The now classic TV sitcom "Married... with children" TV show was on the verge of being cancelled when a mishmash of protest groups (led by feminists and housewives I believe?) tried to get the show off the air.
Instead of the show being cancelled as was planned it ended up using that publicity to not only go on a 11(?) year run, but along with The Simpson's (another show with protestors in its past), managed to save/establish FOX and became the second longest running show of its generation (behind The Simpsons, at just under 300 episodes?).
Good work holier-than-thou types!
Southpark and Family Guy have ridden similar waves.
Claeren.