‘Family Guy’ Set to Return to Adult Swim in 2025

by

As a longtime fan of animated sitcoms, I can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia and excitement at the news that Family Guy is returning to Adult Swim. This show has been an integral part of my life since its inception, providing countless hours of laughter and entertainment.

Family Guy is set for another resurgence! Unlike the previous return after Fox canceled it post its second season, this time it’s heading back to the place that brought it back to life when the network doubted Peter Griffin and his misadventures would last long.

By the scheduled date, “Family Guy” will once again grace Adult Swim, the network that played a crucial role in reviving the show after Fox decided to cancel it following Season 2. Adult Swim had ceased broadcasting the popular animated sitcom three years ago, but they’ve now made a non-exclusive licensing agreement for the rights to older episodes of the series, which will start airing at the beginning of the new year. The show’s comeback on Adult Swim kicks off with a three-day marathon from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM EST/PST on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Its regular programming will be during Adult Swim’s primetime weekday slot between 10:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Apart from the Fox network, “Family Guy” can also be found on Comedy Central, FX, FXX, and Hulu.

The television network Adult Swim stopped broadcasting reruns of “Family Guy” when the license for the show expired in 2021. This was around the time Disney fully acquired 21st Century Fox, which owned “Family Guy” and other series produced by 20th Television. Michael Ouweleen, president of Adult Swim, expressed excitement about “Family Guy” returning to their programming in 2025. He stated that having “Family Guy” back on Adult Swim will complement the fantastic collection of original animated shows they have planned for the following year.

Family Guy’s Run Has Been Historic on Television

1999 marked the debut of “Family Guy,” however, despite a promising start after the Super Bowl XXXIII broadcast, the series faced difficulties in viewership during its early stages. Fox chose to end the series at the close of its second season; however, they later reversed this decision and commissioned thirteen episodes for a third season instead. Placed on Thursday evenings at 8:00 PM, it found itself competing against giants like “Survivor” and “Friends,” leading to Fox frequently adjusting its schedule. Unfortunately, this instability in scheduling only worsened the ratings, eventually leading to another cancellation.

The resurgence of the show took off when Cartoon Network acquired the rights to episodes initially aired on Fox. Beginning in 2003, Adult Swim rebroadcast these episodes, rapidly establishing itself as the network’s top-rated program. Simultaneously, both seasons were released on DVD, coinciding with their debut on Adult Swim, and sales of these sets skyrocketed, ultimately securing the title of the best-selling television DVD of 2003. Given its newfound success following cancellation, Fox reconsidered and brought back the show for more episodes on their network, marking the start of a successful revival.

For over two decades, the long-running animated series “Family Guy” has graced our screens with 426 episodes across 23 seasons. It remains a consistent ratings winner for Fox, boasting an international fan base that significantly bolsters the show’s financial worth, both for the network and its creator, Seth MacFarlane. This enduring popularity and monetary success have not only sustained the show but also fueled several of MacFarlane’s favorite charities. Similar to “The Simpsons” serving as a profitable asset for Fox, “Family Guy” has surpassed its initial beginnings and solidified itself as an esteemed institution in television history.

Read More

2024-12-04 19:31