CBS Lost The Perfect Sci-Fi Show To Revive The Genre On Network TV

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CBS missed a chance to revive science fiction on network television by letting a promising show slip away. With so many ways to watch TV now, traditional networks are facing tough competition from streaming services like Netflix, which are investing heavily in both licensed and original programming.

There’s still plenty of good television on traditional channels. The 2025-2026 season saw strong episodes from both new shows like Matlock and long-running favorites such as NCIS and Law & Order: SVU. There’s also a wide variety of genres available, including comedies, thrillers, and shows about police and emergency responders. However, one area where there’s a noticeable gap is science fiction.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Will Stream On HBO Max Instead Of Broadcasting On CBS

Image by Milica Djordjevic

When news came out that Chuck Lorre wanted to continue the world of The Big Bang Theory with a new show as Young Sheldon finished, many people naturally expected it to air on CBS. That’s because the entire franchise has been a part of the network since it began in 2007.

A lot has happened since the initial announcement of Stuart Fails To Save The Universe. The show will be different from what came before – it’s now a science fiction series. The story follows Stuart Bloom as he embarks on a quest to repair reality after accidentally breaking an invention created by Sheldon and Leonard, which is causing everything to fall apart.

The show won’t be airing on CBS, as HBO Max has acquired it for streaming. Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment, explained that Warner Bros., having collaborated with HBO Max on the project, had first rights to it. She clarified that CBS was never even offered the show, despite their established working relationship with creator Chuck Lorre. While Reisenbach acknowledged they were disappointed, she confirmed CBS didn’t have the opportunity to bid on Stuart Fails To Save The Universe. You can find her complete statement below.

We weren’t involved in the decision. It was a joint effort between Warner Bros. and Max. While I’m personally a big fan of Chuck Lorre and The Big Bang Theory and excited to see more of that world, as a network executive, I’m naturally disappointed it’s ending, but that’s just how things go.

Why Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Could Have Been The Perfect Network TV Sci-Fi Show

As a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory, I always thought a spin-off like Stuart Saves The Universe would have been a total hit on CBS. Not just because it’s part of that world, but because it already had a fanbase ready to tune in! Plus, we already knew and loved the characters, which would have given it a really good chance of succeeding right from the start.

The show’s humor would make it easy to watch consistently, similar to shows like The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Unlike many sci-fi series, it wouldn’t require a lot of backstory, so the main story could be established quickly. While the episode length is still undecided, it’s likely to be around thirty minutes, mirroring its previous shows. However, because it’s a streaming series, it will have fewer episodes overall.

Had CBS been able to acquire Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, it could have sparked a revival of science fiction on network television. Given the talent involved, the show has a strong chance of success, which would likely encourage other creators to explore the genre with fresh and innovative ideas.

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2026-01-24 19:18