Photo from 'The Walking Dead,' by Gene Page
The Walking Dead has been renewed for a seventh season by AMC, the network announced Friday.
Following mostly steady ratings in the show's current sixth season, AMC has given the zombie thriller series and its live after-show Talking Dead the green light for new seasons in 2016.
The news comes after last week's Talking Dead earned its highest non-premiere ratings, with 7.3 million total and 4.6 million in the coveted 18-49 demographic.
Walking Dead's sixth season premiere earlier this month attracted a smaller live audience than last fall's premiere, but it grew to 19.5 million total viewers and 12.9 million in 18-49, when factoring three days of delayed viewing.
"We are grateful for and continually impressed by the talent, effort and excellence on continuous display by Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Chris Hardwick and the many people with whom we partner to make these unique shows possible," AMC/Sundance TV president Charlie Collier said in a statement released Friday. "The result: More Walking and Talking. Hooray."
Should AMC give Dead another 16-episode season, that would make it the network's longest-running series, with 99 episodes surpassing Mad Men's 92.
The Walking Dead is scheduled to wrap production on its current season next month.