The staff costs for sitcoms don't get to be that high until the show has already established itself as a ratings draw. So as a network, you can invest in 10 shi

The staff costs for sitcoms don't get to be that high until the show has already established itself as a ratings draw. So as a network, you can invest in 10 shitty sitcoms, pay tons of money to the 2 or 3 shows that actually build an audience and come out ahead. You have to invest a lot of money into a Sci Fi show before it even makes it in front of an audience, which means it's a riskier bet. TV executives hate risk, so there aren't a lot of Sci Fi shows on TV right now.