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Published Jan 24, 2026, 11:28 AM EST
Ana Dumaraog is a Writer and Editor at Screen Rant, where she expertly covers Network TV offerings, among other things
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CBS could have kickstart the renaissance of sci-fi on network TV if it didn't lose the perfect show for its relaunch. As people find various ways to consume media, traditional broadcasting has found itself in intense competition with streaming platforms, which have been increasingly prevalent. Aside from licensing content, Netflix and its peers have also increased its efforts in producing original content.
That isn't to say that there's a shortage of quality storytelling on basic channels. During the 2025-2026 TV cycle, network shows have released many solid episodes, both from new shows like Matlock and small screen institutions such as NCIS and Law & Order: SVU. It also doesn't have any shortage of genres, including comedies, thrillers, and police/first-responder procedurals. One sandbox, however, that is lacking is sci-fi stories.
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Will Stream On HBO Max Instead Of Broadcasting On CBS
Image by Milica DjordjevicWhen it was announced that Chuck Lorre was planning to expand The Big Bang Theory franchise again as Young Sheldon was ending, there was an assumption that it would also end up on CBS. After all, the franchise has lived on the network since its inception in 2007.
So much has changed since then, including the confirmation of pertinent information about Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, which will be a departure from its predecessor, in a way that it is a sci-fi show. In it, Stuart Bloom goes on an adventure to fix the reality that threatens to splinter after he destroyed Sheldon and Leonard's invention.
Beyond that, it also won't be on CBS, as HBO Max picked it up for their streaming portfolio. When asked about the matter, CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach explained that because Warner Bros. worked with HBO Max on the project, they got dibs on it. She added that Stuart Fails To Save The Universe was never offered to them, despite their long working relationship with Lorre. Reisenbach did admit, however, that they were disappointed about it. Read her full quote below:
It was never brought into us. Clearly that was something that [Big Bang producers] Warner Bros. and Max worked on together. But it was not brought into our side of the business. As a fan of all things Chuck Lorre and Big Bang Theory, I’m thrilled that there will continue to be more of the Big Bang Theory universe. As a network president, of course I’m disappointed, but such is life.
Why Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Could Have Been The Perfect Network TV Sci-Fi Show
Aside from the fact that The Big Bang Theory franchise has always lived on CBS, there are other reasons why Stuart Fails To Save The Universe would have been the perfect sci-fi show on network TV. For starters, because of its ties to an established property, there's already a built-in audience that would at least check it when it debuted. The characters on the show have all been established, increasing the chances of it succeeding.
Because of its comedic nature, it would also have been easier to follow it week after week — like The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. It wouldn't be lore-heavy compared to other sci-fi shows, so setting up its overall story shouldn't take that long. As of now, it's unclear how long each episode will be, but if it follows its predecessors' format, it would be a half-hour show. Unfortunately, being on streaming means that it will have significantly fewer episodes.
Ultimately, if CBS was able to secure Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, it could have kicked off a sci-fi renaissance on network TV. If it succeeds, which it has a good chance of doing so simply because of the people involved, it would have inspired other creators to dip their toes back into the genre and be more inventive about it.
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