For three hours every Sunday night, Fox airs nothing but animated series. But the network's "Animation Domination" programming block is more than just good branding; it's the truth.
While critically acclaimed adult animation can be found on most major streamers, no other broadcast network has aired a single primetime animated series rivaling the longevity of this century’s Fox lineup.
It’s even more impressive that Fox has so many legacy titles, like The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad! and Bob’s Burgers, all of which were renewed for four more seasons last spring. Plus, each series has a landmark to celebrate: In September, Bob’s Burgers aired its 300th episode; and in February, American Dad! returns to Fox for its 20th season after 10 years on TBS, Family Guy drops its 450th episode and the granddaddy of them all, The Simpsons, hits 800!
What does Michael Thorn, president of Fox Television Network, credit for the network’s success?
“Patience.”
Over decades, the programming block’s triumph has given Fox the freedom to let new shows develop. Long-running legacy animation anchors the lineup and helps introduce existing fans to new series.
“These iconic brands for Fox allow us to play in new sandboxes and hopefully see if we can create long-running, home-run series,” Thorn says. “The idea that there could ever be another Simpsons is ridiculous, as it’s one of a kind. But could we have another franchise for 10 years? If it connects — and that’s a big if — there’s something about the format, mixed with the right creators and producing teams, that allows the series to run for years and years and hundreds and hundreds of episodes in a way that other mediums and genres don’t enjoy.”
This flywheel effect is what led Thorn to commit to the four legacy shows, in what the network calls its “meganimation deal.” A four-season commitment allows Fox introduce its audience to new series, new creators and, potentially, new legacy franchises. Shows like Universal Basic Guys, now in its second season, and Grimsburg and Krapopolis, each in their third seasons, roll out to viewers who are already devoted to programs they’ve come to love over years and even decades.
Krapopolis
One noteworthy trait of animation is its enduring appeal. “Animation is evergreen,” Thorn says, “so each new generation goes and devours The Simpsons or Bob’s on Hulu and falls in love with it. There’s always a whole new group of teen boys every few years who discover Family Guy and think it’s the funniest thing ever.”
These legacy shows’ success also informs the development of newer ones. Thorn and his team look for shows with unique comedic perspectives, while encouraging each creator to find his or her specific voice. “Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers are both family shows,” Thorn says, “but they are completely different in their tone and their style of comedy. [Krapopolis creator] Dan Harmon obviously has a signature voice. Universal Basic Guys creators the Malamut brothers are hilarious — crazy in the best way.”
The goal is to keep that flywheel going so newer shows can achieve the kind of longevity that has made the Animation Domination block so successful.
“Hopefully, one day, somebody who works at Fox will say in an interview like this that Universal Basic Guys has stood the test of time because it has a sensibility all its own,” Thorn says, “and we’ll talk about one of our next shows in the same breath as, say, American Dad!, where you have this long-running show that feels like it occupies its own come-dic space, whether it’s animation or live action.”
For Thorn, the Sunday-night block is much more than just a few hours of tele-vision each week. “We have this responsibility to support these incredible voices and allow these shows to thrive and be the best they can be,” he says, “while also constantly reminding our audience and a new generation that they exist. To keep it going over the next four years, while we’re trying to add a new show or two to that lineup. It’s really to protect them, support them and, if we can dare to dream big, add another legacy show to that lineup.”
He plans to do all that while solidify-ing the network’s hold on animation and carrying the flag for one of television’s oldest formats.
“Let’s not lose sight of that,” Thorn says with a laugh. “I mean, that’s why we’re here.”
This article originally appeared in emmy Magazine, issue #1, 2026, under the title "Primetime Toons."
