21 Years On, American Dad Is Returning to Fox Without Fear of Cancellation This Time

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Twenty-one years after it first aired on Fox, American Dad! is coming back, and this time it feels secure. The show has changed a lot over the last ten years, but it remains incredibly popular on streaming services. It’s almost like American Dad! has had two separate runs on television—a rare achievement for an animated series, and one that might not be possible today.

Premiering on Fox on February 6, 2005, American Dad! was created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman. After a successful run with Fox, the show was initially cancelled but found a new home on TBS for over a decade. American Dad! has now been rescued from cancellation twice and is returning to its original network, Fox, for four more seasons, solidifying its place as a significant animated series.

American Dad Returns to Fox 21 Years After Original Premiere

When American Dad! first started on Fox, it was quite different from the show we know today. Similar to early episodes of Family Guy, the initial seasons of American Dad! were more realistic and focused on relatable situations. The series began by introducing viewers to Stan Smith, a very conservative CIA agent, and his family – a liberal daughter and a somewhat awkward son – whom he often struggled to connect with. A lot of the humor in those early seasons came from watching how far Stan would go to uphold his conservative beliefs and how he’d use his position with the U.S. government to get what he wanted.

While both shows faced cancellation risks, American Dad! had a more successful initial run on Fox compared to Family Guy. Family Guy was cancelled after just three seasons, but American Dad! lasted for ten before Fox dropped it. Interestingly, TBS immediately picked up American Dad! to air its remaining episodes, and the show continued for another ten or eleven seasons – actually exceeding the length of its original run. This means when American Dad! returns to Fox, it’s coming back as a revitalized and stronger program than ever before.

American Dad! has found greater success on TBS than it originally had on Fox. It was among the last original series produced by TBS before the network changed direction, and would likely have remained a key part of their programming. The show consistently performs well on Hulu, with a high number of repeat viewers, and Fox recognized this popularity when they ordered more episodes, ensuring the series would continue.

American Dad Returns for 4 More Seasons With Fox

New episodes of American Dad! will start airing on Fox on Sunday, February 22nd at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. You’ll be able to stream them on Hulu the next day. This return marks a special occasion – the show’s 400th episode! – and it’s a significant moment for the series and its long-running relationship with Fox. Good news for fans: Fox has reaffirmed its commitment to American Dad! and other adult animated shows, so cancellation isn’t a concern anytime soon.

Fox has ordered four more seasons of American Dad!, ensuring the show will continue for years to come. This is part of a large renewal for several of Fox’s popular series, including Family Guy, The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Universal Basic Guys, and Krapopolis. As the show moves back to Fox, there’s some discussion about how it will maintain the distinctive style it developed while airing on TBS.

Despite moving to Fox, the team behind American Dad! – including the writers and voice actors – remains the same. However, it’s still unclear how Fox’s content rules will affect the show’s famously over-the-top humor, which had more freedom when it aired on TBS. The creators are also hoping to make an American Dad! movie in the future, but right now, their priority is producing the new season. Hopefully, the show will have a long run on Fox after its premiere later this month.

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2026-02-10 02:10