• April 7, 2018

Top 10 Dumbest Network Decisions

Top 10 Dumbest Network Decisions
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What is the stupidest thing a TV network has ever done? Did you know that HBO passed on “Mad Men”? We all remember that Fox canceled “Family Guy” but do you know why they canceled “Family Guy” and brought it back? Television companies do a lot of stupid things, so join WatchMojo as we count down our picks for the top 10 worst things TV Networks have ever done.

List Rank and Entries
#10. Fox Cancels “Family Guy”
#9. NBC & WWF Launch “XFL”
#8. ABC Overdoses on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”
#7. ABC Passes on “CSI”
#6. NBC Screws Up “Community”
#5. Fox Cancels “Firefly”
#4. Nicktoons Passes on “Adventure Time”
#3, #2 & #1: ?

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10 thoughts on “Top 10 Dumbest Network Decisions

  1. I’d say the Walking Dead was the top bad decision here. As mentioned it was the #1 cable show in history and both HBO and NBC passed on it for silly reasons. (Though NBC would have been a hard fit since its a broadcast network). The whole Leno/Conan debacle would have been #2.

  2. The who Jay Leno debacle was probably the dumbest thing NBC ever did, but it wasn’t the only one. They also canceled two shows that later became huge hits on other networks and in syndication. NBC aired the first season of Baywatch but put it up against 60 Minutes at a time when people still took network news seriously. They quickly canceled it only to have it run in syndication and not only become a huge hit but an international pop culture phenomenon. NBC also aired the first season of JAG, and while the ratings were not great, they were borderline enough for NBC to renew the show. But NBC canceled the show, stating that the ratings demos skewed too old. CBS picked up the show, and it not only became a huge hit for them but also launched the NCIS franchise.

  3. Everyone forgets about Voyagers. It was a much bigger mistake than the cancellation of Firefly. It was doing okay in the ratings and was cancelled to replace it with a show that bombed.

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