History Main / NetworkRedheadedStepchild

** Major sporting events on ABC have been a redheaded stepchild since the year 2006. In just a short matter of time, ABC gave up/lost the rights to their crown jewel, ''Monday Night Football'', the PGA Tour, the National Hockey League, and the Bowl Championship Series. To make matters worse, by September 2006, whatever sense of independent identity that ABC Sports had left was totally vanquished (really, the only reason that ABC Sports was kept around was because of union contracts) with the introduction of "ESPN on ABC" (Disney had slowly been integrating ESPN into ABC Sports since buying ABC back in 1996). As more and more big money events were crossing over to ESPN (since Disney can, with cable, exploit a dual revenue stream of ads and subscription fees), ABC's affiliates began to complain in by the end of 2009. In order to compensate these complaints, ABC and ESPN put together an ad hoc, cheaply made package on Saturday afternoons (instead of like say, bringing back the legendary ''WideWorldOfSports'' (which had been canceled as a stand alone, anthology series around early 1998) series for a new generation) called ''ESPN Sports Saturday''.

* In it's early years, UPN had ''StarTrekVoyager'', which, while undeniably the highest rated show on the network, failed to fit in with any other thing on its urban-oriented schedule. In its waning years, UPN had such schizophrenic schedule, that it seemed every night of the week had a red-headed step child compared to the other nights. First was Monday, with it's urban and minority-oriented comedies, then Tuesday with ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' cult horror-drama-comedy appeal, Wednesday with ''StarTrekEnterprise'' a similar cult hit, but for a ''different'' cult, Thursday had ''WWESmackdown'', and Friday had a random selection of crappy movies. It was a strange thing to behold.

** And ''before'' either of those two, we had ''{{Gargoyles}}''.
*** ''SchnookumsAndMeat'' was even more this trope than ''{{Gargoyles}}'' was, being a GrossoutShow rather than the typical adventure shows that TheDisneyAfternoon usually had.

** ''PowerRangers'' for the entire Disney family of networks. They recently admitted it ''never'' fit in. For example, look at the ABC Saturday morning lineup, where it was a superhero action show amongst tween sitcoms. This is why Disney ultimately sold it back to Saban.

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** Major sporting events on ABC have been a redheaded stepchild since the year 2006. In just a short matter of time, ABC gave up/lost the rights to their crown jewel, ''Monday Night Football'', the PGA Tour, the National Hockey League, and the Bowl Championship Series. To make matters worse, by September 2006, whatever sense of independent identity that ABC Sports had left was totally vanquished with the introduction of "ESPN on ABC" (Disney had slowly been integrating ESPN into ABC Sports since buying ABC back in 1996). As more and more big money events were crossing over to ESPN (since Disney can, with cable, exploit a duel revenue stream of ads and subscription fees), ABC's affiliates began to complain in by the end of 2009. In order to compensate these complaints, ABC and ESPN put together an ad hoc, cheaply made package on Saturday afternoons (instead of like say, bringing back the legendary ''WideWorldOfSports'' (which had been canceled as a stand alone, anthology series around early 1998) series for a new generation) called ''ESPN Sports Saturday''.

* {{CBC}}: In the late 90's, the majority of shows were either comedies, news programs or sitcoms (with the occasional drama). ''Series/DaVincisInquest'', about a morally grey coroner who has some questionable ethics (mixed with a large dose of RealLifeWritesThePlot), was the exception to this trend, and proved to be one of CBC's biggest hits. Of course, the moment the ratings started to fizzle, the show was unceremoniously yanked off the air.

* Long before the days of ''MadMen'' and ''BreakingBad'', AMC ran ''Remember WENN'', a half-hour LaughTrack-less {{Sitcom}} about life in a 1930s radio station, filmed on 16mm and processed to look like Technicolor, so as to "fit in" with its classic movies programming.

*** Its also the only decent, non sitcom show that adults can watch without rolling their eyes at every joke.

* {{CBC}}: In the late 90's, the majority of shows were either comedies, news programs or sitcoms (with the occasional drama). ''DavincisInquest'', about a morally grey coroner who has some questionable ethics (mixed with a large dose of RealLifeWritesThePlot), was the exception to this trend, and proved to be one of CBC's biggest hits. Of course, the moment the ratings started to fizzle, the show was unceremoniously yanked off the air.

* The 700 Club is this for ABCFamily (and Fox Family before it), thanks to the network being contractually forbidden to get rid of it.

** Not so much because it was dark, some of [[LifetimeMovieOfTheWeek their movies]] can get pretty intense (when not [[SoBadItsGood knee-slapping hilarious]]), more because it was a supernatural show. It would have done a lot better on a show with either a sci-fi or action slant, not sappy, romantic Lifetime.

* On MTV, ''TheRealWorld'' was pretty much the first reality show to air there. The years went by, more and more variety programs were aired, with less and less focus on... well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTim music]]. Even the returning ''{{Beavis and Butt-Head}}'' didn't escape this treatment: instead of reviewing music videos, the duo now reviews things like ''JerseyShore'' episodes.

** And now we have ''MyBabysittersAVampire'', a [[FamilyUnfriendlyViolence surprisingly]] [[DarkerAndEdgier dark]] supernatural {{Dramedy}}.

** Arguably, ''GoodLuckCharlie'' is a mild version. Unlike their other shows, the adults often get main plotlines, and there isn't much of a twist to the premise (family with 3 older children suddenly has a baby). Also, it was intentionally created to have MutlipleDemographicAppeal so that families can watch together, as opposed to their other shows which usually don't appeal to people over the age of 16.

** Now that ''Series/GameOfThrones'' is a hit, ''TrueBlood is looking less like an odd duck than it used to.

* {{ABC}}: ''{{Lost}}'' was ABC's redheaded stepchild, a complex mystery/drama on a network full of sitcoms and romantic dramadies. ABC made several somewhat pathetic attempts to capitalize on ''Lost'''s success by releasing no less than half-a-dozen copycat shows over the past five years, almost all of which aired in the timeslot after ''Lost''. Every single one was canceled before getting a second season.
** Major sporting events on ABC has been a redheaded stepchild since the year 2006. In just a short matter of time, ABC gave up/lost the rights to their crown jewel, ''Monday Night Football'', the PGA Tour, the National Hockey League, and the Bowl Championship Series. To make matters worse, by September 2006, whatever sense of independent identity that ABC Sports had left was totally vanquished with the introduction of "ESPN on ABC" (Disney had slowly been integrating ESPN into ABC Sports since buying ABC back in 1996). As more and more big money events were crossing over to ESPN (since Disney can with cable, exploit a duel revenue stream of ads and subscription fees), ABC's affiliates began to complain in by the end of 2009. In order to compensate these complaints, ABC and ESPN put together an ad hoc, cheaply made package on Saturday afternoons (instead of like say, bringing back the legendary ''Wide World of Sports'' (which had been canceled as a stand alone, anthology series around early 1998) series for a new generation) called ''ESPN Sports Saturday''.

** Of course, ''{{Firefly}}'' just goes without saying.

* In the late 90's, the majority of shows on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) channel were either comedies, news programs or sitcoms (with the occasional drama). ''DavincisInquest'' (about a morally grey coroner who has some questionable ethics, mixed with a large dose of RealLifeWritesThePlot) was the exception to this trend, and proved to be one of CBC's biggest hits. Of course, the moment the ratings started to fizzle, the show was unceremoniously yanked off the air.
* In the mid 90's, CTV developed and produced a sci-fi show that stood in stark contrast with their more down-to-earth programming. That show, ''{{Robocop}}: The Series'', was a {{Bowdlerised}} adaptation of one of the most violent films of the 80's, and was quickly cancelled after a single season due to middling ratings.

* DisneyChannel: {{Lizzie McGuire}} was the first Disney show to involve a singer as the main character who could then be marketed everywhere. Now, it's impossible to find a Disney show (and increasingly, a Nickelodeon show) where this is not the case.

*** ''SchnookumsAndMeat'' was even more this trope than ''{{Gargoyles}}'' was, being a GrossoutShow rather than the typical adventure shows TheDisneyAfternoon usually had.
** ''PowerRangers'' for the entire Disney family of networks. They recently admitted it ''never'' fit in. For example, look at the ABC Saturday morning lineup, where it was a superhero action show amongst tween sitcoms.
*** That's why they sold it back to Saban.

* Lifetime: Blood Ties was an exceptionally dark series for Lifetime.
** Not so much because it was dark, some of their Narm-tastic movies can get pretty intense (when not knee-slapping hilarious,) more because it was a supernatural show. It would have done a lot better on a show with either a sci-fi or action slant, not sappy, romantic Lifetime.

* On HBO, TrueBlood is a show about vampires and the supernatural (among other things) on a network whose original programming tends toward showing gritty reality. Ditto for ''Carnivale'' when it was on.

* {{ABC}}: Currently, ''{{Lost}}'' is ABC's redheaded stepchild, a complex mystery/drama on a network full of sitcoms and romantic dramadies. ABC has made several somewhat pathetic attempts to capitalize on ''Lost'''s success by releasing no less than half a dozen copycat shows over the past five years, almost all of which aired in the timeslot after ''Lost''. Every single one is canceled before getting a second season.

** ABC's new show ''FlashForward'' effectively revolves around the marketing hook "if you like ''Lost'', watch this!" ABC even made a concentrated effort to cast ''Lost'' alumni on the show and is hoping the show will replace ''Lost'' once it ends in 2010. Even the title of the show evokes a major plot element from ''Lost'''s fourth season.
*** Didn't work, it's been axed.
* {{FOX}}: Continuing the mystery theme, ''{{Fringe}}'' is currently FOX's redheaded stepchild, as FOX primarily airs reality shows and cartoon comedies. ''[[TwentyFour 24]]'' is also a redheaded stepchild in many ways.

* {{NBC}}: ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' is, like ''Lost'', a mystery drama on a channel filled with primarily comedies. Recently, ''{{Chuck}}'' has helped flesh out NBC's lineup as well.

* Lifetime: Blood Ties are still an exceptionally dark series for Lifetime.

* DisneyChannel: LizzieMcGuire was the first Disney show to involve a singer as the main character who could then be marketed everywhere. Now, it's impossible to find a Disney show (and increasingly, a Nickelodeon show) where this is not the case.

* {{Nickelodeon}}: Back in the 90s, an animated show would be considered a redheaded stepchild, but in the modern day they make up a good deal of Nickelodeon's lineup. Instead, the rare cartoon that appeals to an older demographic, like ''InvaderZim'' or ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'' would be an example.
** ''KaBlam!'', because it's an animated sketch comedy unlike the other toons.

** And ''before'' either of those two, we had {{Gargoyles}}.

** ''KimPossible'' was an example of this with a literal redhead as the title character.

*CartoonNetwork: A strong example of NetworkDecay, Cartoon Network is now regularly showing some live action shows in it's lineup. But years ago, the rare live-action show would be a redheaded stepchild on Cartoon Network.