Walking Dead returns for fifth bite

US cable channel AMC has greenlit a fifth season of record-breaking zombie drama The Walking Dead.

The show’s fourth season launch scored a record non-sports cable telecast 16.1 million initial viewers, rising to a record 20.2 million including live+3 viewers.

“We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever: The Walking Dead is renewed for a fifth season,” said Charlie Collier, AMC president. “This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast,” he added.

Season five will see Scott Gimple returning as showrunner, following the exit former incumbent Glen Mazzara in January. Creator Robert Kirkman returns as executive producer alongside Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse.

The news follows the announcement of a Walking Dead spin off series based on new Kirkman-created characters and also follows Monday’s news that AMC parent AMC Networks was buying global channel operator Chellomedia for €750 million (US$1 billion).