TV Shows That Changed Networks: A Comprehensive Analysis

Throughout the history of television, the landscape of networks and streaming platforms has evolved significantly. Many shows have made the transition from one network to another, showcasing the ever-changing dynamics of the media industry. This article delves into various examples of TV shows that have switched networks over the years, from classic series to modern productions.

Historical Network Transitions

Early TV history is rife with instances of shows making network changes. Some notable examples include:

Leave It to Beaver: Transferred from CBS to ABC.

Father Knows Best: Moved from CBS to NBC and later back to CBS.

My Three Sons: Transferred from ABC to CBS, and then to NBC.

The Real McCoys: Moved from ABC to CBS, only to return to CBS.

Hazel: Transferred from NBC to CBS.

Later on, we see more instances of network changes:

Get Smart: Switched from NBC to CBS.

The Bionic Woman: Transferred from ABC to NBC.

Wonder Woman: Moved from ABC to CBS.

Taxi: Transferred from ABC to NBC.

Diff'rent Strokes: Moved from NBC to ABC.

Later Network Transitions

As the years progressed, additional examples of network changes have been observed:

JAG: Transferred from NBC to CBS.

Scrubs: Moved from ABC to NBC.

Last Man Standing: Transferred from ABC to Fox.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Moved from Fox to NBC.

American Idol: Transferred from Fox to ABC.

Contemporary Examples

Contemporary network transitions continue to shape the television landscape. Examples from recent years include:

Men Behaving Badly: Originally aired on ITV, the show moved to BBC-1, where it improved in quality.

Pokémon Anime: Faced a series of network changes, moving from Kids WB to Cartoon Network, then to Disney XD, and finally to Netflix.

American Dad: Transferred from Fox to TBS.

Supergirl: Moved from CBS to The CW.

Sesame Street: Initially aired on PBS, later resurfaced on HBO for its first run, and was subsequently rebroadcast on PBS.

Futurama: Originated on Fox, then moved to Comedy Central, and later to Hulu.

The Orville: Transferred from Fox to Hulu.

Clone Wars: Moved from Cartoon Network to Netflix and finally to Disney .

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Transferred from Fox to NBC.

Scrubs: Moved from ABC to NBC.

Star Trek: Originally aired on NBC, but the first episode still referenced the Christopher Pike era. Modern Netflix shows, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., are on both Netflix and ABC, with season 6 set to stream on ABC.

A notable pattern is the transition between traditional broadcast networks and streaming platforms, illustrating the changing dynamics in the TV industry.

Conclusion

The history of network transitions in television is a fascinating tale of shifting priorities, producer decisions, and industry trends. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect more of these transitions in the future, further enriching the landscape of TV shows and streaming content.