History's Best Selling TV Shows of 2013

Hats off to 2013! Few tv commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as The Americans. Alongside sensationally popular hits like House of Cards and Hannibal, consumers eagerly embraced the Y2K fever and early digital revolution. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Joe Weisberg and Beau Willimon set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. The Americans

   Released in 2013 by Joe Weisberg, FX

   On January 30, 2013, the television landscape was forever altered with the premiere of 'The Americans' on FX. This date marked the introduction of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, a seemingly ordinary suburban couple with a deeply buried secret: they were Soviet KGB spies. Debuting in the golden age of prestige television, the show arrived without immense fanfare but quickly established itself as a critical darling. It offered a fresh, chilling perspective on the Cold War, turning the era's geopolitical paranoia into the backdrop for an intense, intimate drama about marriage, family, and identity. The premiere set the stage for a six-season run that would be hailed as one of the finest series of the 21st century.

2. House of Cards

   Released in 2013 by Beau Willimon, Netflix

   On February 1, 2013, the landscape of television was irrevocably altered with the premiere of 'House of Cards'. In an unprecedented move, streaming service Netflix released the entire 13-episode first season simultaneously, effectively launching the era of binge-watching. This release strategy was a monumental gamble, signaling Netflix's aggressive entry into the original content space and directly challenging the week-to-week release model of traditional broadcast and cable networks. The show's debut was not just a premiere; it was a statement of intent, proving that a streaming platform could produce programming with the cinematic quality and narrative depth to rival prestige television giants like HBO, forever changing how audiences consume media.

3. Hannibal

   Released in 2013 by Bryan Fuller, NBC

   On April 4, 2013, network television took a bold and gruesome turn with the premiere of 'Hannibal' on NBC. This date marked the arrival of a startlingly artistic and psychologically dense horror series, which was highly unusual for a mainstream broadcast channel at the time. Developed by Bryan Fuller, the show reimagined the well-known characters from Thomas Harris's novels, focusing on the intricate relationship between FBI profiler Will Graham and the brilliant, cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Its debut promised a viewing experience more akin to premium cable, challenging the boundaries of primetime content with its cinematic visuals, graphic imagery, and complex, character-driven narrative, immediately setting a new standard for horror on television.

4. Peaky Blinders

   Released in 2013 by Steven Knight, BBC Two, BBC One

   On September 12, 2013, British television audiences were introduced to the gritty, smoke-filled streets of post-WWI Birmingham as the first episode of 'Peaky Blinders' aired on BBC Two. This date marked the arrival of a new kind of period drama, one that swapped staid historical reverence for cinematic swagger, modern music, and brutal violence. The premiere introduced the world to Thomas Shelby and his ambitious family, a gang of bookmakers distinguished by the razor blades sewn into the peaks of their caps. While its initial broadcast was for a UK audience, this first step began the show's slow-burn journey from a critically-acclaimed national drama to a full-blown global cultural phenomenon.

5. Rick and Morty

   Released in 2013 by Justin Roiland & Dan Harmon, Adult Swim

   On December 2, 2013, the landscape of adult animation was irrevocably altered with the premiere of 'Rick and Morty' on Adult Swim. The pilot episode introduced the world to the chaotic dynamic of Rick Sanchez, a sociopathic super-scientist, and his anxious grandson, Morty Smith. This debut was not just the launch of a new cartoon; it was the beginning of a cultural phenomenon. It set the stage for a series that would push boundaries with its blend of high-concept science fiction, nihilistic philosophy, and deeply dysfunctional family comedy, quickly evolving from a cult favorite to a mainstream powerhouse that would redefine success for its network.