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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