We're no longer in a so-called Golden Age dominated by a few great shows. But now there are golden nuggets everywhere, and that's a very good thing.

Is There Too Much Great TV or Too Little? | TIME.com

Because we’re planners here at Time magazine, with a month and a half left in 2013, I’m already working on my 10 Best TV series and episode lists. The other day, I was working on narrowing down my shortlist–or rather, my longlist–when I was struck by the number of names I had to sift through. Not the names of TV shows but of TV outlets.

Fifteen years ago, a critic’s year-end list would likely be dominated by shows from the major commercial networks and possibly PBS. A decade ago, it might be those networks plus HBO, Showtime, and the occasional wildcard. In 2013, though, my preliminary list of potential honorees includes not just those networks but FX, AMC, and Comedy Central. IFC, Sundance, and BBC America–oh, I almost forgot ABC Family! Netflix, which is not strictly speaking even a TV network. Next year, it’s very likely I may be considering shows from Amazon–Amazon!–a bookstore turned media outlet where, with Friday’s debut of Alpha House, you can watch original Garry Trudeau political satires and buy LED lightbulbs. By the year 2020, I fully expect the Emmy for Best Drama Series to be awarded to Costco.