The Walking Dead recorded the highest ever ratings on US cable television for a non-sporting event with its season five premiere on Sunday (October 12).

According to preliminary ratings, 'No Sanctuary' averaged 17.3 million viewers on AMC, with 11 million in the key 18-49 demographic.

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The numbers top the season four premiere, which managed 16.1 million overall viewers and 10.4 million 18-49 adults.

Season four finale 'A' took 15.7 million earlier this year in March.

The season five opener is expected to break 22 million viewers when timeshift viewings are included.

Companion show The Talking Dead with Chris Hardwick was enjoyed by 6.9 million viewers afterwards, with 4.5 million among 18-49.

'No Sanctuary' also broke ratings records in the UK, as it achieved an audience of 824,100 on FOX UK last night (October 13), the highest ever overnight for the channel.

Watch Digital Spy discuss The Walking Dead episode 'No Sanctuary' below:

preview for The Walking Dead 'No Sanctuary' review: Geek TV