The internet was buzzing earlier today with the news that AMC had renewed The Walking Dead for a second season. However, having been burned by Fangoria’s false announcement that it had been renewed a couple of months ago, I decided to wait until AMC confirmed it on their official site, before I would post the news here.

So, please find the official press release, from AMC’s website, posted below:

AMC announced today the renewal of The Walking Dead for a 13-episode second season. Since debuting Sun., Oct. 31, The Walking Dead has broken ratings records, with the series reaching more Adults 18 to 49 than any other show in the history of cable television.

Today’s announcement also includes Fox International Channels’ (FIC) global renewal for a second season, following record-breaking premiere ratings in 120 countries in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. The Walking Dead was the highest-rated original series premiere ever to air on FIC simultaneously worldwide.

“The Dead has spread!” said Charlie Collier, President, AMC. “No other cable series has ever attracted as many Adults 18-49 as The Walking Dead. This reaffirms viewers’ hunger for premium television on basic cable. We are so proud to be bringing back The Dead again, across the globe.”

Ratings Highlights for The Walking Dead - Episode 2, which premiered on AMC Sunday, 11/7:

• 10pm airing - 3.1 HH rating with over 4.7 million viewers;
• Adults 18-49 - 3.3 million viewers;
• Adults 25-54 - 2.8 million viewers;
• Men 18-49 - 2.1 million viewers.

Ratings Highlights for the The Walking Dead - Episode 1, which premiered on AMC Sunday, 10/31:

• 10pm airing - 3.7 HH rating with over 5.3 million total viewers;
• Adults 18-49 - 3.6 million viewers;
• Adults 25-54 - 3.1 million viewers;
• Men 18-49 - 2.0 million viewers;

“I wish all programming decisions were no brainers like this one,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, SVP Scripted Programming for Fox International Channels. “The Walking Dead is a TV masterpiece on so many levels. We want at least 10 seasons, if not more. Kudos to AMC!”

AMC’s The Walking Dead is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. Executive Produced by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) and Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator), it tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. The series follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home.

Shot on location in Atlanta, The Walking Dead is led by a cast that includes Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually) as Rick Grimes, Jon Bernthal (The Pacific) as Shane Walsh, Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break) as Lori Grimes, Laurie Holden (The Shield, Stephen King’s The Mist) as Andrea, Jeffrey DeMunn (Stephen King’s The Mist, The Green Mile) as Dale, Steven Yeun (The Big Bang Theory) as Glenn, Emma Bell (The Bedford Diaries) as Amy and Chandler Riggs (Get Low) as Carl Grimes.

Related posts:

1. The Walking Dead Premiere Receives the Highest Ratings for Any Series in AMC History!
2. AMC’s The Walking Dead Gets Renewed for a Second Season
3. New Images From the Set of AMC’s The Walking Dead
4. Image Comics Releases The Walking Dead Volume 6 and The Walking Dead: The Covers
5. AMC Features The Walking Dead at NY Comic Con