DJariya

Obviously most here prefer to watch cable developed and produced drama series. Just wanted to see what the majority here thinks is the best basic cable network for producing original scripted dramas?

My personal favorites are FX and TNT. FX for quality, gritty dramas. TNT for more escapism entertainment.

AMC's development has sucked lately.

My Other Self

Based off of shows I currently and have watched in the past, FX easily wins for me.

Second would currently be A&E, because of Bates Motel and Longmire.

PhantomStranger

I think AMC kind of stumbled into The Walking Dead. It would almost certainly be a better series on a different network.

Red Dog

F/X has been doing it the longest (going back to The Shield and Nip/tuck) and I still watch more of their offerings than any other. It's not even close IMO -- I'm pretty much watching some F/X drama cycling through the year. Can't say that about any of the other cablenets.

Jericho

It's either FX or AMC. AMC's high notes are higher (Breaking Bad, Mad Men), but FX has been doing it longer and more consistently IMO.

mwbmis

It's a question of top quality vs total output. I vote quality.

IMO, two of the finest shows in TV history aired on AMC. FX has had some quality shows, but I don't think it can compete with that. They only thing they've done that I think is truly upper level competitive is Fargo, but that was a miniseries, thus slightly easier to nail down.

I don't think any of the other channels really belong in the conversation.

hdnmickey

Tie between FX and AMC. I really enjoyed AMC's "Turn", but it seems very few got into it. And of course they have Mad Men and TWD. But "Fargo" and "The Bridge" really put FX at the top again.

writer106

It is also tie between FX and AMC for me. I think A&E in time will get to AMC level.

DJariya

With Longmire and Bates Motel, A&E is off to a promising start in quality, but they are still mostly known for producing reality junk.

Orbi-Wan Techno

Still ticked at the way The Glades ended....

Deftones

Definitely FX. While AMC has had or currently has some great shows, FX has been doing quality far longer than them.

bluetoast

Even though I'm not watching anything on it currently, FX. Plus unlike AMC, they actually have a wide variety of comedy, which AMC might figure out after it's too late. However I did I bail on Rescue Me since that started to suck ass during season 3 or so.

Red Dog

Yeah, the comedy is gravy for F/X between Louie, Sunny, The League, and Archer.

cleaver

I went FX, but if you switched Turn and The Americans I'd go with AMC

writer106

Yeah, they need to do away with the reality junk.

writer106

I agree with you on that. Other basic cable networks haven't done too well when it comes to comedy shows.

Shannon Nutt

If FX didn't already have the crown, it sealed it with FARGO, which gets my vote for 2014's best new show.

Bill Needle

I checked my series record list and the only three currently still in production are Vikings (HIST) Walking Dead (AMC), and possibly Fargo (FX) if they do another season. Vikings is an import though, so by default that only leaves AMC for me.

That'sAllFolks

I think I'd have to go with AMC: Breaking Bad (of course), Mad Men, Halt and Catch Fire, Walking Dead, Hell on Wheels (which is pretty good) and then Rubicon, which I think was just too sophisticated for normal audiences.

The other network which I think is almost as good and hasn't been mentioned:
USA -- Suits (best current show on TV), White Collar, Covert Affairs, Royal Pains (which is OK), Burn Notice, and don't forget Psych and Monk, 2 of my all-time favorite comedy-dramas. Most shows on this network are pretty light-hearted, but good nonetheless.

johnnysd

Me too and ratings were the best it had ever gotten. Was KIA the only advertiser interested in the show?

OldBoy

Mad Men and Breaking Bad are 2 of my favs of all-time so that takes my vote...

dex14

FX and it's not contest for me. They've been doing it longer and most consistently. AMC may have 2 of the best shows of all time, but that may be it. Everything else they've offered lately I've only watched a few episodes before I gave up.

bluetoast

Oldboy, where the fuck were you man? You should have made this poll.

writer106

That is what I like about USA shows. They are starting to do darker shows, their upcoming shows Rush and Satisfaction are examples. I wouldn't be surprised if USA does a TV adaption of a book series later on.