10 TV Shows With Massive Budgets That Failed

Netflix's first truly massive production was a period piece set in the Mongol Empire during the titular character's early years.

Up until then, Netflix were largely focussing on small-scale shows, but this time they decided to go big and rival some of HBO's biggest productions. In fact, when they commissioned Marco Polo for $9 million per episode, it became the second most expensive TV series in the world, behind only Game of Thrones.

But, needless to say, the cultural impact wasn't even close to that of the HBO flagship, and critics and fans alike were mostly blaming the writing. The show was visually stunning -- which is to be expected with a budget like that -- but the stories were often labelled as "dull" and "messy."

However, Netflix didn't let that faze them and they extended it for a second season, but the response was mostly the same and eventually they had to cut their losses and admit defeat. At the time of cancelling, the total cost of Marco Polo was reportedly in excess of $200 million.