Just in time for Halloween, cable network AMC has renewed its top-rated zombie drama series 'The Walking Dead' for a seventh season with companion chat show 'Talking Dead.'

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'The Walking Dead' is AMC's longest-running original scripted series and will have a 16-episode seventh season renewal, making a total of 99 episodes, according to Hollywood Reporter.

AMC/Sundance TV president Charlie Collier stated on Friday Oct. 30 that without a doubt, they will proceed with the new seasons of 'The Walking Dead' and 'Talking Dead.' AMC is proud to share these shows with their passionate, communicative and engaged fans. The company has also expressed appreciation to Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Chris Hardwick etc. for their talent, effort and excellence on continuous display to make the show possible.

Knowing that the zombie series is ranked as most-watched TV drama, many are not surprised that it has been renewed. There were up to 14.6 million viewers when the sixth season opened with a 7.4 rating among adult under 50. It increased to 19.5 million total viewers and 12.9 million among adults 18-49 with a three-day viewing delay.

'Fear the Walking Dead', which is Kirkman and showrunner Dave Erickson's creation, has been renewed for a 15-episode sophomore season and will be on air in all four quarters of 2016.

AMC let Kirkman sign an overall deal in June. It also signed a deal for a docuseries with Norman Reedus earlier this week. The company continues to put a focus on homegrown originals like 'The Walking Dead', which represents its cornerstone series.

Kirkman currently has four cable shows. Among them are 'Fear,' 'Walking Dead' with companion 'Talking Dead,' and Cinemax's 'Outcast' which is based on exorcism comics. He also has AMC's 'Thief of Thieves' under development with Circle of Confusion's Dave Alpert. He is also getting ready for Schulner's comic 'Clone' adaptation for Universal TV and Syfy. Kirkman's Skybound Entertainment made its first feature foray on 'Air' film with Universal pictures and 'Walking Dead' actor Norman Reedus (Daryl). 

TagsAMC, The Walking Dead, The walking dead season 7, Talking dead, Robert Kirkman