With so many streaming networks out today, more and more shows are switching platforms. Instead of network television, show creators are choosing streaming networks like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max, to name a few. Some shows that have been off the air for quite some time have even chosen streaming services as their new platform for reboots and spinoffs.
There are even shows that have changed networks at the start of new seasons. Sometimes shows switch to streaming for financial gain while others change to streaming for the opportunity to share unrestricted content. Regardless of the reason, some of the more popular shows on network television have switched to streaming.
The Mindy Project (From Fox To Hulu)
The Mindy Project was a romantic comedy created by Mindy Kaling, who also starred in the show as the series lead, Dr. Mindy Lahiri. In the comedy, Mindy lived in New York and balanced her time between being a gynecologist and finding love.
After originally releasing on Fox in 2012, the show switched gears and moved to Hulu for its final three seasons. While there were a few controversies on and off the show, The Mindy Project concluded on Hulu in 2017 when Mindy Kaling’s schedule grew too busy.
Community (From NBC To Yahoo! Screen)
Community revolved around Jeff Winger’s mission to go back to school after lying about his degree and is then fired from his law firm. Now enrolled at Greendale Community College, Winger becomes friends with an unlikely group of people and a friend group was formed. The show was known for its funny characters and outlandish storylines.
For the first five seasons, Community was on NBC. For the sixth and final season, Community switched from NBC to the streaming service Yahoo! Screen. As for the change in platforms, its star Joe McHale told Metro Weekly, “Yahoo paid tons of money for it because they knew that people were watching it. NBC just never liked it. They did not know what it was. ”
Designated Survivor (From ABC To Netflix)
Tom Kirkman never sought to be the President of the United States but that’s exactly what happened as one of the only cabinet members who survived an attack during the State of the Union address. On Designated Survivor, Kirkman became president overnight and had to adapt quickly as a regular family man to one of the most powerful men in the world.
The series lasted for three seasons, with the first two premiering on ABC. For season 3, the show left the network and went to Netflix. Many felt the move ruined the series but it was eventually canceled for low ratings.
Lucifer (From Fox To Netflix)
In 2016, Fox took the DC Comics character, Lucifer, and made an urban fantasy based on his life. Instead of Hell, Lucifer changed locations to Los Angeles where he opened a nightclub and works with the LAPD.
On Fox, Lucifer lasted three seasons and was eventually canceled because of low viewership. However, Netflix swooped in and continued the series for another three seasons where it did much better in ratings and viewership. According to Deadline, Lucifer was one of the most successful shows on Netflix with 8.3 billion minutes of streaming. In this show’s case, switching platforms saved its reputation.
Arrested Development (From Fox To Netflix)
Arrested Development had funny main characters, an interesting storyline, and a comfortable spot on the Fox network for the first three seasons. The sitcom followed Michael Bluth and his complicated family as he moved back to Orange County to work in the family business after his dad was arrested. What followed were hilarious scenes with his complicated family as he tried to find a balance.
In 2006, the series was canceled on Fox but five years later Netflix picked up the sitcom, added new episodes, and got another two seasons out of it.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (From NBC To Netflix)
Before premiering in 2015, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was originally supposed to be aired on NBC. With Tina Fey and Robert Carlock as the show’s creators, they had a long-lasting relationship with NBC. However, when it came down to the time of year the show was releasing and the available timeslots, Fey and Carlock made the decision to switch networks before it even came out, according to Business Insider.
In March 2015, Unbreakable was officially released and came out with four hilarious seasons. In 2020, Netflix released an interactive movie, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend that had small details to get viewers involved while watching.
The Orville (From Fox To Hulu)
The Orville was a science-fiction show that premiered on Fox in 2017. Unlike other shows in the same genre, The Orville is also a comedy that parodies shows like Star Trek. The funny show follows the workers on the USS Orville and the adventures they get themselves into space.
The Orville had a series of fun guest stars that kept audiences interested for two seasons before it switched networks and jumped to Hulu this past June for a third season. There’s no word on a fourth season as of yet but TV Series Finale noted that it could be hard to get the entire cast back together for season 4.
Futurama (From Fox To Comedy Central To Hulu)
Futurama was an incredibly well-written and well-done animated satire that first premiered in 1999. The comedy saw the character Fry adapt to a new reality of waking up 1,000 years in the future after being frozen for all that time. He was taken in by a relative from the future who introduced him to their way of life and a hilarious new set of characters and funny quotes.
Initially shown on Fox, the network canceled the series and it was picked up by Comedy Central from 2008 to 2013. However, in February 2022, it was announced that Hulu was picking up the series and adding another season (set to premiere in 2023). with 20 episodes.
Infinity Train (From Cartoon Network To HBO Max)
The animated series Infinity Train had a strong first season on Cartoon Network before another season was added. Fans were surprised when HBO Max took ownership and added another two seasons as opposed to Cartoon Network.
Not much is known about the change to streaming but Inverse noted that the show’s creator is hoping for a movie that dissects the relationship between Hazel and Amelia if a fifth season does not come to be.
UnREAL (From Lifetime To Hulu)
One of Lifetime’s more popular TV shows, UnREALswitched gears in 2018 and moved to Hulu for a fourth and final season.
The unique drama showed the complex sides of reality TV. The main character Rachel Goldberg worked on a reality dating series called Everlasting as a producer where it was her job to turn the series back into a success while dealing with pressures from her job and personal life. According to TV Line, UnREAL switched to streaming because of a new business deal between Hulu and A + E Studios.
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