Today (10 January) marks 20 years since the first ever episode of The Sopranos aired, setting in motion a ratings and cultural phenomenon that took place over six season and 86 episodes.
If we are in a “golden era of television,” then The Sopranos was surely the harbinger that ushered it in. Below are ten ways it changed TV forever, and inspired the creators of some of our favorite shows.
1. Premium drama
The Sopranos helped transform HBO from a fights-and-features cabler into a destination for critically-acclaimed drama. The fact that people had to subscribe to watch meant it was more important to make a show they loved, rather than one that simply reached as big an audience as possible. The result is ever higher quality cable shows, like Mad Men, Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, that go on to attract dedicated and committed fanbases.
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