15 Shows That Got Worse After Changing Networks
Several TV shows declined in quality after moving from one network to another.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Switching networks often changes how a TV show is produced and written. Budgets, creative control, and cast stability can all shift, sometimes hurting the show’s quality. These 15 examples highlight how a move to a different network often led to weaker seasons and frustrated fans.
1. Scrubs
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Scrubs aired on NBC for most of its run and was known for mixing comedy with heartfelt storytelling. When it moved to ABC for its ninth season, many core cast members had left. The focus shifted to a new group of interns who did not connect with the audience in the same way. The final season is widely viewed as the weakest part of the series.
2. Community
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Community built a devoted following on NBC with clever writing and unique episodes. After NBC canceled it, Yahoo! Screen picked it up for a sixth season. The budget was smaller, and several key cast members were gone. Although still creative, it lacked the same energy and character chemistry that defined earlier seasons.
3. Arrested Development
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Arrested Development was praised during its first three seasons on Fox. When Netflix revived it, the structure of the episodes changed because the cast could not always film together. This made the storytelling feel fragmented and less engaging. Fans and critics agree that the revival seasons did not match the quality of the original run.
4. The Killing
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The Killing premiered on AMC with a gripping mystery that drew strong attention. After AMC canceled it, Netflix revived the show. The later seasons stretched the story in ways that felt less natural and more forced. Many viewers believed it lost the intensity that made the first season stand out.
5. Futurama
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Futurama originally aired on Fox, where it built a loyal audience with sharp humor and inventive plots. After its cancellation, Comedy Central revived the show. While still popular, the new episodes often leaned more on crude jokes and less on clever science fiction storytelling. Fans generally see the revival years as less consistent than the original run.
6. Cougar Town
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Cougar Town started on ABC with a mix of humor and heart that gained a following. When it moved to TBS, the writing style shifted. The new tone felt uneven, and the storylines became less engaging. The later seasons struggled to maintain the same level of quality.
7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for five seasons on The WB before moving to UPN. The network change also brought a darker tone and new storylines. Some of these arcs were praised, but many felt the show had lost some of its earlier balance. For many fans, the final seasons were less consistent than the earlier ones.
8. Roswell
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Roswell built a dedicated fan base during its run on The WB. After the switch to UPN, the show’s focus shifted more toward action and science fiction elements. This took attention away from the character-driven stories that made it appealing at first. As a result, its audience declined until the series ended.
9. American Idol
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American Idol was a cultural phenomenon for many years on Fox. When ABC revived the show, it never regained the same level of attention. Viewers felt the format was outdated and the judging lacked the spark of the original seasons. The move confirmed that its peak years had already passed.
10. Project Runway
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Project Runway was a standout series on Bravo with a strong reputation in the fashion industry. When it moved to Lifetime, the show’s presentation and tone shifted. Many viewers felt the challenges seemed less authentic and more staged. The change in networks marked a decline in its credibility.
11. The Expanse
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The Expanse began on Syfy and was praised for its detailed world-building and tight storytelling. After Amazon revived it, the production quality improved visually. However, the pacing became slower, and the tone changed. Some fans appreciated the shift, while others found it less gripping than before.
12. Chappelle’s Show
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Chappelle’s Show was a massive hit on Comedy Central but fell apart after Dave Chappelle left during production of the third season. The network tried to continue with “lost episodes.” Without Chappelle’s full involvement, the material lacked the quality and impact of earlier seasons. The attempt is remembered as a sharp decline in the show’s legacy.
13. Last Man Standing
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Last Man Standing ran for six seasons on ABC before being canceled. Fox later revived it, but the tone changed noticeably. The show leaned more into political humor and less on family-centered stories. This shift divided the audience and led to a less favorable reception.
14. Supergirl
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Supergirl premiered on CBS with a bright and optimistic tone. When it moved to The CW, it became more heavily tied into the larger Arrowverse franchise. The increased focus on crossovers and superhero action reduced the depth of its standalone storytelling. The series lost some of what made it unique in its first season.
15. Lucifer
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Lucifer originally aired on Fox as a mix of crime drama and supernatural storytelling. When Netflix revived it, the show became darker and leaned more heavily on romance and melodrama. While it gained new viewers, many longtime fans noticed a shift away from its original balance. The later seasons were popular but not the same in tone or style.