Every new television season ushers in a wave of debut shows that carry with them high expectations, from both the audiences and the networks eager to promote them.
Although the shows may star huge names, revive old franchises, or become critical favorites, they ultimately have to win over the viewers. And it's tough to live up to the hype in today's TV landscape.
Business Insider looked at the 2015-2016 season's crop of TV shows that actually lived up to or exceeded expectations, as networks make the big decisions about what stays and what goes.
From "Ash vs. Evil Dead" to the "X-Files" revival, here are the 11 most successful new shows of the past TV year:
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"The X-Files" (Fox)
It was a coup for both Fox and fans that the creator and stars of "The X-Files" reunited almost 14 years after the show went off the air. But everyone wondered, would fans actually show up? The answer is yes. It not only opened big but it ended up being the highest-rated show of the 2015-2016 TV year.
And, of course, Fox wants more. For the fans' sake, we hope it doesn't take another 14 years.
"Blindspot" (NBC)
It was clear that "Blindspot," which stars "Thor's" Jaimie Alexander, was a top priority for NBC when it scheduled the show's premiere after its highly-rated "The Voice." In turn, "Blindspot" took the lead in ratings above every new show that had premiered at the time. It ended up being the third-highest-rated show of the TV year.
"Chicago Med" (NBC)
In the spirit of franchises like "NCIS" and "Law & Order," Dick Wolf's third "Chicago Fire" spin-off really had to prove itself worthy of the franchise. That it did. Despite mixed reviews from critics, fans voted with their remote controls. NBC is already developing a fourth show, "Chicago Law."
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