TV in HD is a tricky thing, as I said in my HD Guide entry (from earlier today) on the matter. The good news is that TV shows on Blu-ray offers wonderfully consistent and high quality results, and this year has seen a nice spread of new and catalog titles hit.
Catalog
Best of the Best
Star Trek: The Original Series Seasons 1-3
I expect that this will be the standard-bearer for catalog TV remasters for quite some time. From my review of Season 1:
"A few years ago, they completely restored the original series episodes in the process of adding new effects shots and audio for HDTV airing. Here they have included both versions, accessible via seamless branching. George Lucas looks like more of a selfish idiot than ever for being opposed to doing the same thing to his original Star Wars trilogy."
Best of the Best
Rome: The Complete Series
From my HD Guide entry on HBO Blu-rays:
"The biggest deal, for me, was finally seeing my favorite modern (22 hour) Roman epic in HD for the first time. In the interest of not getting myself into trouble, I set a strict limit of 20 minutes to taste-test it. I first popped in the DVD (for a then/now comparison) and gave it a good 15 minutes. The moment I got really comfortable, I jumped right up. In went the Blu-ray. About an hour later, I realized I was running hopelessly late for the day."
The Highly-Regarded But Unseen:
The Prisoner, Band of Brothers
I've never seen McGoohan's Prisoner, and I finally feel compelled to, based primarily on the recommendations of this set by friends who were severely disappointed by previous transfers.
New Release
Best of the Best
Nature's Most Amazing Events, Yellowstone: Battle for Life
The BBC's Earth series is the gold standard thus far for titles people can pull off the shelf and be wowed by. From my review of Yellowstone:
"The 1080i video track and DTS-HD Master Audio track will greatly exceed the quality of presentation available on a HD cable provider. No, you didn't read that wrong, this is a 1080i transfer rather than 1080p (probably in the interest of squeezing it onto one disc). Trust me, it still looks great."
Best of the Best
John Adams, Generation Kill
From my HD Guide entry on HBO Blu:
"The new generation of shows, like John Adams, Generation Kill and True Blood, have been shot with HD presentation in mind from the get-go. HBO is actually making the "BonusView" (pop-up trivia) option on these titles moderately interesting (glad someone is!)."
Best of the Best
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
The transfer from Ken Burns' preferred source (16mm) looks starkly different than the 4K HD digital jobs from BBC Earth. Preference in film stock and what one is used to will be Burns' biggest enemy going forward. As a 16mm transfer, this series looks amazing (though dark in places by design).
The Highly-Regarded But Unseen:
Mad Men Season 2, Pushing Daisies Season 2, Fringe Season 1
I would have loved to get a look at any of these, but I just didn't. Everyone I know who's bought them thinks they look fan-tastic, Fringe especially.
Discs of the Year is a look back at the year in disc releases and trends, from the best to the worst.