I think there's a kind of reverse effect to the one you described as well: several of the shows on that list had a weak performance during the early part of the

I think there's a kind of reverse effect to the one you described as well: several of the shows on that list had a weak performance during the early part of the season when they were cancelled but then picked up later, presumably after the decision had already been made and it was too late to renew for another season. Watching right through on a streaming service or box set, you remember the strong final episodes, but those probably weren't even considered yet by the time the show was canned.