History's Best Selling TV Shows of 2010

At the dawn of the new millennium, 2010 saw a swell surge of Y2K fever and early digital revolution in the world of tv! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like Louie and Sherlock, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like Louis C.K. and Steven Moffat proved their mettle with Boardwalk Empire, delivering craftsmanship that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. Louie

   Released in 2010 by Louis C.K., FX

   On June 29, 2010, FX premiered "Louie," a series that would redefine the boundaries of the television sitcom. In a landscape where multi-camera, laugh-track-heavy comedies were still prevalent, "Louie" arrived as a breath of fresh, albeit often melancholic, air. Its debut marked the arrival of the 'auteur' comedy on basic cable, granting comedian Louis C.K. unprecedented creative control. This premiere introduced audiences to a wholly unique format that blended his stand-up routines with surreal, cinematic vignettes about his fictionalized life. The show's arrival signaled a shift in television, proving that a deeply personal, artistically ambitious, and genre-bending comedy could find a home and a dedicated audience, paving the way for a new wave of creator-driven series.

2. Sherlock

   Released in 2010 by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, BBC One

   On July 25, 2010, British television delivered a jolt of creative energy with the premiere of 'Sherlock' on BBC One. The episode, titled 'A Study in Pink,' introduced audiences to a 21st-century incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective. In an era saturated with traditional crime procedurals, this modern-day adaptation felt revolutionary. It brought Sherlock Holmes out of the Victorian fog and into the glare of modern London, complete with smartphones, GPS, and forensic science. The date marked the beginning of a global phenomenon, establishing a new high-water mark for literary adaptations and turning its lead actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, into household names overnight.

3. Boardwalk Empire

   Released in 2010 by Terence Winter, HBO

   On September 19, 2010, HBO unveiled its next great prestige drama with the premiere of 'Boardwalk Empire'. The debut was one of the most anticipated television events of the year, largely due to its incredible pedigree: it was created by 'The Sopranos' writer Terence Winter and the pilot episode was directed by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition's dawn in 1920, the premiere introduced viewers to the lavish, corrupt, and dangerous world of Atlantic City treasurer Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson. The episode, costing a reported $18 million, immediately established the show's cinematic scale, complex characters, and unflinching look at the crime and politics of the era, signaling the arrival of a major new entry in television's golden age.

4. Borgen

   Released in 2010 by Adam Price, DR1

   On September 26, 2010, Danish public broadcaster DR1 aired the first episode of 'Borgen,' a political drama that would soon captivate its home nation and eventually the world. This date marked the beginning of a television phenomenon that transcended language barriers, offering a sophisticated look into the world of coalition politics. For viewers in Denmark, it was a timely and engrossing reflection of their own political system. For the international audience that would soon discover it, the premiere was the starting point for a series that would become a flagship of the 'Nordic Noir' wave, introducing the principled and complex Birgitte Nyborg, whose unexpected rise to power became one of television's most compelling modern stories.

5. Downton Abbey

   Released in 2010 by Julian Fellowes, ITV

   On September 26, 2010, British television audiences were introduced to the Crawley family and their servants as the first episode of 'Downton Abbey' premiered on ITV. The debut was highly anticipated, coming from the pen of Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, who had previously explored the British class system in the film 'Gosford Park.' Set in 1912, the premiere immediately established the central conflict: the sinking of the Titanic creates an inheritance crisis for the Earl of Grantham, as his heirs have perished at sea. This date marks the beginning of a television phenomenon that would not only dominate Sunday night viewing in the UK but also become a massive global export, captivating audiences worldwide with its blend of historical drama, romance, and upstairs-downstairs intrigue.