The Walking Dead season 8 episode 9 return date hopes for Andrew Lincoln, cast
The issue with thinking about this return date in advance of the midseason finale tonight on AMC is a little more complicated than most. For starters, it may not make sense for the network to bring The Walking Dead back on the air until after February 25, which is when the Winter Olympics wrap up. The next issue following this is that the Oscars are going to be coming on March 4. Basically, this puts The Walking Dead in a position where if it wants to start in February or early March, it is going to have to do so opposite some major competition. While we’re sure that it would get plenty of viewers against any of that — it has aired against the Oscars before — we also wouldn’t be shocked if the show decided to wait until March 11 to kick things off again.
Remember, The Walking Dead probably needs more live viewers this year than it has in the past for one reason more so than any other: Falling ratings. The numbers for season 8 are the lowest for the AMC series in a rather long time. The buzz around the show isn’t there like it once was. It’s still the #1 scripted series on basic cable but if it wants to last several more seasons there’s no reason to take a risk when there are other options. (Personally, we think that the network should renew The Walking Dead for two more years and make season 10 the last one, just so that it’s clear that we’re building towards something and the show isn’t just stalling out.)
AMC may choose to announce the return date tonight during Talking Dead, or at some point over the weeks ahead. If they do that, we will obviously provide another update to this story. (For now, our Premiere Guide has the return dates for a variety of popular shows!)
Update: It does look as though the series will return in February. More soon…
When do you want to see The Walking Dead season 8 episode 9 back on the air? Be sure to share now in the comments!
Also, be sure to visit the link here in the event you want some other news — we’ll have a full review of the midseason finale online after it wraps.
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