7 TV Shows that changed networks and actually got better

Cancellations of TV shows can feel like a punch in the gut, especially when one's favorite show is cut despite having more stories left untold. However, sometimes that farewell is followed by a surprising second chance. Over the years, a few programs have shifted from one network to another and, against the odds, thrived in the process. Whether due to greater creative freedom, a larger budget, fewer constraints, or simply a better environment, these network transitions allowed shows to evolve into improved versions of themselves.

What's interesting is how these transitions usually revamped not only the storylines, but the fandoms themselves. Some programs were saved by streaming, some by cable specialty channels but all of them achieved something their old networks could not. In an era where most shows that get canceled go down into the depths of obscurity, these fortunate few beat the odds and showed that change can be a very good thing.

From hellish drama and biting comedies to sci-fi blockbusters and sentimental reboots, these seven television shows didn't merely leap, they flourished. Here's a glimpse at the shows that changed networks and ended up getting better.

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TV Shows that changed networks and actually got better

1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX to NBC)

When FOX canceled Brooklyn Nine-Nine in 2018, people were upset, but NBC came in like a hero. The shift wasn't merely a save; it injected the show with creative renewal. NBC granted the writers greater autonomy to explore relevant issues such as police reform and mental health without sacrificing its quick wit. Season 6, NBC's first season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, featured tighter storytelling and more substantial character arcs-particularly for Rosa and Holt. Additionally, the network's promotion brought in new fans. Even the final season of 2021 reached its emotional and comedic highs that transcended its FOX past.

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2. Lucifer (FOX to Netflix)

FOX canceled Lucifer following Season 3, ending it in mid-air with broken hearts. Enter Netflix, which transformed the devilishly great series into something much braver. Freed from network shackles, Lucifer opened up to darker colors, more serialized storylines, and edgier comedy. Seasons 4–6 introduced sophisticated theological concepts, more robust romance, and a massive improvement in visual effects. The last season even trended globally and received critical acclaim for its well-deserved ending. Netflix's international reach made it accumulate a bigger fandom, making Lucifer a cult favorite into a mainstream supernatural powerhouse.

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3. The Expanse (Syfy to Amazon Prime Video)

The Expanse was lauded on Syfy but stifled by budget constraints and lackluster marketing. Amazon Prime Video stepped in following Season 3, and the show became a sci-fi juggernaut. With increased spending and more creative freedom, the show featured richer visuals, space battles appeared cinematic, and richer storytelling. Characters such as Amos and Drummer became fan favorites due to enhanced development. The last three seasons provided suspenseful political intrigue and philosophical resonance, satisfying novel readers and converts alike. Amazon's confidence in the show also restored sci-fi TV credibility and made The Expanse one of the few television shows to wind down on an upswing.

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4. One Day at a Time (Netflix to Pop TV)

Netflix axed this fan-favorite reboot in 2019 after three seasons, and huge protests erupted from the fans. Pop TV brought it back to life, and though the ratings decreased, the quality of the show got better. Free from the binge format on Netflix, the weekly structure on Pop provided enough time to tackle issues such as generational trauma, immigration, and LGBTQ+ issues. Rita Moreno was still a scene-stealing legend, and Justina Machado's performance had depth. Despite production challenges like the pandemic-truncated Season 4, the writing tightened up, the live-audience atmosphere enhanced comedic timing, and the critics praised it as an unsung gem performing well in its new environment.

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5. Arrested Development (FOX to Netflix)

Arrested Development languished on FOX in the face of critical success. The 2013 revival on Netflix introduced creative risks, such as Rashomon-themed storytelling in Season 4 and the budget to bring back the original cast. Although early reception was divided because of its episodic structure, Netflix retrospectively rearranged Season 4 in chronological order, enhancing flow and continuity. Season 5 entered a more traditional beat, rewarding longtime viewers with fulfilling character journeys, particularly in Michael and George Michael's shifting relationship. Though there were reports of cast friction, the series' Netflix lifespan breathed new life into it, broadened its international fan base, and solidified its cult.

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6. Nashville (ABC to CMT)

When ABC canceled Nashville after four seasons, CMT took a risk, and to everyone's surprise, it paid off. The change permitted the show to return to its country roots and explore more character-driven storytelling. With a smaller network, there were fewer content limitations, allowing addiction, death, and struggles of the artistic life to breathe. Hayden Panettiere's Juliette Barnes became more nuanced, and new characters such as Jessie Caine brought emotional depth. Though its viewership faltered, Nashville transformed into a richer, more mature television drama. Its last episodes took on a soulful, grounded feel that probably outdid whatever ABC had been offering.

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7. Cougar Town (ABC to TBS)

ABC never really knew how to sell Cougar Town, first marketing it as a raunchy rom-com. But when it leaped to TBS in Season 4, the show fully committed to its status as a laugh-out-loud hangout comedy. Liberated from network image concerns, the writers went all in on inside jokes, running gags, and sincere group dynamics that competed with Friends. The wine-fueled shenanigans of Jules and the gang came more naturally, and the show's meta-humor thrived on TBS. Even the title, long ridiculed, became part of the joke.