Create A Network Part 6 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards (2025)

What is the most profitable show in Gen-TV History? Answering that question is the goal of this Hollywood Now list. Over the last 10 seasons (It'll be 11 in September) Gen-TV has made billions of dollars and produced some memorable and popular series; such as "Mallory's of Jefferson County" and "Over My Head". But which series reigns supreme? We'll answer that question as we countdown the 25 most profitable series in Gen-TV History; looking at a variety of factors including Domestic Revenue, International Revenue, Syndication and Streaming Profitability, DVD/Home Video Sales/Merchandising Sales, Emmy and Golden Globe Nominations/Wins and Overall Popularity.

Over the next several weeks we'll attempt to answer that question, in small groups until we reach #1. Here is the first batch.

25. Life's Facts: This sitcom was one of the networks first viable comedies, and starred sitcom favorites Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains), who has since disavowed the show and Gen-TV and Lisa Whelchel (The Facts of Life). Airing across four seasons (2009-2012), this comedy aimed to take a look at suburban life from a conservative point of view. After a couple seasons of solid comedy Kirk Cameron took over the creative reins of the show and it devolved into a right-wing mess that alienated viewers and drove ratings down. It did well in syndication for a few seasons (2011-2014) but was pulled after one contract cycle ended in 2014. Aside from a short appearance on Hulu in 2013 and a long out of print season one DVD release in 2012, the series hasn't had much of a shelf life in the USA.

Internationally, it sold well during its original run airing in over 25 countries including most of Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and most Asian countries (except China). It currently airs in only 13 countries as most contracts for the show were not renewed beyond 2016.

Overall Profit for Gen-TV: 104.8 million

24. Something Old, Something New: Another sitcom that aired four seasons during Gen-TV's formative years (2009-2012); this comedy starred sitcom veteran Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) alongside Rena Sofer (General Hospital), Melissa Peterman (Reba) and a young Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place). McCormack starred as a soon to be married New Yorker who finds out that he has a 15 year old daughter he never knew about when his college girlfriend shows up unannounced.

The series was surprisingly popular during its inaugural run and ended it's final season with 18.5 million viewers. The series was cancelled at the time due to creative reasons and internal politics at Gen-TV; as a new regime took over and wanted to create their own programs.

This show has fared very well in syndication, becoming the #4 comedy in second run syndication in 2013 and airing on multiple networks since. Including eight years on Lifetime (2010-2018) and six on TV Land (2014-2019). It has also aired sporadically on TBS, Pop TV and E. It currently airs on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Stream-ME and CW Owned and Operated Stations nationwide. The entire series was released on DVD and Blu-Ray between 2013 and 2015 and re released in 2017.

Internationally this series hasn't fared so well; airing only in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. A 2014 NY Times Article explained "The series comes across as "too american" for most international audiences and seems to put off international buyers due to it's excessive sexual innuendo and references to American popular culture."

Overall Profits: 114.8 million

23. County General: This drama aired for four seasons (2009-2012) and was the among Gen-TV's first popular drama series. Produced by David E. Kelley it was a serious and yet, zany look at a Boston hospital. Among the cast were Geena Davis, Tim Matheson, Neve Campbell, Linda Blair, Mekhi Phifer, Justin Hartley (before This Is Us fame) and Sela Ward.

At the time it was a top ten series and an awards magnet; generating Emmy and Golden Globe nominations every season.

It has fared well on DVD and Streaming; with the entire series released on DVD and Blu-Ray between 2010 and 2014. It has appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Stream-Me and aired in syndication since 2011. It aired on Lifetime from 2011-2014 and has aired on Pop TV since 2016.

Internationally it has had mass appeal; airing in nearly 70 countries. In Switzerland it has ranked as the #1 most popular non-Swiss series ever and is considered a "classic" in that country.

Overall Profits: 125.9 million

22. Abducted: Airing across six seasons (2012-2015) this drama series starred Emmy and Oscar Winner Christine Lahti (Chicago Hope) and Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us) as police detectives working kidnapping and abduction cases. The main serial element involved the abduction of Lahti's characters daughter; which she strives to solve.

Lahti and Ventimiglia both earned nominations from Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG for their work. The series was a popular mainstay on Gen-TV and earned heaps of critical praise.

It has maintained a solid following internationally and airs in 50 countries across the world; and as far away as Dubai. It has sold well on DVD where it's first three seasons are available (released between 2012 and 2014) and the final three scheduled for release in 2020.

In syndication it was a success when it debuted and ranked among the top 40 most-watched second-run shows for several seasons. Currently it airs only on GetTV and Stream-Me.

Overall Profits: 128.78 million

21. Boyfriends: This extremely popular sitcom ran for six seasons between 2010 and 2012. It was a massive success during those years; consistently ranking in the top 5 shows on TV and earning critical acclaim. A highly-watched reunion film in May 2018 garnered record breaking numbers.

This show has remained very popular in syndication, where it debuted in Fall 2014 and has remained ever since. It has aired on TBS, Lifetime, CMT, E, Pop TV and diginets Get TV, ME TV and Antenna TV. It has aired on Hulu; Netflix, Amazon Prime and Stream-ME.

The entire six season run was released on DVD and Blu-Ray between 2012 and 2015 and it has sold well internationally; mostly in European countries and Canada.

Overall Profits: 138.93 million

20. This Time Around: This popular serial drama aired for four seasons and earned critical acclaim for Gen-TV. Often credited as being Gen-TV's first "serious show" it won numerous awards. It was a top 5 hit for it's first two seasons before falling out of the top 20 in it's last two seasons.

It has sold well on DVD and it's season 1 DVD set ranks in the top 100 TV on DVD sets of all-time. Internationally this show has done extremely well airing in 80% of the world and constantly ranking as one of the most popular US Drama's abroad. It remained in syndication as a top 3 hit until 2016 when Gen-TV pulled it from local syndication and moved it exclusively to Stream-ME.

Overall Profits: 154.4 million

Most Profitable Show In Gen-TV History?
----What Show Tops List

What is the most profitable show in Gen-TV History? Answering that question is the goal of this Hollywood Now list. Over the last 10 seasons (It'll be 11 in September) Gen-TV has made billions of dollars and produced some memorable and popular series; such as "Mallory's of Jefferson County" and "Over My Head". But which series reigns supreme? We'll answer that question as we countdown the 25 most profitable series in Gen-TV History; looking at a variety of factors including Domestic Revenue, International Revenue, Syndication and Streaming Profitability, DVD/Home Video Sales/Merchandising Sales, Emmy and Golden Globe Nominations/Wins and Overall Popularity.

Over the next several weeks we'll attempt to answer that question, in small groups until we reach #1. Here is the next batch:

19. TIE: Two series tie for nineteenth place among the most profitable shows in Gen-TV history; both earning approximately the same amount of money.

First up, the older of the two series:

"Hot Tamales": Although it's easy to forget, this series which aired for five seasons between 2009 and 2011 was once insanely popular. So popular in fact that it is often considered to be Gen-TV's first break-out comedy series. Though ratings (and certainly critical support) died down in later seasons as frequent cast changed affected the quality of the series.

It's also easy to forget that this series once averaged over 18 million viewers per episode; and at the height of it's popularity earned its stars a salary of over a million dollars per episode. The show was a popular spot for A-List guest stars as well and perhaps the most impressive was a two-episode arch featuring Whitney Houston which aired as the season finale for the series inaugural season.

The series did very well in syndication; and for a time in 2014 was the #1 rated comedy in second-run. It aired on multiple networks from 2014-2016 and was then pulled from syndication and has aired exclusively on Stream-ME since 2017. It has sold well on DVD; with all seasons available and having been released between 2013 and 2016.

The show has huge international appeal and airs in over 60 countries where it remains a big hit.

Overall Profits: 155.96 million

Tied with "Hot Tamales" is another iconic Gen-TV series; "The Huntress".

"The Huntress": Like "Hot Tamales" this show aired for five seasons on Gen-TV ending it's run in 2013. It was a action-drama about a tough as nails bounty hunter that starred Shannen Doherty in the title role. It was a massive success, and for a time was the networks most popular drama series. It had a lot of fans and was even picked for a critics choice award during its first season as "Outstanding Drama."

The series eventually ended when ratings began to slip and the network lost faith in the ability of its producers to craft storylines that were fresh and new.

In syndication the series was and remains a solid and true hit. It landed a huge syndication deal with A&E TV that earned the network nearly four million dollar in it's first two-years alone. After the contract for that deal expired in 2016, the series has aired on GetTV, SyFy and USA. It also streams on Amazon Prime and Sony Crackle. It is the #1 most popular drama on Sony Crackle and in the top 50 on Amazon Prime.

It sells well internationally and is among the top 10 American television series in Europe and in Japan it is among the most popular television series ever; with a devoted fan following and a yearly Comic-Con like festival held every October.

Overall Profits: 155.96 million

18. Doctor/Patient: Airing for four seasons (2009-2012) this comedy series went out on top with it's final season averaging 23.3 million viewers and was Gen-TV's second most-watched sitcom of the season (after "Over My Head" which averaged 36.5 million for its third season). It may seem like a lifetime ago, but this series was once considered a landmark comedy and became something of a signature series for Gen-TV, who made many programming decisions trying to emulate the success of this show.

It ended its run in 2012 after four seasons due to a combination of financial reasons (production costs rising, showing no signs of decreasing) and creative struggles (writers felt they had no ideas left and the story had come to a conclusion.) It entered syndication in 2014 and was an instant success; airing on Lifetime, Oxygen, WE, E, TVLand, Nick@Nite, TBS, USA and Bravo over various time periods. It was always a success in second-run, and remained available until 2016 when Gen-TV moved it exclusively to Stream-Me.

It has sold well on DVD and streamed on Netflix and Hulu until 2016. Internationally it has been a solid performer, with runs overseas in various countries starting in 2015. It currently airs in over 68 countries.

Overall Profits: 165.83 million

What is the most profitable show in Gen-TV History? Answering that question is the goal of this Hollywood Now list. Over the last 10 seasons (It'll be 11 in September) Gen-TV has made billions of dollars and produced some memorable and popular series; such as "Mallory's of Jefferson County" and "Over My Head". But which series reigns supreme? We'll answer that question as we countdown the 25 most profitable series in Gen-TV History; looking at a variety of factors including Domestic Revenue, International Revenue, Syndication and Streaming Profitability, DVD/Home Video Sales/Merchandising Sales, Emmy and Golden Globe Nominations/Wins and Overall Popularity.

Over the next several weeks we'll attempt to answer that question, in small groups until we reach #1. Here is the next batch:

17: Clue: Launched in 2009 and running until 2015, this game show was an early success for Gen-TV Studios syndication arm. It brought a lot of publicity and massive ratings for what was at the time, a relatively new studio. Coupled with celebrity participants playing the characters of the classic board game, this fun and lively series was an immediate hit. So successful in fact that it eventually launched a spin-off series "Super Clue" that ran briefly on Gen-TV Networks primetime schedule.

Around the world "Clue" was a big success, airing at its peak in more than 50 countries and being the #1 American game show in the UK for four seasons straight. Game shows obviously have limited appeal on DVD, so it hasn't generated much profits from that except a few "Best of Clue" sets released in 2012 that generated a decent profit. On Streaming, classic episodes of the series have aired on Stream-ME since 2018 and select episodes have been available on Amazon Prime since 2016.

Overall, Clue has been a very successful series for Gen-TV Studios, generating a massive profit.

Overall Profit: 165.87 million dollars

16. Deidre Hall: Launching in 2009 and ending in 2013, this daytime talk show was an immediate triumph for Gen-TV. Starring the popular star of soap opera "Days of Our Lives" while she was on a hiatus from the series, this topical series mixed social issues with light general interest in a format that grabbed viewers in droves. It's 2009 debut episode drew over six million viewers and set a record at the time for the highest debut of a talk show, topping the record set in 1996 by "The Rosie O'Donnell Show". Later in 2009, the series achieved another milestone when it became the first talk show in history to dethrone "The Oprah Winfrey Show" as the #1 rated talker in the country when it reached 40.0 million viewers.

The success of this talk show helped launch Gen-TV's daytime schedule which was struggling at that point and relied heavily on reruns of sitcoms and old soap operas. By 2012 however, Hall grew tired of the format, viewers began to drift away and Gen-TV management experienced sudden turn-over and support for the show began to wain away as they attempted (and often failed) to launch similar talk shows. Speaking on the series rocky final few seasons, Hall reflected in a 2014 article for the Hollywood Now saying "After we topped Oprah it seemed that our support within Gen-TV diminished. We had reached the top and had nowhere left to go. Suddenly, development for Gen-TV was based on finding talk shows that would replicate our format and often failed to do so with any sort of artistry." Touche, in the years following her, Gen-TV launched several talk shows featuring daytime soap stars including Susan Lucci, Lisa Rinna and Jackie Zeman; but not had the long-lasting success of "Deidre Hall".

Internationally, this show was one of the few (alongside Oprah, Jerry Springer, Maury Povich and Rosie O'Donnell) to find lasting success. In Germany it remains the most-watched American program ever, after "Baywatch" and "Melrose Place." In France, it aired to such acclaim that in November 2016, they declared every March 2nd as "Deidre Hall Day" a national holiday in which French people (mostly men for some reason) call out of work and watch reruns of the show.

It has had a fantastic shelf life after it's run with reruns airing on Lifetime from 2010 until 2015 and on Oxygen from 2015 until 2016. In 2016, it reruns moved exclusively to Stream-ME and aired until 2018. It was the #10th rated series on Stream-ME for the entirety of it's run there. in 2011 Gen-TV Studios released four "Best Of" boxed sets featuring over 70 episodes of the show and all of them remained best-sellers throughout 2012 and 2013.

Overall Profits: 179.55 million dollars