TV Shows That Changed Networks and Got Better
Some TV shows hit a rough patch, facing cancellation or low ratings, only to find a new home on a different network or platform. These moves can breathe fresh life into a series, letting it grow in ways it couldn’t before. I’ve put together a list of 15 shows that not only survived a network change but came out stronger, delivering better stories, sharper humor, or bolder ideas.
Whether it’s a sitcom finding its comedic groove or a drama diving deeper into its themes, these shows prove a change of scenery can work wonders. From streaming platforms to cable channels, each found a way to shine in their new homes, often thanks to more creative freedom or a better audience fit.
15. One Day at a Time (2017-2020)
This heartfelt sitcom about a Cuban-American family tackling real-world issues like immigration and identity struggled on Netflix. Ratings didn’t match its critical praise, and it faced cancellation after three seasons. Pop TV picked it up, giving it a new lease on life with a weekly format that suited its live-audience vibe.
The move let the show lean into deeper topics like generational trauma while keeping its humor sharp. Rita Moreno’s standout performance and Justina Machado’s emotional depth shone brighter, making the series feel tighter and more impactful, even if its final season was cut short by the pandemic.
14. Arrested Development (2003-2019)
This quirky comedy about the dysfunctional Bluth family was a critical darling on Fox but never pulled big ratings. After three seasons, it was canceled, only for Netflix to revive it years later. The streaming platform gave the show room to experiment with bold storytelling, like its Rashomon-style fourth season.
With a bigger budget and freedom from network constraints, the series brought back its all-star cast, including Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, for sharper, more ambitious episodes. I found the revived seasons funnier and more creative, cementing its cult status.
13. The Mindy Project (2012-2017)
Mindy Kaling’s romantic comedy about a quirky doctor struggled with declining viewership on Fox. After three seasons, it was dropped, but Hulu swooped in to save it. The streaming format allowed for edgier humor and more focus on social issues, free from network censorship.
The show’s fourth season, with its 26 episodes, felt bolder and more confident. I loved how Mindy’s love life and career struggles evolved, giving fans a satisfying conclusion that tied up loose ends while keeping the laughs coming.
12. The Killing (2011-2014)
This dark crime drama about a Seattle murder investigation hooked me with its gritty storytelling on AMC. But falling ratings led to its cancellation after three seasons. Netflix stepped in for a fourth, letting the show wrap up its mysteries with a tighter, more intense focus.
The streaming platform’s freedom allowed for a deeper dive into the emotional toll on detectives Sarah and Holder. The final season’s disturbing case felt more cinematic, making the show’s end a powerful payoff for longtime viewers.
11. UnReal (2015-2018)
This sharp satire of reality TV, centered on a producer named Rachel, was a critical hit on Lifetime but struggled with ratings after its debut season. Hulu picked it up for its final season, giving it a platform to lean into its dark humor and complex character arcs.
The move to streaming let the show explore Rachel’s backstory with more depth, keeping its biting take on shows like The Bachelor fresh. I found the final season’s focus on personal struggles and industry chaos more engaging than ever.
10. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
This heartfelt drama about a Texas high school football team faced budget cuts and low ratings on NBC. A unique deal with DirecTV’s 101 Network saved it, airing episodes there before NBC, giving the show a new home for its final seasons.
The partnership allowed for richer storytelling and deeper character development, especially for Coach Taylor and his family. I was hooked by how the show balanced small-town life with big emotional moments, making it a standout in its later years.
9. Manifest (2018-2023)
This mystery drama about a plane’s passengers facing strange phenomena was canceled by NBC after three seasons due to uneven ratings. Netflix, seeing its popularity on their platform, revived it for a sprawling fourth season, giving fans the closure they craved.
The streaming format let the show expand its supernatural elements and character arcs, making the story feel grander. I was impressed by how the final season tied up loose ends while keeping the suspense high.
8. Cougar Town (2009-2015)
Courteney Cox’s comedy about a wine-loving group of friends started on ABC with a focus on dating younger men but struggled to find its audience. TBS picked it up after three seasons, letting the show shift to a more ensemble-driven, laid-back vibe.
The new network’s relaxed approach let the cast’s chemistry shine, with funnier, more heartfelt episodes. I enjoyed how the show became less about its original premise and more about friendship, making it a cozy watch.
7. Community (2009-2015)
This quirky sitcom about a community college study group was always on the edge of cancellation at NBC due to low ratings. Yahoo! Screen saved it for a sixth season, fulfilling its ‘six seasons and a movie’ prophecy, with room for wilder, meta humor.
The streaming platform allowed longer episodes and crazier ideas, like a sci-fi paintball epic. I loved how the show leaned into its niche appeal, delivering some of its most creative episodes for dedicated fans.
6. JAG (1995-2005)
This military drama about Navy lawyers flopped on NBC after one season due to poor marketing and low ratings. CBS saw potential and picked it up, turning it into a hit with better time slots and a focus on action and patriotism.
The shift made the show a cornerstone of CBS’s lineup, running for nine more seasons and spawning NCIS. I found the later seasons more engaging, with stronger cases and a broader appeal that hooked a loyal audience.
5. Supergirl (2015-2021)
This superhero drama about Kara Danvers started on CBS but moved to The CW after one season, aligning it with other DC shows like The Flash. The network switch allowed for more crossovers and a tighter fit with its comic-book tone.
The CW’s focus on younger viewers let the show explore Kara’s growth with more depth and action. I was drawn to how the series felt more connected to the Arrowverse, making it a stronger player in the superhero lineup.
4. Lucifer (2016-2021)
This supernatural drama about the devil solving crimes in LA was canceled by Fox after three seasons due to low ratings. Netflix revived it, giving it room for longer episodes and bolder, racier content that matched its devilish charm.
The streaming platform’s global reach turned it into a massive hit, with deeper character arcs for Lucifer and Chloe. I found the Netflix seasons more serialized and emotionally rich, elevating the show to new heights.
3. You (2018-2025)
This psychological thriller about a obsessive stalker started on Lifetime with decent ratings but was dropped after one season. Netflix took it over, turning it into a global sensation with its dark, binge-worthy storytelling.
The move to streaming let the show push boundaries with more intense plots and visceral moments. I was hooked by how the later seasons explored Joe’s twisted psyche, making it a sharper, more addictive drama.
2. The Expanse (2015-2022)
This sci-fi epic about an intergalactic mystery struggled with high production costs on Syfy, leading to its cancellation after three seasons. Amazon Prime Video picked it up, giving it a bigger budget and a platform to expand its ambitious scope.
The move let the show dive deeper into its complex world and characters, with stunning visuals and tighter pacing. I was blown away by how the later seasons felt more epic, cementing its status as a sci-fi gem.
1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
This beloved comedy about a Brooklyn police precinct was canceled by Fox after five seasons, sparking a huge fan outcry. NBC picked it up within days, giving it three more seasons to shine with sharper humor and deeper themes.
The new network let the show tackle issues like police reform while keeping its goofy charm, with standout arcs for Jake and Holt. I loved how the later seasons felt more polished, delivering a perfect mix of laughs and heart.
Which of these shows did you follow to a new network, or did I miss one that got better after a switch? Drop your thoughts in the comments!