“The Sopranos”
The critically-acclaimed New Jersey mob drama averaged 3.5 million viewers per episode in Season 1 following its on Jan. 10, 1999, premiere.
“Deadwood”
This profanity-laden frontier tale pulled in 4.5 million viewers per episode during Season 1 in 2004.
“The Newsroom”
Aaron Sorkin‘s piercing gaze into the world of journalism averaged just under 2 million viewers an episode in its first season in 2012.
“Six Feet Under”
This somber examination of life and death averaged 5.3 million viewers per episode following its June 2001 premiere.
“Rome”
Life in the ancient empire was good enough to get 2.6 million viewers an episode in Season 1 in 2005.
“Carnivale”
This supernatural tale set in a traveling carnival earned 3.6 million viewers per episode in 2003.
“Boardwalk Empire”
Another Scorcese project, this show scored 3.2 million viewers per episode in its 2010 debut season.
“True Blood”
This bloody werewolf/vampire tale averaged 2 million viewers per episode after premiering on Sept. 7, 2008.
“True Detective”
The dark hunt for a serial killer managed to draw 2.3 million viewers per episode in Season 1.
“Game of Thrones”
The epic fantasy series averaged 2.5 million viewers per episode when it first fascinated fans in 2011.
“Vinyl”
Heading into its final episode of Season 1, the show is averaging 635,000 viewers per episode.