FX Networks took aim Sunday at the conventional wisdom that HBO is the breakaway leader in the fight for quality television, proclaiming that they are now neck-and-neck with the premium cable network.

Deploying a pie chart and bar graph that listed the broadcast and cable networks by the number of critics’ top 10 lists that featured their programs in 2014, FX Networks President John Landgraf pressed his case that the days of HBO’s dominance are over.

Landgraf’s presentation showed HBO with 250 mentions, followed by FX with 213—well ahead of the next closest network, AMC, at 74. Netflix (67) and Showtime (62) rounded out the top five.

“HBO is not the runaway leader anymore,” Landgraf told the assembled television critics. “FX has broken out of the pack, with HBO and FX absolutely dominating the race for quality in television.

The race for the best in television “is really only a competition between two channels, with all the others way way behind the two leaders,” he added.

With Landgraf’s appearance, FX Networks is essentially positioning itself as a premium brand without the premium cable subscription fee.

FX is making the move coming off of a banner year, with Landgraf telling the critics that “the FX report card for 2014 was our best by nearly every.”

The network finished 2014 as the number four network on cable among the Adults 18-49 demographic, and was home to four of the ten highest rated cable series.

But Landgraf said that ratings aren’t the key measure of success for FX.

“We’re not trying to be the highest rated network on television—we’re trying to be the best,” he said.

Still, the network does acknowledge that ratings can’t be ignored completely. In talking about the decision to cancel the critically-acclaimed but low-rated series The Bridge after two seasons, Landgraf said he “had a lot of regrets” about the cancellation, but at the end of the day “you have to pay some attention to the ratings.”

He also cited numerous creative challenges, including the fact that this was the first time FX had done a show based on a format. The serial killer storyline that worked so well overseas in the end wound up in an “uncofortable marriage” with America’s southern border.

Talking about the network’s current offerings, Landgraf said that the upcoming third season of The Americans is “even better” than the last, and “I really wish the Emmys would step up and take notice.” (Season two earned truckloads of praise but was completely shut out of Emmy nominations).

Landgraf says he sees the series running “at least” five seasons.

On the comedy side of the ledger, FX is giving Louis C.K. as much flexibility as it can in terms of making future seasons of Louie after the upcoming season—which premiers in April—finishes its run.

Landgraf told the critics that Louis C.K. wants to keep making the show, but it is a massive workload—he produces, writes, directs, and stars in the series. Then there’s his sold-out comedy tour.

All of that left him “a bit burned out” he said.

Louis C.K. fans can take heart in the news that FX announced it had picked up a new comedy pilot—Better Things—directed by the comedian and starring Louie’s Pamela Adlon as a single mom trying to make a living as a working actor. Adlon is the series creator. FX also announced Sunday it will broadcast an upcoming Louis C.K. comedy special.

Landgraf offered a few details about the upcoming second installment of Fargo, calling it “sprawling” and “ambitious,” and is set against the cultural shifts of the late 1970s, and features Ronald Reagan’s first presidential campaign.

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