'Walking Dead' mid-season finale seen by 14.8 million viewers

NEW YORK, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Sunday's Season 5 fall finale of The Walking Dead was seen by 14.8 million viewers, AMC announced. The evening's episode of The Talking Dead aftershow -- featuring Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, exiting cast member Emily Kinney and comedian Keegan-Michael Key -- was watched by 6.6 million people.

"The audience-driven success of The Walking Dead and Talking Dead -- even before time-shifting -- is remarkable, and something we never take for granted," Charlie Collier, AMC's president, said in a statement Monday.

"We hold in such high regard Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple and all of our exceptional executive producers, cast and crew for their passionate efforts that led to television history for The Walking Dead once again last night. Congratulations and 'non-creepy hugs' to Chris Hardwick and everyone associated with making Talking Dead not only the No. 1 talk show on television, but one of the top 18-49 shows in all of television, period. Huge thanks to all of our great partners and, of course, to the fans who make it possible."