The 10 Most Requested TV Shows Not Available on a Major Streaming Service — and Where to Potentially Find Them
There are countless classic TV series that have yet to find a streaming home — but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t available in some capacity. That’s where we come in!
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TVLine recently asked you, our beloved readers, to pick just one — and only one — show that you wish you could binge-watch that isn’t available on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video et al. In doing so, we received hundreds of comments with requests for multiple Emmy-winning comedies and dramas, iconic primetime soaps and various procedurals of the law-and-order variety, as well as myriad cult classics and one-season wonders.
We then took stock of the most sought-after shows of all. We scoured free and paid streaming platforms on the off chance that they were available. If not, we then went in search of physical media and digital downloads.
Before we reveal our findings, here are some fun facts…
? All of the most sought-after shows originally aired on a major broadcast network — ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC.
? The oldest series cited bowed in 1979, while the newest one debuted 21 years later, in 2000.
? The following shows received a combined 248 Emmy nominations (and 50 wins).
? Two of the most sought-after series share a prolific creator: David E. Kelley.
? Only one of the following series is a half-hour sitcom. It’s also the only series that was eventually revived.
? The most sought-after show was mentioned in nearly nine percent of all responses to our original post.
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10. MURPHY BROWN
11 seasons, 260 episodes — select seasons on DVD and digital
Candice Bergen took home five Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, while the show was named Outstanding Comedy in 1992. Alas, neither the original 10 seasons nor the 2018 revival can be found on a streaming platform — likely due to cost-prohibitive music rights. (As you’ll recall, Murphy loved Motown!) Thankfully, reruns air weeknights on Rewind TV (check your local listings).
BUY:
Season 1: DVD
Season 11/revival season: Digital
9. CHICAGO HOPE
6 seasons, 141 episodes — not available on DVD or digital
David E. Kelley’s Chicago-set CBS medical drama had the misfortune of launching the same year as another Chicago-set medical drama, NBC’s ER, which immediately eclipsed it in the ratings. But Chicago Hope was no slouch: It was nominated for 42 Emmys, and made winners out of Mandy Patinkin (for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1995) and Hector Elizondo (for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1997).
Unfortunately, the procedural never hit the DVD market. According to a 2016 piece in Vulture, the culprit is — you guessed it! — music rights. (You can blame Dr. Geiger’s habit of bursting out into showtunes for this one.)
8. BOSTON PUBLIC
4 seasons, 81 episodes — not available on DVD or digital
Another revered David E. Kelley drama lost in the digital age. Fox’s Peabody Award-winning program (whose ensemble included Chi McBride, Loretta Devine, Rashida Jones, Jeri Ryan and Michael Rappaport, just to name a few) was previously syndicated on TV One, but has since been unavailable to watch anywhere.
7. SISTERS
6 seasons, 128 episodes — all available on DVD
Sela Ward earned her first of two career Emmys for her portrayal of Teddy in NBC’s early ’90s family drama, which also featured then-up-and-comers George Clooney and Paul Rudd.
Update (Aug. 30, 2024): Sisters is now streaming on Plex.
BUY:
Seasons 1 & 2: DVD
Season 3: DVD
Season 4: DVD
Season 5: DVD
Season 6: DVD
6. CHINA BEACH
4 seasons, 61 episodes — all available on DVD
Dana Delany won a pair of Emmys for her turn as First Lieutenant (and later Captain) Colleen McMurphy on this Vietnam War-era drama, which also featured future CSI star Marg Helgenberger.
BUY:
The Complete Series: DVD
5. NORTHERN EXPOSURE
6 seasons, 110 episodes — all available on DVD and Digital
Prior to playing Numb3rs FBI agent Don Eppes, Rob Morrow starred as fresh-faced physician Joel Fleischman in this early-’90s classic, which took home the 1992 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.
Update (Jan. 4, 2024): Northern Exposure is now streaming on Prime Video.
BUY:
Season 1: DVD / Digital
Season 2: DVD / Digital
Season 3: DVD / Digital
Season 4: DVD / Digital
Season 5: DVD / Digital
Season 6: DVD / Digital
The Complete Series: DVD
4. MOONLIGHTING
5 seasons, 67 episodes — all available on DVD
It’s not quite time to get your walk-by-night, fly-by-day shoes on. But there is hope: In October 2022, Glenn Gordon Caron, who created the iconic ’80s dramedy, confirmed that “the business of getting all five seasons of Moonlighting starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd ready for streaming has begun!”
Update (Oct. 10, 2023): Moonlighting is now streaming on Hulu.
BUY:
Seasons 1 & 2: DVD
Season 3: DVD
Season 4: DVD
Season 5: DVD
3. KNOTS LANDING
14 seasons, 344 episodes — select seasons available on DVD
Episodes of the beloved Dallas spinoff are especially hard to come by. Twelve (out of 14) seasons have yet to be released in any capacity. (For what it’s worth: The OG Dallas is available, with ads, on Freevee, as is fellow ’80s soap Falcon Crest. Dynasty, meanwhile, is available commercial free on Prime Video.)
Update (Aug. 30, 2024): Knots Landing is now streaming on Plex.
BUY:
Season 1: DVD
Season 2: DVD
2. ED
4 seasons, 83 episodes — not available on DVD or Digital
Oh, how we wish we could return to Stuckeyville! Tom Cavanugh’s early-aughts NBC dramedy — which also starred Julie Bowen, Justin Long and Michael Ian Black — remains a fan-favorite, but music rights are allegedly at least partly to blame for its vanishing following its 2004 finale.
1. HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET
7 seasons, 122 episodes — all available on DVD
The most sought-after show of all! The NBC cop drama was the recipient of 17 Emmy nominations and four wins — including Outstanding Lead Actor for future Brooklyn Nine-Nine scene stealer Andre Braugher, who first made a name for himself as Baltimore detective Frank Pembleton. The police procedural also introduced audiences to Det. John Munch (played by the late Richard Belzer), who made the move to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit following Homicide‘s conclusion in 1999. Alas, music rights issues/clearance costs are what’s keeping people from streaming its excellence anew or for the very first time.
Update (Aug. 19, 2024): Homicide: Life on the Street is now streaming on Peacock.
BUY:
The Complete Series: DVD
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