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[Jonm1010]

No, HBO isn't consistent enough to be the best. Especially with that Twilight porn show, and Girls.

Who could you POSSIBLY say is more consistent for the last decade+??

 

[Bobby Roberts]

The question in the OP says "Does" as in present tense, not "Did" as in past tense.

So lets lay out the list:

HBO - Current Programming:
The Newsroom
Veep
Girl
Life's Too Short
Game of Thrones
Boardwalk Empire
Treme
Eastbound & Down
True Blood
Curb Your Enthusiasm

FX - Current Programming
Sons of Anarchy
Justified
American Horror Story
The Americans
Louie
Wilfred
Archer
The League
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Anger Management
Legit

AMC - Current Programming
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
The Walking Dead
Hell on Wheels
The Killing

Showtime - Current Programming
Dexter
Shameless
The Borgias
Homeland
Californication
Nurse Jackie
The Big C
Episodes
House of Lies

Looking at that list, it's either HBO or FX. I'd personally go with FX. Also, AMC is fucked after 2014.

 

[Big-E]

AMC is nowhere close to HBO. Outside of Madmen and Breaking Bad they have little of value as the Killing is middling at best and Walking Dead is just pulp crap that is just kind of there (though I watch it). HBO has legitimate programming options in a variety of categories. They have good comedy's, documentary's, news shows with Vice just stating up. HBO is still the big daddy and has been the big daddy for over a decade now.

In terms of where I would place AMC, I think they are behind FX as FX has had and still has some truly great shows in the Shield and Sons and now the Americans. The League is also one of the best comedy's going.

Honorable mention goes to Starz for the fantastic Spartacus. Only one show but fuck did they pull that one show off.

EDIT: Forgot Showtime. Love the Borgias.

 

[RedBullEnergy]

Yep, apart from the BBC obviously.

Haha No. BBC shows (dramas) are so predictable, they hire very average writers and are scared of taking risks (you would never get Thrones, Soprano's, Wire level of violence or sex) let alone give any serious budgets to even long running shows. Doctor Who is appallingly bad compared to the equivalent most popular US based series'.

I'd happily live without BBC if that were a choice (which it should be).

 

[BertramCooper]

Yeah, BBC has produced some phenomenal comedies, but I don't think I've ever been blown away by a BBC drama - at least not in the past decade.

Granted, I'm American and I don't see everything they have to offer, but I'm pretty sure if there were a BBC drama in the same league as Mad Men or Breaking Bad, I'd know about it.

(Sorry, Sherlock fans.)

 

[ElectricBlue187]

I think AMC is the best ratio of greatness to crap right now but my favorite show is on HBO

 

[Duane Cunningham]

I think HBO, despite not being at their historical peak by any means, is still king. Boardwark Empire and GoT are both shows where every time an episode ends, I lament having to wait a week. And Newsroom and Girls are great too, although some people don't "get" them. Actually, that's kind of true of BE, too.

Really, HBO has taken some major risks with shows that require the viewer to meet the show halfway and get in the show's mindset. I think for the most part, it's worked.

I even still enjoy True Blood quite a bit, just because I understand that the point of the show for a while now (maybe all along) has been to see how much further they'll push the campiness and ridiculousness. The less seriously you take TB, the better a show it becomes.


Anyway, I like AMC's big 3, but overall, HBO still has them beat in my book. Showtime? Eh... Dexter has become a huge chore to watch, Homeland is okay but never lives up to early season 1. Shameless is pretty good.

 

[Shadow of the BEAST]

we have hbo, and amc.

but also netflix, bbc, history channel, fx and showtime.

 

[Baleoce]

HBO had the animated Ricky Gervais Show too (the re-tellings of the old XFM radio conversations). Probably my favourite US channel.

 

[Macmanus]

HBO is the winner currently.

In a few years time (or less) Netflix will enter this conversation.

 

[Leucrota]

Am I missing something? AMC has only one excellent show (BB), while their other shows are nothing to write home about, except Mad Men I guess.

HBO puts out quality shows consistently, and even the underrated shows, like Lucky Louie, trump tops shows on other channels.

 

[SirIgbyCeaser]

I watched the pilot of Hannibal today, I was surprised to see the nbc logo, but I was impressed. The actor quality at least is of HBO. I pilot can often be the best in a whole series though, usually because the creators have control.

 

[Rootbeer]

hbo, showtime, fx, amc... in a world of hundreds of channels these are the only ones upping their game? we need an A la carte system and we need it now. Looks like history channel is trying to get in on the action... which is... wrong. I'd prefer if everything were just on netflix though. including same day or next day additions for new shows. i'd pay $20 or so per month for that, who wouldn't

And yeah I really feel like HBO has fallen (I can't get enough of GoT though) and AMC better have some plans for when breaking bad ends.

 

[jett]

Historically? Yes.

Currently? No.

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

I really wish Homeland hadn't shit the bed. Dexter and Californication are guilty pleasures, neither of which is as good as it used to be. I enjoy Shameless sometimes, but it can be grating. Like they're trying way too God damn hard to be shocking. Everyone is fucking miserable, its not fun to watch sometimes.

Don't have HBO, never seen BWE, only a few episodes of GoT and I'm 3 seasons behind on True Blood.

Man Men and Breaking Bad are my favorite current running shows.

 

[trilobyte]

Even their 'failed' projects are amazing

I recently re-watched Carnivale and now re-watching Rome

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

AMC automatically wins because of Breaking Bad.

No it doesn't. BB is great but does not come close to matching HBO's output.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

HBO is the winner currently.

In a few years time (or less) Netflix will enter this conversation.

definitely with House of Cards they've established their game. The Emmy's will be interesting this year with their nominations when that show is included.

 

[B For Bendetta]

Best production values probably

 

[ElectricBlue187]

HBO is the winner currently.

In a few years time (or less) Netflix will enter this conversation.

Lillyhammer was a swing and miss but House of Cards is right up there with the best and they've got a bunch of cool shows coming soon + Sense8 eventually

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_original_programs_distributed_by_Netflix#Future_programming

 

[Camp Lo]

I thinks yes. /Omar

 

[Espresso]

Speaking of HBO shows, is the rumored Entourage movie ever getting made?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Speaking of HBO shows, is the rumored Entourage movie ever getting made?

not if they are smart. That ship sailed.

 

[RobbieH]

Currently: HBO > FX > AMC > Showtime.
Historically: HBO > everything to the extent that it's not worth ranking the rest.

 

[Raistlin]

I'd say they are certainly the most consistent.

Currently: HBO > FX > AMC > Showtime.
Historically: HBO > everything to the extent that it's not worth ranking the rest.

Pretty much

 

[Jarnet87]

Consistency. They've created great shows since the mid/late 90s. I agree that sometimes they pull the plug too quickly on a show.

 

[CrunchyB]

EDIT: Forgot Showtime. Love the Borgias.

Yes, The Borgias is a fantastic show. It's almost as good as Rome and better than Game of Thrones.

not if they are smart. That [Entourage] ship sailed.

You'd think that, but they greenlit the movie last January. Insane.