It has been called by a number of different names: the Golden Age of Television, Peak TV, or Prestige Television. Each implies the same concept, that any particular series we currently watch is the pinnacle of the medium, only exceeded each following day with every new show. Although media historians differ, the consensus is that in 1999 The Sopranos (1999–2007)—followed by the rest of HBO’s subsequent lineup, from the short-lived Deadwood (2004–2006) and Rome (2005–2007) to the longer-lived The Wire (2002–2008), alongside other niches such as FX's The Shield (2002–2008)—ushered in a new era of artistic achievement for the boob tube.
