Channel 5 u-turn over Walking Dead

The UK’s Channel 5 has performed a u-turn on its decision to drop its carriage of zombie drama The Walking Dead, and will now run the fourth season on diginet 5*.

Channel 5 had axed the show, but vociferous “calls from fans for the show” meant it decided to strike a new deal with distributor Entertainment One and continue with it.

“After such a passionate fan response it is evident that the series is a much loved television show for many British viewers and we can’t wait for its return,” said Marie-Claire Dunlop, Channel 5’s acquisitions and channel manager.

In the UK, Walking Dead is run in the first window on pay TV channel Fox thanks to its parent Fox International Channels having a global rights agreement with eOne.

Season five of the ratings smash will launch close to its US TX in October on cable channel AMC.