The Future Of Fox Animation: Family Guy Is "Crucial" To Network

Family Guy, The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers are heading into the last year of their current deal and despite some moves in the schedule, Fox is keen to keep them going.

This comes as Family Guy is moving to midseason – the first time in nearly 20 years that it has not been on the network’s fall schedule.

The show is moving to make room for new animated series Universal Basic Guys, which was just renewed for a second season ahead of its debut, and will be paired with Krapopolis as well as veterans The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers.

Fox Television Network President Michael Thorn said it was balancing keeping its long-running legacy series, while launching new Fox-owned series.

He said that series such as Family Guy are still of “crucial importance” to it and its audience. He said that the “beloved” show would receive a full season order, despite its move.

“We talk a lot about looking at the schedule in a more modern way and rather than looking simply at the traditional time slots of shows, we look at our entire portfolio. We also think about SVOD partner in Hulu and how it would work best for them. Scheduling has changed significantly over the years and we approach it in a different way now,” added Fox CEO Rob Wade.

Asked as to whether Fox was preparing for a future without The Simpsons, Family Guy or Bob’s Burgers, Wade added that it was “very, very happy” with these shows but was also “very, very happy” with its new shows. “I think we have enough schedule, enough time to fit them all in. The schedule has obviously been disrupted slightly in the last year because of the strikes, so that made things a little bit patchier but we love those shows, we have a great relationship with the creatives from those shows and we have a great relationship with Hulu and Disney. We’re seeing more and more how important the broadcast network is and how important that windowing is and you need a broadcast window for shows to cut through… I think these shows really benefit from being on Fox and I think Disney recognizes that,” he added.

The Simpsons is heading into Season 36, Bob’s Burgers is heading into Season 15 and Family Guy is heading into its Season 23. All three shows are produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation.