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.

About the Author

Featured

8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres