Next year’s 10 most important new TV shows

Every January brings a slew of new shows to broadcast, cable and, increasingly, streaming video on demand.

These new TV shows often replace ones that have been struggling, at least on broadcast, and are increasingly seen as potential difference-makers.

After all, two of the biggest hits of the past 15 years, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Empire,” began as midseason replacements.

The following 10 programs are the new TV shows that stand to make the biggest splash at midseason, whether through strong ratings, influence on their network, or sway with viewers.

The top new TV shows of 2017:

1. “Planet Earth II” (BBC America)

A decade ago, the nature series “Planet Earth” showed what an amazing difference high-definition television could make. With this sequel, three years in the making, the BBC may not break new ground but it should bring lots of viewers to the small cable network.

2. “The Defenders” (Netflix)

Netflix has been sewing the seeds for two years. The series will unite the stars of current dramas “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones” and “Luke Cage,” anecdotally some of its most popular programs, and the soon-to-bow “Iron Fist.” “Defenders” will build needed buzz for Netflix after a rather demoralizing Golden Globes campaign, in which its usual awards favorites such as “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black” were shut out.

3. “24: Legacy” (Fox)

Fox could use another signature drama beyond “Empire.” “24” helped the network rise to No. 1 among adults 18-49 more than a decade ago, and being able to extend the franchise despite the departure of star Kiefer Sutherland would give the network a much-needed reliable midseason franchise.

4. “Riverdale” (CW)

Can the CW do anything beyond comic book shows? The jury’s still very much out. While the network has two of the best overall programs on broadcast (“Jane the Virgin” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), it has yet to prove it can draw audiences for anything beyond those top four comic book programs.

“Riverdale,” a modern, darker take on the Archie comics, has an interesting concept and could draw a broader audience than the comic book fare.

5. “The Young Pope” (HBO)

This ambitious series, about yes, a young pope, stars Jude Law and will be presented as a miniseries. It could be a big deal for the network, which is riding high on the recent success of “The Night Of” and “Westworld” and could use the continued momentum with “Game of Thrones” not due back for months.

6. “Taboo” (FX)

Going back in time worked for FX with “The People versus O.J. Simpson.” This time it goes back a lot further, to the early 1800s. It follows a man who returns to Britain after a long journey to Africa. FX has, with the exception of “People,” launched few hits of late. This is a test of whether it still knows its audience.

7. “A Series of Unfortunate Events” (Netflix)

Kids’ programming is a hugely important, and probably underappreciated, part of the streaming video on demand services’ strategy. More and more kids eschew traditional TV for Netflix and Hulu, but most of the kids’ programs are aimed at kids 6 and under. This could appeal to tweens, giving Netflix further dimension.

8. “Victoria” (PBS)

Now that “Downton Abbey” is over, what will Brit-o-philes watch at midseason? PBS is hoping they’ll dive into this new series about Queen Victoria, which chronicles her early years. “Abbey” was PBS’s highest-rated series in years, so this would be a valuable audience to capture.

9. “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)

After Donald Trump won the presidency, Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel “Tale” was touted by the left as an example of the future that awaits us. That struck many as alarmist or just plain absurd, but regardless, Hulu could not have timed the premiere of this series better.

10. “The Good Fight” (CBS All Access)

CBS’s over-the-top service gets its first major push with this digital-only spinoff of “The Good Wife,” which was canceled last season. It’s a great test of whether content can really spark subscriptions.

Tags: broadcast, cable, streaming video on demand, svod, television, tv