Earlier this month, we asked CNN readers to vote for their favorite TV shows of 2012. To make narrowing it down a little bit easier, we divided up a long list of contenders into three categories: comedies, dramas and reality series. Here's how you voted:
Readers' favorites: Top 15 TV shows of 2012 —
Earlier this month, we asked CNN readers to vote for their favorite TV shows of 2012. To make narrowing it down a little bit easier, we divided up a long list of contenders into three categories: comedies, dramas and reality series. Here's how you voted:
Photo Illustration/Thinkstock
"How I Met Your Mother" debuted on CBS in 2005. With help from narrator Bob Saget, the sitcom tells the story of how Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) meets his future wife. Eight seasons in, viewers have yet to become acquainted with the lucky lady.
Comedies: No. 5: 'How I Met Your Mother' —
"How I Met Your Mother" debuted on CBS in 2005. With help from narrator Bob Saget, the sitcom tells the story of how Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) meets his future wife. Eight seasons in, viewers have yet to become acquainted with the lucky lady.
CBS
"The Daily Show" has aired on Comedy Central since 1996. Jon Stewart became host of the slightly re-named late-night program in 1999. It draws its comedy from current events.
No. 4: 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' —
"The Daily Show" has aired on Comedy Central since 1996. Jon Stewart became host of the slightly re-named late-night program in 1999. It draws its comedy from current events.
Comedy Central
Fox's "New Girl" has been a fan favorite since its September 2011 debut. The Zooey Deschanel vehicle also features comedic actors Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone.
No. 3: 'New Girl' —
Fox's "New Girl" has been a fan favorite since its September 2011 debut. The Zooey Deschanel vehicle also features comedic actors Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone.
Fox
ABC's "Modern Family," which has picked up a few<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2FSHOWBIZ%2FTV%2F09%2F19%2Femmy.awards%2Findex.html" target="_blank"> Emmy Awards</a> over the course of its four seasons, features an ensemble cast. Among the stars on Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd's family comedy are Ed O'Neill and Sofia Vergara.
No. 2: 'Modern Family' —
ABC's "Modern Family," which has picked up a few Emmy Awards over the course of its four seasons, features an ensemble cast. Among the stars on Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd's family comedy are Ed O'Neill and Sofia Vergara.
ABC
"The Big Bang Theory," created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, is airing its sixth season on CBS. The show's Thursday, December 13, episode garnered<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftvbythenumbers.zap2it.com%2F2012%2F12%2F14%2Ftv-ratings-thursday-big-bang-theory-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-greys-anatomy-scandal-the-x-factor-down%2F161799%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> more than 16 million viewers,</a> making it the most-watched program that night.
No. 1: 'The Big Bang Theory' —
"The Big Bang Theory," created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, is airing its sixth season on CBS. The show's Thursday, December 13, episode garnered more than 16 million viewers, making it the most-watched program that night.
"Castle" is in its fifth season on ABC. The crime dramedy, which debuted in 2009, routinely garners about <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftvbythenumbers.zap2it.com%2F2012%2F11%2F20%2Fmonday-final-ratings-dancing-with-the-stars-how-i-met-your-mother-adjusted-down%2F158386%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">10 million viewers </a>during its Monday night time slot.
Dramas: No. 5: 'Castle' —
"Castle" is in its fifth season on ABC. The crime dramedy, which debuted in 2009, routinely garners about 10 million viewers during its Monday night time slot.
ABC
"Homeland's" second season came to a close on December 16. The Showtime drama, starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, recently received four <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F12%2F15%2Fshowbiz%2Ftv%2Fhomeland-series-creator%2Findex.html%3Firef%3Dallsearch" target="_blank">Golden Globe nods.</a>
No. 4: 'Homeland' —
"Homeland's" second season came to a close on December 16. The Showtime drama, starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, recently received four Golden Globe nods.
HBO's "Game of Thrones" made its debut in April 2011. The fantasy program's second season finale garnered <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidetv.ew.com%2F2012%2F06%2F04%2Fgame-of-thrones-finale-ratings-2%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">4.2 million viewers</a>, a record for the series. The third season is set to premiere on March 31.
No. 3: 'Game of Thrones' —
HBO's "Game of Thrones" made its debut in April 2011. The fantasy program's second season finale garnered 4.2 million viewers, a record for the series. The third season is set to premiere on March 31.
HBO
Having aired on CBS since 2003, "NCIS" still appears to be a fan favorite. The police procedural revolves around a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
No. 2: 'NCIS' —
Having aired on CBS since 2003, "NCIS" still appears to be a fan favorite. The police procedural revolves around a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Richard Foreman/CBS
AMC's "The Walking Dead" is in its third season. Starring Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus and Laurie Holden, the zombie drama is one of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F10%2F23%2Fshowbiz%2Ftv%2Fwalking-dead-broadcast-tv-ew%2Findex.html" target="_blank">best-rated shows</a> on TV.
No. 1: 'The Walking Dead' —
AMC's "The Walking Dead" is in its third season. Starring Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus and Laurie Holden, the zombie drama is one of the best-rated shows on TV.
Courtesy Gene Page/AMC
Twelve years and 25 seasons since it debuted on CBS and "Survivor" is still a favorite show of CNN readers. Denise Stapley was recently crowned the winner of "Survivor: Philippines," beating <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F10%2F11%2Fshowbiz%2Ftv%2Ffacts-of-life-where-are-they-now%2Findex.html" target="_blank">"Facts of Life"</a> actress Lisa Whelchel.
Reality series: No. 5: 'Survivor' —
Twelve years and 25 seasons since it debuted on CBS and "Survivor" is still a favorite show of CNN readers. Denise Stapley was recently crowned the winner of "Survivor: Philippines," beating "Facts of Life" actress Lisa Whelchel.
CBS
Since 2005, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" has awarded the best celebrity ballroom dancer of the season with a mirror ball trophy. Kelly Monaco, Drew Lachey and J.R. Martinez are among the winners. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarquee.blogs.cnn.com%2F2012%2F11%2F28%2Fand-the-dwts-all-stars-champion-is%2F" target="_blank">Melissa Rycroft</a> won the latest season, where she faced off with former contestants on "DWTS: All-Stars."
No. 4: 'Dancing with the Stars' —
Since 2005, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" has awarded the best celebrity ballroom dancer of the season with a mirror ball trophy. Kelly Monaco, Drew Lachey and J.R. Martinez are among the winners. Melissa Rycroft won the latest season, where she faced off with former contestants on "DWTS: All-Stars."
ABC
History's "Pawn Stars," starring Corey Harrison, Rick Harrison and Richard Harrison, has been on the air for six seasons.
No. 3: 'Pawn Stars' —
History's "Pawn Stars," starring Corey Harrison, Rick Harrison and Richard Harrison, has been on the air for six seasons.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
CBS' "The Amazing Race" has aired in the United States since 2001. The Beekmans were declared the Season 21 winners on the December 9 episode.
No. 2: 'The Amazing Race' —
CBS' "The Amazing Race" has aired in the United States since 2001. The Beekmans were declared the Season 21 winners on the December 9 episode.
CBS
On December 17, "The Voice's" performance <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftvbythenumbers.zap2it.com%2F2012%2F12%2F18%2Ftv-ratings-monday-gossip-girl-up-a-tick-for-series-finale-how-i-met-your-mother-the-voice-mike-molly-up-hawaii-five-0-dips%2F162198%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">finale </a>garnered more than 13 million viewers. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarquee.blogs.cnn.com%2F2012%2F09%2F18%2Fusher-shakira-to-join-the-voice-in-the-spring%2F%3Firef%3Dallsearch" target="_blank">Usher and Shakira </a>will occupy the Big Red Chairs next season when they replace Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green as judges.
No. 1: 'The Voice' —
On December 17, "The Voice's" performance finale garnered more than 13 million viewers. Usher and Shakira will occupy the Big Red Chairs next season when they replace Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green as judges.
NBC