cable network said.

"It's a Dead man's party. Who could ask for more?" Charlie Collier, the cable network's president, said 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 No. 1 show on television such a unique and incredible experience for the fans."

The previous ratings record for an episode of The Walking Dead was 16.1 million total viewers for the Season 4 premiere.

Sunday night's Season 4 debut of Talking Dead, the live aftershow of The Walking Dead, was seen by 6.9 million viewers. The program is hosted by comedian Chris Hardwick.