What’s bigger than zombies? Presidential candidates, at least in terms of viewers on cable for the week of Oct. 12-18.
CNN’s coverage of the first Democratic primary debate drew a bigger total audience than “The Walking Dead,” a rare feat in recent seasons. “TWD” was still the leader among adults 18-49 by a long shot, however. The debate and some strong college football games pushed “American Horror Story: Hotel” (2.2) down to eighth place for the week.
Top 25 cable shows (including ties) in adults 18-49 for Oct. 12-18, 2015
| Rank | Show | Net | Day | Time | 18-49 Rating Live + SD | 18-49 Viewers Live + SD |
| 1 | THE WALKING DEAD | AMC | 10/18/15 | 9:00 PM | 6.2 | 7822 |
| 2 | MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | ESPN | 10/12/15 | 8:15 PM | 4.5 | 5684 |
| 3 | NEVADA DEM DEBATE | CNN | 10/13/15 | 9:00 PM | 3.6 | 4552 |
| 4 | NEV DEM DEBATE | CNN | 10/13/15 | 10:49 PM | 2.9 | 3733 |
| 5 | NEVADA DEM DEBATE | CNN | 10/13/15 | 8:37 PM | 2.7 | 3438 |
| 6 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL AFT L | ESPN | 10/17/15 | 3:28 PM | 2.4 | 2985 |
| 7 | MLB NLCS GAME 1 | TBSC | 10/17/15 | 8:00 PM | 2.3 | 2871 |
| 8 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRIME L | ESPN | 10/17/15 | 7:24 PM | 2.2 | 2798 |
| 9 | AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL | FX | 10/14/15 | 10:00 PM | 2.2 | 2728 |
| 10 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/15/15 | 8:00 PM | 2.1 | 2682 |
| 10t | TALKING DEAD | AMC | 10/18/15 | 10:02 PM | 2.1 | 2638 |
| 12 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/13/15 | 8:00 PM | 2.0 | 2500 |
| 13 | MLB NLCS GAME 2 | TBSC | 10/18/15 | 8:00 PM | 1.9 | 2439 |
| 14 | MLB AL DIVISION SERIES | FS1 | 10/14/15 | 8:00 PM | 1.8 | 2267 |
| 15 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/12/15 | 6:01 PM | 1.7 | 2126 |
| 16 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/13/15 | 4:30 PM | 1.6 | 2066 |
| 16t | SPORTSCENTER | ESPN | 10/12/15 | 11:43 PM | 1.6 | 1994 |
| 18 | LOVE & HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD | VH1 | 10/12/15 | 8:00 PM | 1.4 | 1813 |
| 19 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/12/15 | 9:37 PM | 1.2 | 1547 |
| 19t | GOLD RUSH | DISC | 10/16/15 | 9:00 PM | 1.2 | 1539 |
| 19t | WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW | USA | 10/12/15 | 8:00 PM | 1.2 | 1474 |
| 19t | THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | NFLN | 10/15/15 | 8:27 PM | 1.2 | 1458 |
| 23 | THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL POSTGAME | NFLN | 10/15/15 | 11:16 PM | 1.1 | 1424 |
| 23t | BLACK INK CREW 3 | VH1 | 10/12/15 | 9:00 PM | 1.1 | 1412 |
| 23t | COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRIME L | ESPN | 10/17/15 | 10:46 PM | 1.1 | 1391 |
| 23t | WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW | USA | 10/12/15 | 9:00 PM | 1.1 | 1371 |
| 23t | WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW | USA | 10/12/15 | 10:00 PM | 1.1 | 1345 |
Top 25 cable series in viewers for Oct. 12-18, 2015
| Rank | Show | Net | Day | Time | Viewers Live+SD (000s) |
| 1 | NEVADA DEM DEBATE | CNN | 10/13/15 | 9:00 PM | 15791 |
| 2 | NEVADA DEM DEBATE | CNN | 10/13/15 | 8:37 PM | 12689 |
| 3 | NEV DEM DEBATE | CNN | 10/13/15 | 10:49 PM | 12672 |
| 4 | THE WALKING DEAD | AMC | 10/18/15 | 9:00 PM | 12183 |
| 5 | MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL | ESPN | 10/12/15 | 8:15 PM | 12182 |
| 6 | MLB NLCS GAME 1 | TBSC | 10/17/15 | 8:00 PM | 7891 |
| 7 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL AFT L | ESPN | 10/17/15 | 3:28 PM | 7398 |
| 8 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/15/15 | 8:00 PM | 7384 |
| 9 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRIME L | ESPN | 10/17/15 | 7:24 PM | 6777 |
| 10 | MLB NLCS GAME 2 | TBSC | 10/18/15 | 8:00 PM | 6567 |
| 11 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/13/15 | 8:00 PM | 6347 |
| 12 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/13/15 | 4:30 PM | 6179 |
| 13 | MLB AL DIVISION SERIES L | FS1 | 10/14/15 | 8:00 PM | 5944 |
| 14 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/12/15 | 6:01 PM | 5784 |
| 15 | ANDERSON COOPER 360 | CNN | 10/13/15 | 8:00 PM | 4662 |
| 16 | TALKING DEAD | AMC | 10/18/15 | 10:02 PM | 4308 |
| 17 | AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL | FX | 10/14/15 | 10:00 PM | 4061 |
| 18 | MLB DIVISION SERIES | TBSC | 10/12/15 | 9:37 PM | 3960 |
| 19 | GOLD RUSH | DISC | 10/16/15 | 9:00 PM | 3886 |
| 20 | WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW | USA | 10/12/15 | 8:00 PM | 3518 |
| 21 | SPORTSCENTER | ESPN | 10/12/15 | 11:43 PM | 3516 |
| 22 | AC360 POST DEBATE SPCL | CNN | 10/13/15 | 11:02 PM | 3419 |
| 23 | WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW | USA | 10/12/15 | 9:00 PM | 3254 |
| 24 | MLB AL DIVISION SERIES L | FS1 | 10/14/15 | 4:00 PM | 3199 |
| 25 | THE O’REILLY FACTOR | FOXNC | 10/14/15 | 8:00 PM | 3142 |
All ratings are live + same-day. Source: The Nielsen Company.
