Regardless of their date of origin, these channels almost always have one common thread: buzz-worthy, marquee original shows that continue to give consumers a reason to tune in. TV ratings, which have long been a metric used to determine whether a show is successful, are an important driver in determining a cable TV channel’s importance. It’s safe to say the higher the amount of viewers, the better the channel. So, with that in mind, if your current package isn’t delivering most or all of the channels on our list, it may be time to look at other satellite or cable packages. Specific rankings are linked to the average audience of the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, since this segment is the one advertisers covet. Cable channels’ parent companies generally have more clout in commanding per-subscriber rates for channels that draw a younger set of eyeballs. Standout programs:
Million Dollar Listing Shahs of Sunset Southern Charm Top Chef Millionaire Matchmaker The Real Housewives franchise
Standout programs:
Ax Men Ice Road Truckers Pawn Stars Top Gear American Pickers Vikings
Standout programs:
The 700 Club Baby Daddy Pretty Little Liars The Secret Life of the American Teenager Shadowhunters The Fosters
Standout programs:
American Horror Story The League Sons of Anarchy Archer It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia The Americans
Standout programs:
The Venture Bros Metalocalypse Squidbillies Aqua Teen Hunger Force Sealab 2021 Check It Out! With Dr. Steve Brule
Standout programs:
Alaskan Bush People Naked and Afraid XL Deadliest Catch Shark Week MythBusters A Haunting
AMC, however, has cranked out other strong offerings as well and continues to be one of the top channels on television. Standout programs:
Better Call Saul (a spinoff of Breaking Bad) Hell on Wheels Fear the Walking Dead (a spawn of the namesake series) Into the Badlands The Killing Turn
Standout programs:
Modern Family Law & Order: SVU Royal Pains NCIS CSI WWE Raw
Standout programs:
The Big Bang Theory 2 Broke Girls Full Frontal with Samantha Bee America’s Greatest Makers The Detour Angie Tribeca
ESPN and other sports channels are available through the best sports packages. Standout programs:
SportsCenter Pardon the Interruption Monday Night Football SportsNation Around the Horn Baseball Tonight
