 Firefly generated a loyal base of fans during its three @-@ month original broadcast run on Fox in late 2002 . These fans , self @-@ styled Browncoats , used online forums to organize and try to save the series from being canceled by Fox only three months after its debut . Their efforts included raising money for an ad in Variety magazine and a postcard writing campaign to UPN . While unsuccessful in finding a network that would continue the show , their support led to a release of the series on DVD in December 2003 . A subsequent fan campaign raised over $ 14 @,@ 000 in donations to have a purchased Firefly DVD set placed aboard 250 U.S. Navy ships by April 2004 for recreational viewing by their crews . 
