The 10 Highest Rated Cable Series Of 2013

For the first time in seven years, the USA Network will not win the ratings battle among 18-49 year olds among the cable networks. That title this year goes to TBS, which ironically had no series among the top ten. USA Network falls to number two, although it led all cable networks in overall viewers in 2013 (again, ironically, the USA Network had zero shows in the top ten among 18-49 year olds or in overall viewers). TBS led the way thanks in large part to Big Bang Theory reruns, Cougar Town, and it’s new original comedies, like Ground Floor (which isn’t bad, actually). USA Network, meanwhile, was carried by WWE Raw and its summer lineup of Burn Notice, Suits, Graceland and Royal Pains.

However, these were the top ten shows of the year, among the 18-49 demographic, including some familiar favorites in 2013:

1. AMC’s The Walking Dead

2. A&E’s Duck Dynasty

3. AMC’s Breaking Bad

4. FX’s Sons of Anarchy

5. History’s The Bible

6. FX’s American Horror Story

7. AMC’s Talking Dead

8. MTV’s Teen Mom II

9. VH1′s Love & Hip Hop Atlanta

9. (tie) History’s The Vikings

9. (tie) A&E’s Bates Motel

In Average Total Viewers (including same week re-airs)

1. AMC’s The Walking Dead” (16.16 million)

2. A&E’s Duck Dynasty (13.37 million)

3. History’s The Bible (13.19m)

4. AMC’s Breaking Bad (8.48m)

5. TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles (8.33m)

6. FX’s Sons of Anarchy (7.09m),

7. TNT’s Major Crimes (6.45m)

8. A&E’s Longmire (5.95m)

9. FX’s American Horror Story (5.94m)

10. History’s Vikings (5.93m)

I’m glad to see that Vikings made it on both lists. Although it benefited greatly from its The Bible lead-in, it ended up being one of the best new shows on cable this year.

Source: Variety

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