During this week’s FOX Upfront event in New York, which is where the entertainment company tries to sell its shows to advertisers for the upcoming year, FOX confirmed that “Family Guy” will now be returning with a new season next year, where it will premiere on the FOX channel, before becoming available on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ the following day.

“Family Guy” features the adventures of the Griffin family. Endearingly ignorant Peter and his stay-at-home wife Lois reside in Quahog, R.I., and have three kids. Meg, the eldest child, is a social outcast, and teenage Chris is awkward and clueless when it comes to the opposite sex. The youngest, Stewie, is a genius baby bent on killing his mother and destroying the world. The talking dog, Brian, keeps Stewie in check while sipping martinis and sorting through his own life issues.

However, the show will be held back for a midseason premiere, but it will return in 2025 with a full series. Being bumped back to midseason will also delay its release on Disney+ internationally.

This isn’t the first time that “Family Guy” has shifted its release schedule on FOX, as it recently moved from Sunday nights to Wednesdays, since FOX has been wanting to promote new animated series.

Fox Network president Michael Thorn explained to reporters at the Upfront event why the change was happening:

“It’s still a crucial part of our [schedule.  We’ll give it a great relaunch for that part of our lineup, and we know that when it comes back on Sundays, it will resonate with our audience the way it always has.”

Michael also revealed that most of “Family Guy” viewership is now happening on Hulu (and Hulu On Disney+) after its initial airing, and also having a long run of new episodes helps the show overall.

Disney has previously announced that two “Family Guy” holiday specials will be coming out on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States for Halloween and Christmas, which will mean fans won’t have to wait too long for new “Family Guy” adventures.

While “Family Guy” was created by Disney’s 20th Television Animation a few years ago, FOX ordered the series and thus get first dibs on airing show.    Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade also said he still sees a future for “Family Guy”, along with “Bob’s Burgers” and “The Simpsons” on the network.

“We love them, and we have great relationships with the creators, and with Hulu and Disney as well.  They need a broadcast window. They really benefit from being on Fox, and I think Disney recognizes that.”

The previous seasons of “Family Guy” are available to stream now on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+.

Roger’s POV:   It makes sense from FOX’s point of view to try to get audiences used to watching their own original shows, rather than the long-running favourites.  It also makes sense that with so many animated series being released, they are spread out throughout the year.  And with FOX’s multi-year deal set to expire soon, with “Family Guy” being one of the most watched shows on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ in the United States and Disney+ globally, I’d fully expect the show to continue even if FOX no longer wished to air it.

Are you looking forward to the return of “Family Guy”?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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