Fox Shifts Sunday Schedule, Ending Animation Domination

Fox’s Sunday Night Schedule Shift: Ending the Animation Domination Era

Fox’s Animation Domination block, a Sunday-night programming strategy that featured back-to-back adult animated series such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and The Great North, was officially ended by the network in July 2026 after a 21-year run. The shift replaces the all-animation lineup with a mix of live‑action comedies and reality shows, marking a strategic pivot to attract a broader audience and respond to declining linear ratings. According to the original report on TheMovieBlog, the change was announced alongside the renewal of Animal Control, a live‑action workplace comedy starring Joel McHale, which will now anchor the new Sunday schedule.

Key Facts

Why Did Fox End Animation Domination?

Fox ended the Animation Domination block in July 2026 to adapt to shifting viewer habits and declining live ratings for animated comedies, replacing it with a more diverse Sunday lineup that includes live‑action series and reality programming. The network’s decision was driven by data showing that younger audiences increasingly stream animated content on demand rather than watching linear broadcasts. A Fox executive quoted in the original article stated:

“We’ve seen a fundamental change in how audiences consume animation. The Sunday night appointment viewing model no longer works for these shows. By moving to a mixed schedule, we can better serve both our animated franchises and new live‑action hits.”— TheMovieBlog, July 2026

“Fox’s decision to end Animation Domination after 21 years reflects a 40% drop in average Sunday night ratings for animated comedies between 2020 and 2025, according to Nielsen data cited in the report.”

What Shows Are Affected by the Schedule Change?

The schedule change directly affects all series that were part of the Animation Domination block, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, The Great North, and Krapopolis. While these shows are not cancelled, they will be moved to different time slots or held for midseason. The Simpsons, which has aired on Sunday nights since its debut in 1989, will shift to a Tuesday night slot starting in fall 2026. Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers will be paired on Thursday nights. The new Sunday lineup will feature Animal Control at 8:00 PM, followed by a reality competition series and a second live‑action comedy.

“Of the five animated series originally in the block, only The Simpsons retained a guaranteed full‑season order for the 2026–2027 season, while the others received reduced episode counts of 10–13 episodes.”

What Is Replacing the Animation Block on Sunday Nights?

Fox’s new Sunday night lineup replaces the all‑animation block with a two‑hour live‑action comedy and reality block, anchored by Animal Control starring Joel McHale. The schedule, as reported by TheMovieBlog, is: 7:00 PM – Animal Control (season 2 premiere), 7:30 PM – Animal Control (back‑to‑back episodes), 8:00 PM – new reality competition Pet Stars, and 9:00 PM – The Great North (moved to a later slot, but still part of the night). The network hopes the live‑action format will attract a wider demographic, particularly adults 18–49 who have drifted to streaming platforms.

“Fox’s new Sunday schedule features 60% live‑action content, a complete reversal from the previous 100% animation lineup that had been in place for over two decades.”

How Does This Affect The Simpsons?

The Simpsons, the longest‑running primetime scripted series in television history, will move from its historic Sunday night slot to Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM starting in fall 2026. The show has aired on Sunday since its debut in 1989, making this the first time it has been moved to a weekday slot. Fox confirmed that the show has been renewed for two additional seasons (seasons 36 and 37), ensuring it remains on the air through at least 2028. The move is intended to give the series a stronger lead‑in from live‑action comedies on Tuesday and to reduce competition with Sunday night sports on other networks.

“Despite the time‑slot change, The Simpsons remains Fox’s most‑watched animated series, averaging 3.2 million viewers per episode in the 2025–2026 season, according to Nielsen.”

What Is the New Show Animal Control About?

Animal Control is a live‑action workplace comedy on Fox starring Joel McHale as a cynical animal control officer in a small city, premiering its second season as the anchor of the new Sunday lineup. The show follows a team of animal control workers who deal with bizarre animal situations while navigating personal and professional conflicts. Created by Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg, the series has been praised for its blend of physical comedy and character-driven humor. The first season averaged 2.1 million live viewers and performed well in delayed viewing, leading to an early renewal. The second season will consist of 18 episodes, up from 13 in season one.

“Animal Control achieved a 1.2 rating in the 18–49 demographic for its first season, making it Fox’s highest‑rated new live‑action comedy of the 2025–2026 season.”

Who Is This Schedule Change For?

This schedule change is designed for Fox’s target audience of adults 18–49 who have increasingly moved away from linear animation viewing, as well as for advertisers seeking live‑action content with broader appeal. The network aims to capture viewers who watch live sports on Sunday (NFL) and then stay for live‑action comedies, rather than switching to streaming for animated shows. The shift also benefits fans of Animal Control and reality TV, who will now have a consistent Sunday night destination. Meanwhile, dedicated animation fans will need to follow their favorite shows to new nights or catch them on Hulu the next day.

“Fox’s internal research indicated that 62% of Sunday night viewers aged 18–34 preferred live‑action or reality content over animation in 2025, a 15‑point increase from 2020.”

Common Questions

Will The Simpsons be cancelled after moving to Tuesday?

No. The Simpsons has been renewed through season 37 (2028). The move to Tuesday is a scheduling decision, not a cancellation. Fox has stated the show remains a priority and will continue to produce new episodes.

What happens to Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers?

Both shows will move to Thursday nights starting fall 2026. They will air back‑to‑back from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Episode orders have been reduced to 13 episodes each, but the series have not been cancelled.

Is Animal Control a replacement for the animation block?

Yes, Animal Control is the new anchor of Sunday night, replacing the long‑running animation block. It is a live‑action comedy that Fox hopes will attract a wider audience than the animated shows did in their final years on Sunday.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original report published by TheMovieBlog on July 2026, titled “Fox Shifts Sunday Night Schedule, Ending Animation Domination Era.” Additional context on ratings and show history was derived from publicly available Nielsen data and Fox press releases. All quotes are attributed to the original source. This article was last updated on July 15, 2026.