More than 45 television shows are shot in metro Atlanta, but one in particular devours the rest in the ratings world: “The Walking Dead.”

AMC’s dark but addictive zombie drama has grown in popularity every year since its debut three years ago. It now draws close to 20 million viewers a week. Only CBS shows “NCIS” and ‘The Big Bang Theory” and a few NFL football games draw more total viewers.

But for many TV shows to survive and thrive (especially on cable), 2 million to 4 million viewers are plenty.

Here are the top 13 most popular shows shot in metro Atlanta, based on the total viewership of shows including DVR usage for up to a week after the original airing as compiled by Nielsen Media Research.

1. “The Walking Dead,” AMC

Where it's shot: mostly Senoia

What it's about: post-apocalyptic zombie life in Georgia

Ratings: 19 million

Status: The second half of Season 4 returns Feb. 9.

2. (tie) “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Bravo

Where it's shot: all over town

What it's about: Six metro Atlanta women live their lives in front of the camera in pursuit of (often petty) drama.

Ratings: 3.9 million

Status: The sixth season is airing at 8 p.m. Sundays.

2. (tie) "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta," VH1

Where it's shot: all over town

What it's about: artists in the Atlanta hip-hop business who were mostly not very famous until the show became a huge success

Ratings: 3.9 million

Status: The third season is set to air in 2014.

3. (tie) "The Vampire Diaries," the CW

Where it's shot: Covington and other parts of metro Atlanta

What it's about: supernatural happenings in a fictional Virginia town

Ratings: 3.8 million

Status: The fifth season is airing at 8 p.m. Thursdays.

3. (tie) “Devious Maids,” Lifetime

Where it's shot: primarily at EUE Screen Gems, Lakewood

What it's about: Beverly Hills maids

Ratings: 3.8 million

Status: Its second season is set to debut in 2014.

4. “The Originals,” the CW

Where it's shot: Conyers and nearby cities

What it's about: a spinoff of "The Vampire Diaries" about vampires in New Orleans

Ratings: 3.3 million

Status: The first season is airing at 8 p.m. Tuesdays.

5. “The Game,” BET

Where it's shot: EUE Screen Gems

What it's about: A spinoff of "Girlfriends," this dramedy set fictionally in San Diego and focused on football wives debuted on the CW but migrated to BET in 2011.

Ratings: 3 million

Status: Its seventh season is set to air in 2014.

6. “Drop Dead Diva,” Lifetime

Where it's shot: mostly Peachtree City

What it's about: A California model dies but returns to Earth in the body of a plus-sized lawyer.

Ratings: 2.9 million

Status: The sixth season is set to air in 2014.

7. “Single Ladies,” VH1

Where it's shot: a set in southwest Atlanta

What it's about: Single women in Atlanta grapple with relationship ups and downs.

Ratings: 2.6 million

Status: It returns in early January for a third season.

8. “Archer,” FX

Where it's produced: Floyd County Productions in Atlanta

9. “Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots,” OWN

Where it's shot: Tyler Perry Studios

What it's about: a soap opera focused on wealthy families in Savannah

Ratings: 2.35 million

Status: Season 2 is to debut in January.

10. (tie) “Sunday Best,” BET

Where it's shot: EUE Screen Gems

What it's about: a reality competition show seeking the best gospel singer

Ratings: 2.1 million

Status: Season 7 will begin in the summer of 2014.

10. (tie) “Let’s Stay Together,” BET

Where it's shot: Tyler Perry Studios

What it's about: a relationships sitcom focused on African-American couples

Ratings: 2.1 million

Status: Season 4 is to debut in early 2014.

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