AMC spin-off posts franchise-low live TV numbers, while streaming boosts overall reach
Summary
– Live cable viewership hit series lows for Season 3, setting new franchise troughs
– Early AMC+ availability shifted a large share of the audience to streaming and time-shifted viewing
– Critics were generally positive while fans were mixed, praising the Daryl–Carol dynamic and Spain setting
Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon delivered the weakest same-night cable ratings in the franchise’s history. Episodes trended downward on AMC’s linear channel, reflecting audience migration away from live TV.
AMC’s release pattern placed episodes early on AMC+, which concentrated viewership on the streaming platform. The total audience appears healthier once AMC+ and delayed viewing are included, even as linear numbers sag.
The critical response was generally favorable. Reviewers highlighted the chemistry between Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride and praised the Spanish backdrops that gave the story a fresh rhythm.
Audience sentiment was mixed. Longtime fans welcomed the reunion and action beats, while others cited uneven pacing and a desire for firmer narrative momentum.
Season 3 ultimately played as a tale of two metrics. Linear TV set records in the wrong direction. Platform-first streaming kept the spin-off competitive within AMC’s ecosystem.
