While the scheduling ofThe Simpsonshas remained pretty stable for the past four decades, the show’s next release proves that this is starting to change, and not necessarily for the better.The Simpsonshas been on the air for a very long time. Not only isThe Simpsonsnow the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show ever, but the series has released over 780 episodes as of February 2025. Even withoutThe Simpsonsseason 37’s renewal, these are record-breaking figures that prove the series has unprecedented longevity.
This could lead viewers to reasonably assume thatThe Simpsonswill never end, or at least that the show won’t end anytime soon. However, although the ratings forThe Simpsonsseason 36’s Treehouse of Horror episodesare uniquely strong, the show’s average weekly viewership has been steadily declining for years. Milhouse’s voice actor Pamela Hayden retired from the role in November 2024 so, after over 35 years on the air, it is fair for viewers to wonder about the show’s future. In this regard, a major change to season 36’s release schedule is significant.
The Simpsons Season 36’s The Past and the Furious Is A Disney+ Exclusive
Season 36’s Earlier Christmas Special Was Also Released On The Streaming Service
The show will release a new episode this week, but this will not bringThe Simpsonsseason 36’s long mid-season hiatusto an end quite yet.“The Past and the Furious” is a Disney+ exclusive even though the episode is officially part of season 36, meaning official releases ofThe Simpsonsare now split between the Disney streaming service and its traditional Fox schedule. Until season 36, every episode ofThe Simpsonsaired on Fox. Although most of the show’s episodes were also available to stream on Disney+, their original airdates were all on the show’s home network.
The Simpsons season 36 marks the first time that full episodes were aired for the first time anywhere other than Fox.
How Disney+ Releases Complicate The Simpsons Seasons
4 of Season 36’s Episodes Will Not Air On Fox
Disney+’s feature-length Christmas special “O C’mon All Ye Faithful” was the best festive episodeThe Simpsonshas produced in over a decade, but the outing didn’t air on Fox for longtime viewers of the series. Similarly, “The Past and the Furious” promises to be a fun time-traveling adventure that sends Lisa back to 1923 Springfield to work with a young Monty Burns in an attempt to save Springfield’s Mini Moose population. Many fans risk missing out on this special if they aren’t also Disney+ users.
WhileThe Simpsonsisn’t necessarily switching to Disney+ as the majority of the show’s new episodes still air on Fox first, this change is still concerning. The show’s ratings aren’t increasing, so it would not be shocking ifThe Simpsonstransitioned to the streaming service in years to come due to waning viewership.
