A new study shows that the ratings for The Walking Dead increase when a major character gets killed off.
Like other violence filled shows with high body counts, The Walking Dead consistently reminds us that there is a fine line between character building moments and character destroying scenes filled with violence. However, according to a new study, character deaths is what keeps the show interesting and the ratings HIGH.
Just like the number of walkers that walk through the woods of Georgia on The Walking Dead, the show’s viewership numbers thrive on the death of major characters, with millions of Walking Dead fans returning every week following any character death.
However this trend, applies to everyone except Tyreese WIlliams, the strong and fan-favorite character who met his death in the show’s fith season.
In fact, two episodes are tied for the highest increase in viewers following a main character’s death. The sacrifice of Andrea in the third season finale posted an increase of nearly 4 million viewers from that episode to the fourth season’s premiere, and the eighth episode of the fourth season, which featured the death of Hershel and the Governor.
Tyreese’s death is the only exception, with nearly a 4 million fewer viewers returning the following week to watch what happens next.
With the second half of The Walking Dead’s sixth season returning this Sunday, is another character going to get killed off? Judging by recent rumors and Walking Dead spoilers, there is a strong possibility.
