Nothing is worse for television enthusiasts than getting addicted to a show, only for it to disappear before its narrative truly begins. But here’s the catch: even if those episodes remain alive through streaming, the score that made them shine often does not. Licensing agreements run out, physical box sets disappear, and all of a sudden, the soundtrack that defined a moment is replaced with some bland alternative. Let’s look at 10 shows that didn’t last long, and why their soundtracks are part of what makes their cancellation hurt even harder.
10. Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013)
This biting, edgy comedy had Krysten Ritter in top comedic form and even earned a Critics’ Choice Award. Too bad out-of-order episodes and flimsy scheduling were its undoing. Although the soundtrack was not its strongest selling point, it remains an early illustration of how network mismanagement can wreck a show before it reaches its peak.
9. The Society (2019)
A teenage town without adults, a Lord of the Flies-like battle for dominance, it was a sleeper hit on Netflix and even got a second season renewed. Then COVID halted production, and season two never materialized. Worse still, the soundtrack will not endure well in streaming purgatory, as music rights can change over the years. A double whammy to fans left with a cliffhanger.
8. High Fidelity (2020)
Zoë Kravitz added her own twist to the iconic novel and movie, writing a contemporary, hip love letter to music fanatics. But just when it was getting in its groove, Hulu cancelled it. The actual tragedy is its expertly crafted soundtrack. With rising licensing fees, there’s no guarantee the music will survive intact for anyone who might see it later.
7. FlashForward (2009–2010)
From the sci-fi novel of Robert J. Sawyer, this dramedy of mystery had a killer premise: everyone sees six months ahead. It began well, but network desires and an oversized episode order caused it to falter. When season two was promised, the show was already canceled. And like many shows from its time period, its music was only cleared for use in a restricted fashion, so those cues might already be gone forever.
6. Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)
One of the all-time greatest one-season wonders, Freaks and Geeks gave us stars James Franco, Linda Cardellini, and Seth Rogen. The reason it stands out is that its soundtrack made it through the licensing gauntlet. Due to producers being strong advocates, when you watch it now, you still hear iconic songs by The Who, Styx, and Rush. That kind of victory for viewers is unfortunately the exception, not the rule.
5. Veronica Mars (2004–2019)
The fandom for this show was so dedicated that it literally brought the series back from the dead through crowdfunding. And although it received a movie and a revival season, Veronica Mars always appeared to exist on borrowed time. The angsty, indie-fueled soundtrack was a massive component of its draw, but short of owning the DVDs, there’s no assurance future streams will maintain all those songs.
4. Jessica Jones (2015–2019)
Krysten Ritter appears once again on this list, this time in one of Marvel’s highest-quality small-screen endeavors. Dark, grounded, and nuanced, Jessica Jones was the best of the Netflix Marvel offerings. Its ominous score and ambient tracks put it over the top. But with Disney taking back control of the Marvel name, licensing agreements may mean the sound you’ll hear in the future is slightly different from what played in the past.
3. Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)
Half fairy tale, half romance, half crime drama, this series was absolute magic. It took home seven Emmys and had comic book or movie-continuation plans that never came to fruition. A large component of its whimsical charm was its soundtrack, which might not entirely translate to streaming. The DVDs are still the best way to see it in its original form.
2. My So-Called Life (1994–1995)
Claire Danes and Jared Leto delivered unforgettable performances in this teen drama that refused to be used to and sugarcoated. Sadly, it lasted only one season. To rub salt in the wound, its original music wasn’t always licensed for extended use, so the streaming versions regularly substitute generic stand-ins—robbing fans of the soundtrack that captured a generation.
1. Firefly (2002–2003)
Joss Whedon’s sci-fi western was meant to run for years, but lasted only a season. It exists as one of television’s greatest cult hits, but its signature soundtrack—half western twang, half science fiction epic—has the same destiny as most on this list. With physical media gone and streaming rights ever-shifting, the only way to save Firefly as it was originally intended to be experienced is still the DVD box set.
When a wonderful show is canceled, you’re left with a hole. But when the music that defined it is lost as well, that absence somehow feels deeper. Streaming is handy, yes, but with expiring licenses and changed soundtracks, it can’t always retain that magic the way you experienced it initially. If you really adore a series, keeping the physical copies on hand may be the only means of ensuring both the tape and the soundtrack remain in one piece.