Famous author Stephen King acknowledges that The Sopranos is one of the most significant series in television history, but he claims that FX's The Shield had a greater impact. In a statement on the social media platform Threads, King argued that The Shield was more effective in changing television than The Sopranos. According to him, The Shield reshaped TV with its antihero main character and ongoing storytelling, reaching a broader audience than The Sopranos, especially in terms of accessibility.

Premiering on HBO in 1999, The Sopranos was an unprecedented production at the time, turning the norms and culture of the era upside down by making mob boss Tony Soprano the protagonist. The series achieved tremendous success, winning 21 Emmy Awards and opening the door to the era of prestige television. The current success of shows like Breaking Bad, Succession, and Mad Men is largely a result of The Sopranos paving the way for cinematic quality in television.

According to Stephen King's argument, the primary reason The Shield has a wider impact is that, while HBO is a premium channel, FX is included in most American households' package services. This allowed The Shield to air in a more accessible position, potentially reaching millions of viewers.

The Shield, which premiered in 2002, began airing three years after The Sopranos. The series centers on Detective Vic Mackey, a corrupt LAPD officer, depicting his double life as he makes secret deals while upholding the law. Starring Michael Chiklis, the show featured talented actors such as Michael Jace, Jay Karnes, CCH Pounder, Benito Martinez, Catherine Dent, and Walton Goggins. The series ran for seven seasons, concluding in 2008.

Despite receiving a 90% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Shield did not achieve the same level of recognition and prestige as The Sopranos. In contrast to The Sopranos' 21 Emmys, The Shield won only one Emmy Award, which was for Michael Chiklis in the Best Actor category during its first season. As a result, it is possible to observe that The Shield's significance has diminished over time; however, Stephen King may succeed in bringing this series back into the spotlight thanks to his social media influence and knowledge of cinema and television.