Death, taxes, and “The Simpsons.” The FOX Network has renewed its Animation Domination lineup, featuring “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” and “Bob’s Burgers.” All three shows have been locked in for two-year renewals as part of a landmark agreement, per an official announcement from FOX Entertainment and 20th Television Animation.
The renewal makes “The Simpsons” the longest-running scripted series in television history.
‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Family Guy,’ And ‘Bob’s Burgers’ All Get Two-Year Renewals From FOX
The two-year renewal for “The Simpsons’ will take the show to its 35th and 36th seasons. “Family Guy” will receive 22nd and 23rd seasons, and “Bob’s Burgers” goes up to Seasons 14 and 15. The renewals will take all three shows to the 2024-2025 broadcast cycle.
FOX Entertainment President of Scripted programming Michael Thorn made the announcement this week. FOX is calling the landmark agreement part of the company’s “content-first approach.” All three shows are now owned by Disney after the corporation acquired FOX’s entertainment assets, which completed in March 2019. However, the acquisition did not include the FOX Network.
Speaking on the announcement in a press release, Thorn commented, “With this trio of renewals, we celebrate excellence in animation on FOX, our wonderful, long-time partnership with 20th Television, and the brilliant creators and incredible voices behind these forever favorites.” The executive continued, “Three-plus decades of ‘The Simpsons,’ more than two decades of ‘Family Guy’ and over a decade of ‘Bob’s Burgers’ proves the enduring power of the animation genre on our network and the infinite fan affinity for these outrageously funny comedy classics.”
To date, “The Simpsons” has had 740 episodes, along with one theatrical film. “Family Guy” has had 400 episodes, and “Bob’s Burgers” has had 248. Obviously, these renewals will keep the shows going a lot longer, and those episode counts are going to significantly increase.
All three shows currently rank in the Top 10 comedies for the 2022-23 Season. It’s the fourth for “The Simpsons,” fifth for “Family Guys,” and the second consecutive season for “Bob’s Burgers” topping the list. FOX also revealed that “Family Guy” ranks as the network’s most-streamed program on record and continues that trend this season. The show averages 5.1 million P2+ viewers.
“The Simpsons” was created by Matt Groening. The dysfunctional members of the Simpsons clan first appeared in a series of animated shorts featured as part of “The Tracey Ullman Show” in 1987. The characters later spun off into their own half-hour animated sitcom in 1989, and the show remains on the air to this day. The animated series eventually received a theatrical film, “The Simpsons Movie,” which was released in 2007. The film earned $183 million domestically and $536 million worldwide.
Created by Seth MacFarlane, “Family Guy” originally aired on FOX from 1999-2001 before being unceremoniously canceled. The show found renewed life on DVD and syndicated broadcasts on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. It did so well after its initial cancelation that the show managed to receive an unheard-of revival and returned to the airwaves starting in 2005, where it has remained on the air since.
“Bob’s Burgers” debuted on FOX in 2011. The show received its first theatrical film released in theaters last May 2022.
Viewers can check out every season of “The Simpsons” up to Season 33 right now on Disney+. “Family Guy” and “Bob’s Burgers” have their libraries streaming now on Hulu.
