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* In the late [[TheSixties 1960s]], Creator/NormanLear bought the rights to adapt a [[Creator/TheBBC BBC1]] comedy, ''Series/TillDeathUsDoPart'', for American television. Creator/{{ABC}} aired the pilot but rejected the series; undaunted, Mr. Lear turned around and sold the series to Creator/{{CBS}}. ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' went on to become the #1 Nielsen-ratings show on American TV; it kept Mr. Lear busy producing nine seasons, four direct spin-offs, two spin-offs ''from'' spin-offs, and ''Series/ArchieBunkersPlace'', a renamed continuation of the original series.
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* In the late [[TheSixties 1960s]], Creator/NormanLear bought the rights to adapt a [[Creator/TheBBC BBC1]] comedy, ''Series/TillDeathUsDoPart'', for American television. Creator/{{ABC}} [[Creator/AmericanBroadcastingCompany ABC]] aired the pilot but rejected the series; undaunted, Mr. Lear turned around and sold the series to Creator/{{CBS}}. ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' went on to become the #1 Nielsen-ratings show on American TV; it kept Mr. Lear busy producing nine seasons, four direct spin-offs, two spin-offs ''from'' spin-offs, and ''Series/ArchieBunkersPlace'', a renamed continuation of the original series.
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* In the late [[TheSixties 1960s]], Creator/NormanLear bought the rights to adapt a [[Creator/TheBBC BBC1]] comedy, ''Till Death Do Us Part'', for American television. Creator/{{ABC}} aired the pilot but rejected the series; undaunted, Mr. Lear turned around and sold the series to Creator/{{CBS}}. ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' went on to become the #1 Nielsen-ratings show on American TV; it kept Mr. Lear busy producing nine seasons, four direct spin-offs, two spin-offs ''from'' spin-offs, and ''Series/ArchieBunkersPlace'', a renamed continuation of the original series.
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* In the late [[TheSixties 1960s]], Creator/NormanLear bought the rights to adapt a [[Creator/TheBBC BBC1]] comedy, ''Till Death Do Us Part'', ''Series/TillDeathUsDoPart'', for American television. Creator/{{ABC}} aired the pilot but rejected the series; undaunted, Mr. Lear turned around and sold the series to Creator/{{CBS}}. ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' went on to become the #1 Nielsen-ratings show on American TV; it kept Mr. Lear busy producing nine seasons, four direct spin-offs, two spin-offs ''from'' spin-offs, and ''Series/ArchieBunkersPlace'', a renamed continuation of the original series.
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* ''Franchise/LawAndOrder''. The [[Series/LawAndOrder original series]] ended after twenty years in 2010, and the show spawned two long-running {{spinoff}}s (''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' and ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent''), as well as a few ShortRunners and foreign remakes. ''Criminal Intent'' became the highest-rated show on basic cable after its move to Creator/{{USA|Network}}, and the French and Russian adaptations of the series are some of the most successful shows in their respective markets.
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* ''Franchise/LawAndOrder''. The [[Series/LawAndOrder original series]] ended after twenty years in 2010, 2010 (but came back in 2022), and the show spawned two long-running {{spinoff}}s (''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' and ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent''), as well as a few ShortRunners and foreign remakes. ''Criminal Intent'' became the highest-rated show on basic cable after its move to Creator/{{USA|Network}}, and the French and Russian adaptations of the series are some of the most successful shows in their respective markets.
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* Bravo Network has The Real Housewives franchise with 11 main series and 19 spinoffs. Possibly the biggest know docusoap/ reality series/franchise of all time. Also other shows on the network Project Runway, Top Chef, and Million Dollar Listing (LA) which became a franchise for a bit with NYC and short runners, has each ran on the network for over a decade and the former 2 past 15 years. As well as What Happens with Andy Cohen running for over a decade and might be known as TV's biggest aftershow.
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* Bravo Network has The Real Housewives franchise with 11 main series and 19 spinoffs. Possibly the biggest know docusoap/ reality docusoap/reality series/franchise of all time. Also other shows on the network Project Runway, Top Chef, and Million Dollar Listing (LA) which became a franchise for a bit with NYC and short runners, has each ran on the network for over a decade and the former 2 past 15 years. As well as What Happens with Andy Cohen running for over a decade and might be known as TV's biggest aftershow.
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* Released after the death of Christopher Tolkien, ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'' became the first Tolkien Estate-approved work to embrace this, giving way to [[TheMerch broad merchandising]] (as opposed to the ''films'', a non-estate-approved CashCowFranchise).
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* Released after the death of Christopher Tolkien, ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'' became the first Tolkien Estate-approved work to embrace this, giving way to [[TheMerch broad merchandising]] (as opposed to the ''films'', a non-estate-approved CashCowFranchise).
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** The prequel spinoff, ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'', made Creator/HBOMax servers [[DemandOverload crash upon launch due to the demand]], and the first episode became the most viewed HBO series opener ''in history'' across all HBO platforms.
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** The prequel spinoff, ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'', made Creator/HBOMax servers [[DemandOverload crash upon launch due to the demand]], and the first episode became the most viewed HBO series opener ''in history'' across all HBO platforms. A second season was ordered less than a week after the premiere, although it had already more or less been [[RenewedBeforePremiere announced months prior]].
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* Bravo Network has The Real Housewives franchise with 11 main series and 19 spinoffs. Possibly the biggest know docusoap/ reality series/franchise of all time. Also other shows on the network Project Runway, Top Chef, and Million Dollar Listing (LA) which became a franchise for a bit with NYC and short runners, has each ran on the network for over a decade and the former 2 past 15 years.
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* Bravo Network has The Real Housewives franchise with 11 main series and 19 spinoffs. Possibly the biggest know docusoap/ reality series/franchise of all time. Also other shows on the network Project Runway, Top Chef, and Million Dollar Listing (LA) which became a franchise for a bit with NYC and short runners, has each ran on the network for over a decade and the former 2 past 15 years. As well as What Happens with Andy Cohen running for over a decade and might be known as TV's biggest aftershow.
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* Monk was this for the USA Network for a long while and later Psych and Suits took up the mantle.
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* Bravo Network has The Real Housewives franchise with 11 main series and 19 spinoffs. Possibly the biggest know docusoap/ reality series/franchise of all time. Also other shows on the network Project Runway, Top Chef, and Million Dollar Listing (LA) which became a franchise for a bit with NYC and short runners, has each ran on the network for over a decade and the former 2 past 15 years.
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* In the late [[TheSixties 1960s]], Creator/NormanLear bought the rights to adapt a [[Creator/TheBBC BBC1]] comedy, ''Till Death Do Us Part'', for American television. Creator/{{ABC}} aired the pilot but rejected the series; undaunted, Mr. Lear turned around and sold the series to Creator/{{CBS}}. ''Series/AllInTheFamily'' went on to become the #1 Nielsen-ratings show on American TV; it kept Mr. Lear busy producing nine seasons, four direct spin-offs, two spin-offs ''from'' spin-offs, and ''Series/ArchieBunkersPlace'', a renamed continuation of the original series.
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* ''Series/{{Euphoria}}'' became massive hit for HBO. Discussions about new episodes often dominate the entertainment news-sphere and received tons of praise from both audiences and critics. It's also one of the most watched shows on Creator/HBOMax in general, and they've taken full advantage of it in their advertising.
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* Creator/{{TBS}} has late night show ''Series/{{Conan}}'' as their biggest series.
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* ''Series/FixerUpper'' was so popular that they were given their own network with the show airing new episodes. DIY Network became Magnolia Network with the series stars Chip and Joanna Gaines running it.
* Fox News: Hannity was the highest viewed until recently Tucker Carlson's show had beat it.
* Fox News: Hannity was the highest viewed until recently Tucker Carlson's show had beat it.
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* In the early [[TheSixties 1960s]], Oscar-nominated screenwriter and veteran TV producer Paul Henning developed a sitcom loosely based on his wife's experiences growing up in the Ozarks. ''Series/TheBeverlyHillbillies'' went on to become the #1 Nielsen-ratings show on American TV; it kept Mr. Cumming busy producing and writing nine seasons (he also wrote the theme song) and simultaneously producing the sister shows ''Series/PetticoatJunction'' and ''Series/GreenAcres''.
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* E! Network biggest series for over a decade and so on is ''Series/KeepingUpWithTheKardashians'' which the title family has became the biggest reality stars of TheNewTens in pop culture and tabloid news as well. E! News is the main program on the network as well and is what the channel is built around and still going on for nearly 30 years.
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* MSNBC has Rachel Maddow's series as its most watched.
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* ''Series/OrangeIsTheNewBlack'' became Netflix's most viewed original for a time as well as the service's longest-running scripted series, running for a full seven seasons. It is still fondly remembered today.
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* [=HGTV=] has the ''Property Brothers'' as its main show. Before that, ''Fixer Upper'' was the most viewed. Their classic series ''House Hunters'' is still going on after 20 years with many spinoffs too.
* ''Series/{{Psych}}'' has become this for Creator/{{Peacock}}, despite originating on Creator/USANetwork (it became the flagship TV Show of that network too after ''Monk'' ended in 2009). The first two movies to debut on Peacock were the ''Psych: The Movie'' sequels ''Lassie Come Home'' and ''This is Gus'' - with plans for 3 more movies.
* ''Series/{{Psych}}'' has become this for Creator/{{Peacock}}, despite originating on Creator/USANetwork (it became the flagship TV Show of that network too after ''Monk'' ended in 2009). The first two movies to debut on Peacock were the ''Psych: The Movie'' sequels ''Lassie Come Home'' and ''This is Gus'' - with plans for 3 more movies.
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* As of 2016, Netflix's cash cow title goes to ''Series/StrangerThings''. A SciFi {{horror}} and GenreThrowback to the '80s, the series has been seen as the big reason to keep your Netflix subscription.
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* ''Series/{{CSI}}'': Though its shows have all ended, it casts a shadow over the network to this day; primetime schedule on CBS has been largely dominated by [[FollowTheLeader shows focusing on law enforcement]]. One of these, ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', regularly tops the Top 10 Nielsen ratings and ranks among the most-watched shows in ''the whole world''.
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** Two other major examples of shows that got spin-offs and look set to continue indefinitely are ''Series/{{CSI}}'' and ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' (NCIS being its own spin-off from [=JAG=]).
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* Due to its success, ''Series/TheSopranos'' is often seen as the show that launched the new Golden Age of adult television in TheOughties and TheNewTens, inspiring ''Series/TheWire'', ''Series/MadMen'', ''Series/BreakingBad'' (by rival networks), becoming an era defining milestone series, famous for its morally compromised protagonists, violence, and occasionally surreal style that came to define this period.
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** The franchise's status as a moneymaker was further cemented when HBO ordered a prequel spin-off mere six months after the finale was aired, suggesting that, no matter how [[BrokenBase controversial]] the final season was, HBO had enough confidence that any new media set in the ''[=GoT=]'' universe will still be profitable for them.
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** The franchise's status as a moneymaker was further cemented when HBO ordered a prequel spin-off spinoff a mere six months after the finale was aired, suggesting that, no matter how [[BrokenBase controversial]] the final season was, HBO had enough confidence that any new media set in the ''[=GoT=]'' universe will still be profitable for them.them.
** The prequel spinoff, ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'', made Creator/HBOMax servers [[DemandOverload crash upon launch due to the demand]], and the first episode became the most viewed HBO series opener ''in history'' across all HBO platforms.
** The prequel spinoff, ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'', made Creator/HBOMax servers [[DemandOverload crash upon launch due to the demand]], and the first episode became the most viewed HBO series opener ''in history'' across all HBO platforms.
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* The Series/{{Arrowverse}} for Creator/TheCW. Started with humble beginnings in ''Series/{{Arrow}}'', it came to encompass ''six'' more series set in the same universe, several web series (including two animated spinoffs), multiple comic books, novels, companion books, tons of merchandise, and an annual crossover special certainly designed to draw in as high ratings as possible. Even after the flagship series ended in 2020, ''Series/{{The Flash|2014}}'' quickly took up the slack, leading the franchise into a new decade.
* ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' was this for a while after it became successful. ''Barney's Greatest Hits'' stayed in the top 10 of the children's CD list on Billboard for half a decade until ''[[WesternAnimation/VeggieTales [=VeggieTunes=]]]'' knocked it off of the list, JC Penney's had Barney shops inside their stores, and Playskool had a big collection of Barney toys that kept growing every year until the rights were sold to Play Along (now Jakks Pacific).
* The Dutch children's series ''Series/BassieEnAdriaan'' spawned a lot of merchandise and was sold to several countries.
* Creator/{{ABC}} parodied this with a series of commercials for then-upcoming sitcom ''Series/HomeEconomics'' in which the cast is meeting with [[ExecutiveMeddling producers]] who have made a poster that's clearly a recreation of the ones for ''Series/ModernFamily'' and also has the show's title as "Home Econom-[[Series/{{blackish}} ish]]". The execs swear that the cast's concerns will be assuaged when they see the commercials...which make it look like an episode of ''Series/TheBachelor''.
* ''Series/BigBrother'', certainly in the UK (until 2007 or 2008 at least). They've stopped counting how many years its run. To those that dislike it it is difficult to remember a time it was not on and so ever present. It returned in 2011 and it got the same amount of attention it got in its original run.
* ''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'' became the most-watched Netflix series ''ever'' within a month of its debut, and was renewed for three more seasons before the sophomore season even dropped.
* [=JoJo=] Siwa became a craze among young girls after appearing on ''Series/DanceMoms'' and spawned a line of products branded with her likeness. The most most popular item from that lineup is the [=JoJo=] bow, which is a bow similar to the ones she wears. She also is the host of the top-rated show ''Lip Sync Battle Shorties'', has released several songs and starred in several TV movies.
* Creator/TheBBC has ''Series/DoctorWho'' over in its home country, the UK, as well. Let's see... an original {{Long Runner|s}} series (including [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie a TV Movie]]) with an equally massive Franchise/DoctorWhoExpandedUniverse and two non-canon movies. And since the 2005 revival with the new series, the Expanded Universe expanded even more (with material for both the classic and new series), bringing along two successful spin-off series of their own (''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' and ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures''). And the merchandising, of course.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'' is a merchandising juggernaut and possibly the biggest cash cow among Creator/{{HBO}}'s shows. The series drew in very high viewership and becoming noted for its distinctive, visually striking characters and settings. It has copious amounts of toys (for adult collectors), apparel, accessories, cosplay/replicas and other collectibles available for purchase. It's telling that ''[=GoT=]'' is probably the most expensive series ever produced for television (the final season episodes were produced for $15 million ''apiece''), but that didn't matter since the profits more than made it up.
** The show's case is notable in that it's one of the few franchises to achieve this status while exclusively catering to mature audiences, aside from video games such as ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' and ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto''. Most cash-cow franchises rely at least partially on toy and merchandise sales, and usually skew PG-13 or lower so that children can get invested in the franchise and its merchandise; however, ''[=GoT=]'' is fantastical enough to spur copious toy and merchandise sales in its own right, as adult collectors (particularly millennials) became more of a mainstream demographic over time.
** The franchise's status as a moneymaker was further cemented when HBO ordered a prequel spin-off mere six months after the finale was aired, suggesting that, no matter how [[BrokenBase controversial]] the final season was, HBO had enough confidence that any new media set in the ''[=GoT=]'' universe will still be profitable for them.
* ''Series/BreakingBad'' emerged to such powerful critical reviews and skyrocketing ratings that Creator/{{AMC}} turned it into a cash-cow franchise and started offering ''Breaking Bad''-themed video games, dozens of short 1 to 2 minute [=YouTube=] cartoons, clothing and comic books as well as green-lighting the prequel series ''Series/BetterCallSaul'' and a sequel movie on Netflix. In turn, ''Better Call Saul'' has a SpinoffBabies prequel of its own: the animated series ''Slippin' Jimmy'' is a ''prequel spinoff of a prequel spinoff''.
* The ''"Got Talent"'' franchise started by ''Series/AmericasGotTalent'' and ''Series/BritainsGotTalent'' holds the record for being the most widespread TV franchise created. It has spawned localizations in over 50 different countries.
* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
** The franchise has been running continually [[Series/KamenRiderKuuga since it was revived in 2000]], but within the Riders there's a very specific cash cow franchise -- ''Series/KamenRiderDenO''. All Heisei era ''Kamen Rider'' series from ''Series/KamenRiderAgito'' to ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'' have at least one movie[[note]]the only reason ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' is an exception to this is because said movie would've taken place after the TV series - and the writers couldn't figure out a satisfying way to continue the story, as well as Joe Odagiri not anymore willing to reprise his role due to Shigenori Takatera getting fired during ''Hibiki''[[/note]]. All Heisei era ''Kamen Rider'' series from ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' onwards have at least three movies. The [[EnsembleDarkhorse breakout success]] of the Taros has led to '''''NINE''''' ''Den-O'' movies.
** Part of the reason for ''Decade'' being a crossover is that Toei executives noticed by the end of the first decade of the 2000's that ''Kuuga'' and ''Series/KamenRiderAgito'' were so faded away in the Japanese public's consciousness that merchandise of those two shows wouldn't even budge. While ''Decade'' didn't reach ''Den-O'' levels by itself, its real-life impact of launching long-forgotten Riders back into mainstream pop culture did bring upon the way to squeeze every last penny of '''all''' ''Kamen Rider'' shows since 1971 even after ''Decade'''s ending. It's even {{lampshaded}} in the show as the true purpose of Decade's journey.
** ''Decade'' ending doesn't mean they won't dredge it up from time to time. Decade's portion of ''Movie War 2010'' had some very thinly veiled dialogue that rather blatantly means "we're going to keep crossing over with things as long as the network can wring money off us".
* ''Franchise/LawAndOrder''. The [[Series/LawAndOrder original series]] ended after twenty years in 2010, and the show spawned two long-running {{spinoff}}s (''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' and ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent''), as well as a few ShortRunners and foreign remakes. ''Criminal Intent'' became the highest-rated show on basic cable after its move to Creator/{{USA|Network}}, and the French and Russian adaptations of the series are some of the most successful shows in their respective markets.
** Two other major examples of shows that got spin-offs and look set to continue indefinitely are ''Series/{{CSI}}'' and ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' (NCIS being its own spin-off from [=JAG=]).
* ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'' is one to Discovery Communications, and they know it to the point that when someone at The Science Channel proposed a revival just days after the franchise had been ended, the suits approved of the plan very quickly.
* Ever since it was VindicatedByReruns via Creator/{{Netflix}}, ''Series/TheOfficeUS'' became a major cash cow franchise, spawning all manners apparel, board games, blankets, notebooks (ItMakesSenseInContext), license plate covers, box planters, and even ''air fresheners'' (some of which are beet-scented).
** The massive boost given to ''Series/{{Friends}}'' on Netflix also spawned a similar treatment, and its merchandise is just as prevalent (and somewhat confusing), including donut makers, oven mitts, doormats saying "Welcome Friends" in the title font, slow cookers, dog toys, eyeshadow palettes, and perhaps most strikingly, an expensive fashion line from Ralph Lauren and a home décor line from Pottery Barn (both of which are seen on the show, but most fans are unlikely to pay $1099 for the apothecary table shown prominently in an episode).
* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' moves a lot of merchandise, usually becoming the top-selling action figure line in America each year. And it's still a single arm of ''Franchise/SuperSentai'', which has been running continually in Japan since 1975! It's been said that the people behind both series actually believe that television ratings are secondary to merchandise sales. It's also rumored that the reason for the exploding number of mecha and extra rangers in later years is because ''Sentai'' is trying to recoup the losses of an underperforming ''Rangers'' under the AudienceAlienatingEra of Disney.
* Flemish children's series ''Series/SamsonEnGert''. To the point that the merchandise actually overshadows the original TV show.
* ''Series/SesameStreet'', the longest-running children's show in North America, has spawned countless pieces of merchandise. There's a Sesame Street version of nearly everything that can be targeted to a preschooler (and on occasion, the parents of said preschoolers). And ever since Elmo became the show's main SpotlightStealingSquad, he's been put on everything imaginable.
* Nobody probably thought that the Creator/KurtRussell and James Spader cult-sci-fi flick ''Film/{{Stargate}}'' was gonna [[Franchise/StargateVerse balloon into]] (so far) three live-action series, an animated series, two (so-far) direct-to-DVD movies. This doesn't include spin-off novels based on both the series AND the original movie and a host of games. While not as big as [[Franchise/StarTrek some]] [[Franchise/StarWars other]] franchises it appeared to have some momentum to join them, but after the cancellation of Atlantis and Universe it came to a sudden end in 2011.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek''; [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries the original series]] and six movies based off of it, [[WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries an animated continuation]], plus [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration four]] [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine spin]]-[[Series/StarTrekVoyager off]] [[Series/StarTrekEnterprise series]] that ran continuously from 1987 to 2005 (and a fifth that debuted in 2017), including four movies based off of ''TNG'' and the [[Film/StarTrek2009 2009 prequel]] (Creator/JJAbrams himself said this was NOT a reboot - which it was, kind of) of the ''TOS'' franchise, ''its'' two sequels, a ''buttload'' of ExpandedUniverse games, novels, and comics, and a ''metric kilobuttload'' of FanFiction and [[EpilepticTrees wacky fan theories]] numerous enough to, well, barely leave in enough room on the Internet for [[Franchise/StarWars that other franchise]] and [[TheRuleOfFirstAdopters well...]] you know, including fan-produced live action series with production values that rival the show itself.
* Creator/Studio100 (The company that created ''Samson En Gert'') has another very popular show in Belgium called ''Series/KabouterPlop'' (''Plop the Gnome'') which is very popular in Belgium. The series has made a lot of songs over the years and tons of merchandise which can be found everywhere in Belgium. Especially in the Studio 100 Theme Parks such as ''Plopsaland De Panne'' and ''Plopsa Indoor Hasselt''. Cookies have also been a popular treat by children where it's called [[https://vimeo.com/37298626 "Plop Koeken Biscuts".]]
* No one expected CW's TV series ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' to be ''15'' seasons long, certainly not series creator Creator/EricKripke who wrote the story to end after season 5. The franchise sells a ton of merchandise, it makes Creator/TheCW so much money it's helped bankroll other series for the network, and it is a huge money maker for [[http://www.creationent.com/ Creation Entertainment's]] for-profit fan conventions.
* The U.S. version of ''Series/{{Survivor}}'' -- thirteen years and twenty-''six'' seasons, beating even the show it's based on (Sweden's ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_Robinson Expedition: Robinson]]'').
* ''Series/TopGearUK'' has expanded way beyond a UK TV motoring series. As well as spawning a number of localized spin-offs and/or being syndicated abroad, Creator/TheBBC publishes a popular print magazine and a website busily promoting Main/TheMerch.
* The ''[[Franchise/UltraSeries Ultraman]]'' franchise, with 30+ series, over 15 movies, and a bunch of manga and video games since 1966, isn't stopping anytime soon. This mainly applies in its home nation of Japan (and most of Southeast Asia) as it remains relatively obscure in the West, however Tsuburaya and Mill Creek Entertainment is soon to change that with Blu-Ray and DVD releases of older and newer Ultraman titles in the US.
* Franchise/TheWalkingDeadTelevisionUniverse has quickly become Creator/{{AMC}}'s flagship franchise. Once better known for marquee fare like ''Series/MadMen'' and ''Series/BreakingBad'', the episodic [[Series/TheWalkingDead series]] about a group of survivors living in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies quickly rose to the top of the network's ratings, and branched out into multiple shows, branded merchandise and more. It has inspired multiple video games (including ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSurvivalInstinct'', multiple mobile titles, gambling machines and ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadArcade''), lines of action figures, [[Series/FearTheWalkingDead multiple]] [[Series/TheWalkingDeadWorldBeyond spinoff]] shows (including ''Tales of the Walking Dead''), a proposed film trilogy starring lead actor Creator/AndrewLincoln, books, the tie-in interview series ''Talking Dead'', webisodes and much more. While fans will generally agree that the highest ratings period for the series (from Seasons 1-7 of the main series) has passed, it's clear that the show is still the network darling and will continue for some time yet. Notably, when AMC announced that the eleventh season of the main series would be its last, they ''also'' simultaneously announced a SpinOff with actors Creator/NormanReedus (Daryl Dixon) and Creator/MelissaMcBride (Carol Peletier), unrelated to the aforementioned spinoff shows, at the same time.
* ''Series/TheXFactor''. Where do we start? It launched the careers of so many singers and bands, It's the highest-rated television show in Britain (at times attracting half of all people watching television at the time), spawning international spin-offs, turning Music/CherylCole into a bestselling pop star/media darling, an annual successful concert tour, books, "best of" [=DVDs=], a magazine, even merchandise such as perfume plastered with the X Factor logo has been distributed. And they had this one group from a few years back...what was their name again? Music/OneDirection.
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* ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' was this for a while after it became successful. ''Barney's Greatest Hits'' stayed in the top 10 of the children's CD list on Billboard for half a decade until ''[[WesternAnimation/VeggieTales [=VeggieTunes=]]]'' knocked it off of the list, JC Penney's had Barney shops inside their stores, and Playskool had a big collection of Barney toys that kept growing every year until the rights were sold to Play Along (now Jakks Pacific).
* The Dutch children's series ''Series/BassieEnAdriaan'' spawned a lot of merchandise and was sold to several countries.
* Creator/{{ABC}} parodied this with a series of commercials for then-upcoming sitcom ''Series/HomeEconomics'' in which the cast is meeting with [[ExecutiveMeddling producers]] who have made a poster that's clearly a recreation of the ones for ''Series/ModernFamily'' and also has the show's title as "Home Econom-[[Series/{{blackish}} ish]]". The execs swear that the cast's concerns will be assuaged when they see the commercials...which make it look like an episode of ''Series/TheBachelor''.
* ''Series/BigBrother'', certainly in the UK (until 2007 or 2008 at least). They've stopped counting how many years its run. To those that dislike it it is difficult to remember a time it was not on and so ever present. It returned in 2011 and it got the same amount of attention it got in its original run.
* ''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'' became the most-watched Netflix series ''ever'' within a month of its debut, and was renewed for three more seasons before the sophomore season even dropped.
* [=JoJo=] Siwa became a craze among young girls after appearing on ''Series/DanceMoms'' and spawned a line of products branded with her likeness. The most most popular item from that lineup is the [=JoJo=] bow, which is a bow similar to the ones she wears. She also is the host of the top-rated show ''Lip Sync Battle Shorties'', has released several songs and starred in several TV movies.
* Creator/TheBBC has ''Series/DoctorWho'' over in its home country, the UK, as well. Let's see... an original {{Long Runner|s}} series (including [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie a TV Movie]]) with an equally massive Franchise/DoctorWhoExpandedUniverse and two non-canon movies. And since the 2005 revival with the new series, the Expanded Universe expanded even more (with material for both the classic and new series), bringing along two successful spin-off series of their own (''Series/{{Torchwood}}'' and ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures''). And the merchandising, of course.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'' is a merchandising juggernaut and possibly the biggest cash cow among Creator/{{HBO}}'s shows. The series drew in very high viewership and becoming noted for its distinctive, visually striking characters and settings. It has copious amounts of toys (for adult collectors), apparel, accessories, cosplay/replicas and other collectibles available for purchase. It's telling that ''[=GoT=]'' is probably the most expensive series ever produced for television (the final season episodes were produced for $15 million ''apiece''), but that didn't matter since the profits more than made it up.
** The show's case is notable in that it's one of the few franchises to achieve this status while exclusively catering to mature audiences, aside from video games such as ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'' and ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto''. Most cash-cow franchises rely at least partially on toy and merchandise sales, and usually skew PG-13 or lower so that children can get invested in the franchise and its merchandise; however, ''[=GoT=]'' is fantastical enough to spur copious toy and merchandise sales in its own right, as adult collectors (particularly millennials) became more of a mainstream demographic over time.
** The franchise's status as a moneymaker was further cemented when HBO ordered a prequel spin-off mere six months after the finale was aired, suggesting that, no matter how [[BrokenBase controversial]] the final season was, HBO had enough confidence that any new media set in the ''[=GoT=]'' universe will still be profitable for them.
* ''Series/BreakingBad'' emerged to such powerful critical reviews and skyrocketing ratings that Creator/{{AMC}} turned it into a cash-cow franchise and started offering ''Breaking Bad''-themed video games, dozens of short 1 to 2 minute [=YouTube=] cartoons, clothing and comic books as well as green-lighting the prequel series ''Series/BetterCallSaul'' and a sequel movie on Netflix. In turn, ''Better Call Saul'' has a SpinoffBabies prequel of its own: the animated series ''Slippin' Jimmy'' is a ''prequel spinoff of a prequel spinoff''.
* The ''"Got Talent"'' franchise started by ''Series/AmericasGotTalent'' and ''Series/BritainsGotTalent'' holds the record for being the most widespread TV franchise created. It has spawned localizations in over 50 different countries.
* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
** The franchise has been running continually [[Series/KamenRiderKuuga since it was revived in 2000]], but within the Riders there's a very specific cash cow franchise -- ''Series/KamenRiderDenO''. All Heisei era ''Kamen Rider'' series from ''Series/KamenRiderAgito'' to ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'' have at least one movie[[note]]the only reason ''Series/KamenRiderKuuga'' is an exception to this is because said movie would've taken place after the TV series - and the writers couldn't figure out a satisfying way to continue the story, as well as Joe Odagiri not anymore willing to reprise his role due to Shigenori Takatera getting fired during ''Hibiki''[[/note]]. All Heisei era ''Kamen Rider'' series from ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' onwards have at least three movies. The [[EnsembleDarkhorse breakout success]] of the Taros has led to '''''NINE''''' ''Den-O'' movies.
** Part of the reason for ''Decade'' being a crossover is that Toei executives noticed by the end of the first decade of the 2000's that ''Kuuga'' and ''Series/KamenRiderAgito'' were so faded away in the Japanese public's consciousness that merchandise of those two shows wouldn't even budge. While ''Decade'' didn't reach ''Den-O'' levels by itself, its real-life impact of launching long-forgotten Riders back into mainstream pop culture did bring upon the way to squeeze every last penny of '''all''' ''Kamen Rider'' shows since 1971 even after ''Decade'''s ending. It's even {{lampshaded}} in the show as the true purpose of Decade's journey.
** ''Decade'' ending doesn't mean they won't dredge it up from time to time. Decade's portion of ''Movie War 2010'' had some very thinly veiled dialogue that rather blatantly means "we're going to keep crossing over with things as long as the network can wring money off us".
* ''Franchise/LawAndOrder''. The [[Series/LawAndOrder original series]] ended after twenty years in 2010, and the show spawned two long-running {{spinoff}}s (''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' and ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent''), as well as a few ShortRunners and foreign remakes. ''Criminal Intent'' became the highest-rated show on basic cable after its move to Creator/{{USA|Network}}, and the French and Russian adaptations of the series are some of the most successful shows in their respective markets.
** Two other major examples of shows that got spin-offs and look set to continue indefinitely are ''Series/{{CSI}}'' and ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' (NCIS being its own spin-off from [=JAG=]).
* ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'' is one to Discovery Communications, and they know it to the point that when someone at The Science Channel proposed a revival just days after the franchise had been ended, the suits approved of the plan very quickly.
* Ever since it was VindicatedByReruns via Creator/{{Netflix}}, ''Series/TheOfficeUS'' became a major cash cow franchise, spawning all manners apparel, board games, blankets, notebooks (ItMakesSenseInContext), license plate covers, box planters, and even ''air fresheners'' (some of which are beet-scented).
** The massive boost given to ''Series/{{Friends}}'' on Netflix also spawned a similar treatment, and its merchandise is just as prevalent (and somewhat confusing), including donut makers, oven mitts, doormats saying "Welcome Friends" in the title font, slow cookers, dog toys, eyeshadow palettes, and perhaps most strikingly, an expensive fashion line from Ralph Lauren and a home décor line from Pottery Barn (both of which are seen on the show, but most fans are unlikely to pay $1099 for the apothecary table shown prominently in an episode).
* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' moves a lot of merchandise, usually becoming the top-selling action figure line in America each year. And it's still a single arm of ''Franchise/SuperSentai'', which has been running continually in Japan since 1975! It's been said that the people behind both series actually believe that television ratings are secondary to merchandise sales. It's also rumored that the reason for the exploding number of mecha and extra rangers in later years is because ''Sentai'' is trying to recoup the losses of an underperforming ''Rangers'' under the AudienceAlienatingEra of Disney.
* Flemish children's series ''Series/SamsonEnGert''. To the point that the merchandise actually overshadows the original TV show.
* ''Series/SesameStreet'', the longest-running children's show in North America, has spawned countless pieces of merchandise. There's a Sesame Street version of nearly everything that can be targeted to a preschooler (and on occasion, the parents of said preschoolers). And ever since Elmo became the show's main SpotlightStealingSquad, he's been put on everything imaginable.
* Nobody probably thought that the Creator/KurtRussell and James Spader cult-sci-fi flick ''Film/{{Stargate}}'' was gonna [[Franchise/StargateVerse balloon into]] (so far) three live-action series, an animated series, two (so-far) direct-to-DVD movies. This doesn't include spin-off novels based on both the series AND the original movie and a host of games. While not as big as [[Franchise/StarTrek some]] [[Franchise/StarWars other]] franchises it appeared to have some momentum to join them, but after the cancellation of Atlantis and Universe it came to a sudden end in 2011.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek''; [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries the original series]] and six movies based off of it, [[WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries an animated continuation]], plus [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration four]] [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine spin]]-[[Series/StarTrekVoyager off]] [[Series/StarTrekEnterprise series]] that ran continuously from 1987 to 2005 (and a fifth that debuted in 2017), including four movies based off of ''TNG'' and the [[Film/StarTrek2009 2009 prequel]] (Creator/JJAbrams himself said this was NOT a reboot - which it was, kind of) of the ''TOS'' franchise, ''its'' two sequels, a ''buttload'' of ExpandedUniverse games, novels, and comics, and a ''metric kilobuttload'' of FanFiction and [[EpilepticTrees wacky fan theories]] numerous enough to, well, barely leave in enough room on the Internet for [[Franchise/StarWars that other franchise]] and [[TheRuleOfFirstAdopters well...]] you know, including fan-produced live action series with production values that rival the show itself.
* Creator/Studio100 (The company that created ''Samson En Gert'') has another very popular show in Belgium called ''Series/KabouterPlop'' (''Plop the Gnome'') which is very popular in Belgium. The series has made a lot of songs over the years and tons of merchandise which can be found everywhere in Belgium. Especially in the Studio 100 Theme Parks such as ''Plopsaland De Panne'' and ''Plopsa Indoor Hasselt''. Cookies have also been a popular treat by children where it's called [[https://vimeo.com/37298626 "Plop Koeken Biscuts".]]
* No one expected CW's TV series ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' to be ''15'' seasons long, certainly not series creator Creator/EricKripke who wrote the story to end after season 5. The franchise sells a ton of merchandise, it makes Creator/TheCW so much money it's helped bankroll other series for the network, and it is a huge money maker for [[http://www.creationent.com/ Creation Entertainment's]] for-profit fan conventions.
* The U.S. version of ''Series/{{Survivor}}'' -- thirteen years and twenty-''six'' seasons, beating even the show it's based on (Sweden's ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_Robinson Expedition: Robinson]]'').
* ''Series/TopGearUK'' has expanded way beyond a UK TV motoring series. As well as spawning a number of localized spin-offs and/or being syndicated abroad, Creator/TheBBC publishes a popular print magazine and a website busily promoting Main/TheMerch.
* The ''[[Franchise/UltraSeries Ultraman]]'' franchise, with 30+ series, over 15 movies, and a bunch of manga and video games since 1966, isn't stopping anytime soon. This mainly applies in its home nation of Japan (and most of Southeast Asia) as it remains relatively obscure in the West, however Tsuburaya and Mill Creek Entertainment is soon to change that with Blu-Ray and DVD releases of older and newer Ultraman titles in the US.
* Franchise/TheWalkingDeadTelevisionUniverse has quickly become Creator/{{AMC}}'s flagship franchise. Once better known for marquee fare like ''Series/MadMen'' and ''Series/BreakingBad'', the episodic [[Series/TheWalkingDead series]] about a group of survivors living in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies quickly rose to the top of the network's ratings, and branched out into multiple shows, branded merchandise and more. It has inspired multiple video games (including ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadSurvivalInstinct'', multiple mobile titles, gambling machines and ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDeadArcade''), lines of action figures, [[Series/FearTheWalkingDead multiple]] [[Series/TheWalkingDeadWorldBeyond spinoff]] shows (including ''Tales of the Walking Dead''), a proposed film trilogy starring lead actor Creator/AndrewLincoln, books, the tie-in interview series ''Talking Dead'', webisodes and much more. While fans will generally agree that the highest ratings period for the series (from Seasons 1-7 of the main series) has passed, it's clear that the show is still the network darling and will continue for some time yet. Notably, when AMC announced that the eleventh season of the main series would be its last, they ''also'' simultaneously announced a SpinOff with actors Creator/NormanReedus (Daryl Dixon) and Creator/MelissaMcBride (Carol Peletier), unrelated to the aforementioned spinoff shows, at the same time.
* ''Series/TheXFactor''. Where do we start? It launched the careers of so many singers and bands, It's the highest-rated television show in Britain (at times attracting half of all people watching television at the time), spawning international spin-offs, turning Music/CherylCole into a bestselling pop star/media darling, an annual successful concert tour, books, "best of" [=DVDs=], a magazine, even merchandise such as perfume plastered with the X Factor logo has been distributed. And they had this one group from a few years back...what was their name again? Music/OneDirection.
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