AMC's zombie TV show The Walking Dead recently returned for its 10th season, and it seems the show is losing steam in some categories but rising in others. According to Deadline, the episode, "We Are the End of the World," drew 3.47 million viewers on traditional linear TV.

That is the lowest number of viewers for any episode in the show over its 10-year history. It's down 7 percent from the Season 10 premiere a week previously.

There are a number of contributing factors to the big declines in viewership. First, every episode of The Walking Dead is now available two days early on AMC's digital streaming service AMC Premiere. Additionally, the initial numbers do not tell the whole story of an individual episode's success and viewership.

For the Season 10 premiere, the "Live + 3 ratings" were actually up 50 percent in the 18-49 demographic and 45 percent overall. Live + 3 ratings are the total number of people who watch live and over the next three days with DVR plays. The Live + 3 ratings for Season 10, Episode 2 have not been released yet.

However you look at the numbers, however, The Walking Dead is trending downwards in total viewership compared to the earlier seasons. Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman ended the comic book series earlier this year, and that might have impacted viewership, too. Still, with the numbers it still gets, The Walking Dead is among the most popular shows on linear TV.

AMC recently renewed The Walking Dead for Season 11. In addition to the show, AMC is producing multiple Walking Dead movies starring Rick Grimes.