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TV shows just can’t seem to stay put on streaming. Even with studio-specific services, seeing shows jump around different streaming channels is common. It can be frustrating trying to track down even classic shows sometimes.
However, shifting to a new streaming service can mean new life for a TV show. A change can ensure a show will have another season or even exist. So, here are five shows that have migrated to other services and found a new audience.
These TV shows were chosen based on whether they previously aired on different streaming services or were shelved before debuting on the intended service.
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15
Status
Ongoing
The Doctor’s time-traveling adventures have been an iconic element of science fiction. It’s one of the longest-running sci-fi shows, with its memorable villains, the plunger-wielding Daleks and monotone Cybermen. The Doctor, an alien Timelord, has also changed his/her appearance almost as much as he/she has changed venues outside the UK.
Doctor Whohas been all over TV and streaming, bouncing from the Sci-Fi Channel to BBC America and Netflix to Max. But the nomadic time-traveler has founda new home for new episodes on Disney+. While watching classicDoctor Whoon places like Pluto TV and BritBox is still possible, Whovians who need their latest fix can find the current Doctor on Disney.
Disney+
Doctor Whocontinues the long-running sci-fi adventures of the Timelord and his companions as they do battle against all manner of fantastic villains.
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9
Debuting on Netflix,Daredevilwas the gritty detour from the PG-13 formula of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The show didn’t pull its punches in making the blind Matt Murdoch the vicious superhero of the streets, fighting against the corrupt Kingpin. His war with gangsters was brutal and opened the doors for other TV-MA Marvel shows likeLuke CageandJessica Jones.
Although released while Disney owned the rights to Marvel, the studio decided to takeDaredeviloff Netflix after the creation of Disney+. The good news is that it migrated to Disney+ (as with the other Netflix Marvel shows), and the better news is that it continued onward asDaredevil: Born Again. With a powerful story about Kingpin becoming mayor and Matt hanging up his cowl,Born Againis a must-watch Marvel TV series with a second season coming next year.
Daredevil: Born Againcontinues the story of Matt Murdoch as he takes on Kingpin and his new position as the mayor of New York City.
2019-2023
4
46
Ended
Doom Patrolcan be thought of as the wry prototype for James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad. Based on the comics by DC, this misfit ensemble comprises foul-mouthed and vulgar anti-heroes of cyborgs and mutants. Considering the team dealt with ghost orgies and giant bugs, it’s not exactly the type of show built for CW’s teen-friendly brand of DC Comics shows.
Doom Patrolwas one of the flagship shows of theshort-lived DC Universe streaming service. While the service might’ve died quickly, it would continue on Warner Bros’s Max for more seasons. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, which abruptly stopped production on season two, the quirky and profane ensemble lived on to find an absurd yet proper ending.
MAX
Doom Patrolfeatures a misfit ensemble taking on world-ending threats in this off-beat comic book TV series.
2019-2022
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30
Canceled
With Netflix having a hit on their hands withBoJack Horseman,Tuca & Bertiefelt like a natural extension. The adult-animated comedy followed the urban adventures of two anthropomorphic bird women, navigating everything from dating to mental health with imaginative exuberance. The show came loaded with a lot of the absurd and thoughtful writing familiar toBoJack, but with extra sex and humor that was more firmly geared toward women.
Due to Netflix’s fickle nature of sticking with TV shows,Tuca & Bertiewould only last for one season on Netflix,but gained a cult following.That following would carry over to Adult Swim and, by extension, Max, where it would progress for two more seasons. Despite being canceled after its third season, the series was a hilariously revered perspective on adulthood that would go on to win an award from the Writers Guild of America.
Tuca & Bertiepresents a colorfully creative depiction of adulthood through its anthropomorphic urban setting.
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A new Batman cartoon developed by Bruce Timm ofBatman: The Animated Seriesfame sounded like a great idea. It also sounded refreshing for taking place in the 1940s, and compelling new takes on weaving a crime drama with the bat-themed superhero. But it almost didn’t see the light of day whenMax refused to run the show, despite being far into production.
Thankfully,Caped Crusaderfound a new home on Prime Video. As expected from Timm’s style inThe Animated Series, this was a mature and thoughtful Batman cartoon. It’s the closest Batman has come to being a detective TV series (while still featuring fantastical villains), and it’s thankfully sticking around for a second season this year.
Amazon Prime Video
Batman: Caped Crusaderpresents a retro and more grounded depiction of the comic book detective.
Swapping streaming services for TV shows further proves that the streaming age reflects the cable age. Television has a history of sitcoms moving to new networks or building a better following on cable channels. That lingering model of shopping around TV series ensures that some shows might have a shot at another season or even get a chance to debut.
