Though The Walking Dead has already been renewed for a second season, fans may be disappointed to hear THR's report that we likely won't see that season hit the air until next October. For those unaware, this first season of AMC's new series will only have six episodes. That's right, we're already halfway through the first season of one of the best new series on TV. Apparently the plan is to hold onto the second season because the cable network's Fearfest, their annual Halloween inspired horror film marathon through the month of October, served as a great lead-in to the horror TV series. In addition, AMC will already have new seasons of Breaking Bad and Mad Men to air over the summer and at some point has to figure out when they will premiere The Killing.  More after the jump.

It's important to note that the plan to start The Walking Dead's second season next October isn't final, but is simply the current train of thought around the network offices. The second season hasn't even started production yet (though we heard it was supposed to begin in February of 2011), so it's still quite early. Also, I'm sure AMC doesn't want to risk losing their big audience which actually had an increase in viewers with last night's third episode. The good news is Frank Darabont is expected to write and direct an episode for the second season, so I guess that will have to do for now. Anyone a little sad about the potentially long wait?