It was a big year for basic cable, where shows like "Sons of Anarchy" and "Duck Dynasty" outrated their head-to-head competition on the broadcast networks, at least among advertiser-friendly demographics. And not hit was bigger in the demo this fall — broadcast or cable — than "The Walking Dead." For the 2012-13 TV season, the AMC zombie drama is the top-rated series on television (excluding sports) among adults 18-49. Given all this success, it's not surprising at all that the show has been renewed for a fourth season (the third resumes on Feb. 10), but it is very surprising that Glen Mazzara is out as showrunner.

-Alan Sepinwall