Even though apps like Netflix and Hulu have brought thousands of shows to their platforms, there are still dozens of great series that aren’t available anywhere. In the age of binge-watching, many fans are shocked to find that their favorite shows can’t be streamed.
From comedy classics like That ’70s Show to hardboiled dramas like Homicide: Life on the Street, even the most acclaimed shows can slip through the cracks. Even though there are plenty of other series to watch, users on Reddit have taken to the site to mention shows that they wish could make their digital debuts.
Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971)
Shows from the golden age of television are often some of the most fun and nostalgic to revisit. However, user babypuncher_ learned they couldn’t watch one of their favorites, writing “During the dawn of HD television, Hogan’s Heroes was remastered…The show is no longer available anywhere”.
Perhaps the only comedy about WWII POWs, Hogan’s Heroes delighted audiences for years and poked fun at the evils of Nazi Germany which was still fresh in many viewers’ minds. Even though it is still highly sought after today, the only way fans can enjoy the show is by purchasing DVDs, and no service has made any plans to add it to their library any time soon.
Millennium (1996-1999)
The X-Files was a cultural phenomenon in the ’90s, and it spawned a few spin-offs that were set in the same universe. User cory120 mentioned one such show when they said “Millennium has never been available on streaming. I was hoping when The X-Files aired its season 10 something might happen but nope”.
The show concerned an FBI agent who joins a mysterious group that is tasked with stemming the rising tide of violent crime that seems to coincide with the new millennium. Generally considered one of Lance Henriksen’s best roles, Frank Black fits right into the X-Files tone. Though it wasn’t as successful as its predecessor, the show still managed to pack a big story in only three seasons.
Ed (2000-2004)
In the age of streaming, sitcoms have become especially binge-worthy, but that hasn’t stopped some cult classics from being overlooked. User beberama was descriptive with their favorite missing show, saying “Ed. A show on NBC about a lawyer who owns a bowling alley”.
The series ran for four successful seasons before it was canned, but it received a heap of critical praise during its run. Existing in that grey area of the decade before streaming, the show has never seen the home screen of a streaming app, even though many fans wish to revisit it. What’s worse, the series isn’t even available for purchase on DVD or Blu-Ray.
Tales From The Crypt (1989-1996)
With the high demand for horror content on streaming services, even the bottom of the barrel has been scraped to satiate the horror hounds. However, user Lunchboxradio noticed that Tales from the Crypt wasn’t available to stream, and said “I bought it when it came out years ago. It’s a shame it isn’t streaming”.
HBO’s anthology horror series was known for its thrills, chills, and an abundance of surprising guest stars. It was a humongous hit for the channel, and yet is sadly missing from their streaming service. Unfortunately for many boils and ghouls, the only way to watch the show is to purchase it in a home video format.
The Drew Carey Show (1995-2004)
Most shows missing from streaming were short-lived, or cult classics, but others were massive hits and their absence hasn’t gone unnoticed. User herrpuck praised a show they used to love watching, saying “Every time I watched (The Drew Carey Show), I liked it. That’s another I’ve noticed is nowhere to be found”.
Set in Carey’s hometown of Cleveland, the series focused on characters as they adjusted to their new job in an office. Carey was a force of nature in the ’90s, and his sitcom only helped to rocket his popularity as an affable everyman comic. The show ran for over 200 episodes, and only saw a DVD release of its first season before disappearing. With so many episodes, the show would surely be an asset to any platform.
Homicide: Life On The Street (1993-1999)
Cop procedurals were all the rage in the ’90s, but some shows went above and beyond to deliver gritty depictions of police work. User colleen1820 couldn’t believe a show was missing, writing “Homicide: Life on the Street. I’m most surprised that HBO Max hasn’t snatched up Homicide“.
Unflinching in its depiction of homicide investigations in the city of Baltimore, the series was often praised for its realism and its dark tone. Its reputation hasn’t diminished in the decades since, and it is still considered one of the best procedural programs of all time. Despite this, it hasn’t been picked up for streaming, even though it would fit right in amongst the current slate of police programming.
Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
While not always the most well-remembered shows, some series pop into viewers’ heads, and they wonder why they can’t be streamed. User Mac1780 speculated about a missing show when they said “I don’t think Northern Exposure streams anywhere because of music rights issues”.
The series concerned a young doctor from New York who is sent to a remote Alaskan town to pay off his college debts. Known for its elegant mix of humor and drama, the show was quite unlike anything else on TV in the early ’90s. Though it was released on DVD, the series has never been available to stream. Considering the fact that music was a big part of the show, it is unlikely to stream unless rights issues can be resolved.
WKRP In Cincinnati (1978-1982)
The ’70s was a new era for sitcoms, and many pushed the boundaries of the traditionally conservative genre. User mobyhead1 laid out their dream streaming scenario for a missing show when they wrote succinctly “WKRP in Cincinnati. With all of the originally-licensed music”.
When a soft-rock radio station switches formats to a modern rock sound, the denizens of WKRP must learn to keep up with their new fast-paced environment. The series was a smash hit and is still remembered as one of the best sitcoms of the 1970s. However, its reliance on actual music has put it in streaming limbo. Many fans wouldn’t want to see the show changed by editing, and therefore it is unlikely that it will be streaming anytime soon.
Murphy Brown (1988-1998)
When it comes to binge-worthy shows, the longest are usually the best as far as streaming services are concerned. User reasonedof expressed frustration that a long-running sitcom was AWOL, writing “Most of the original Murphy Brown. I think the first season or two are on DVD”.
Murphy Brown is a strong-willed reporter at a news magazine who navigates the fast-paced world of reporting with her co-workers that she frequently bumps heads. Edgy and ahead of its time, the show was one of the highlights of mainstream ’90s TV. Despite receiving a revival a few years back, it is sadly not available to stream. Worse still, a bulk of the show hasn’t even been transferred to home video formats.
That ’70s Show (1998-2006)
Even though some sitcoms are just as beloved as The Office or Seinfeld, they still haven’t received a long-term stay on any streaming platform. User anon2970375 was surprised to find a beloved show missing when they asked “Where can I watch That ’70s Show, I can’t find it on any streaming service”.
Chronicling the life of teenager Eric Forman in the second half of the ’70s, That ’70s Show managed to hilariously capture its decade while still being relatable to all generations. It aired on a major network and was a smash hit, but its streaming status has always been in flux. Perhaps its upcoming reboot, That ’90s Show, will help it secure a permanent streaming home.
