It does get decent enough ratings relative to potential broadcast audience. But that's more likely due to people still watching than anyone new coming in, because that's how most television is these days. Between that, Disney+ numbers, and the merchandise sales from longtime fans, there’s probably not an actual economic justification for shuttering it.
I think Disney wants content. Simpsons is a draw, even if no one watches the new stuff. To keep seasons coming out, even if they are junk, facilitates the another active brand they can market. I think the mindset anymore is "better to have a dozen legacy brands in whatever condition than dozens of new ideas."
But it can still sell merch & get ratings on D+ from the classic era (I watch it a lot) without still producing new seasons. It's sad that stuff like Futurama got cancelled so many times when it was refreshing yet The Simpsons stagnated but kept going
This is true. But there is something about promoting an ongoing property that is different from a legacy one. A "hope" perhaps in the fanbase that greatness is coming in the next episode. I think it is the same emotion that often gets cancelled franchises brought back, to good or ill. My guess is Disney still see's a bump to viewing numbers when they can put "new Simpsons" episodes at the top of the D+ menu. Just sticking the back catalog up there may not get them the boost to views. Steady views, sure. But not a boost. There may also be some financial incentive to keep the show running on FOX. If they make new episodes, FOX is probably still paying something for them, which helps subsidize production...and it's another method of advertising the brand and perhaps funneling people to the streaming platform, or merch, or whatever. ------------ There must be something that tells the number crunchers it is worth it.
My sense is the Boomers are keeping this show alive. I am only basing that on the few people I know who still watch it, who also admit it died in spirit years ago, but they'll keep watching it out of some reverant Second Coming expectation.
I think New Kids on the Bleech (N'Sync episode) often gets cited as downwards spiral but I freaking love that episode though. Lt LT Smash. Superliminal "Hey you! Join the Navy!" Just a ton of gold throughout so I don't consider it a dive Much in Canada used to show The Simpsons classic for years and then it would hit like s20 or something. Then another channel and different broadcaster apparently got the classic era. And now that channel is gone. And Much only reruns starting at season 20, pretty much haven't watched any. Another reason to keep Disney Plus is for classic era (which I do have on DVD but don't feel like walking. Unless I want to watch the Michael Jackson episode on DVD)
Not an episode, but the film is quoted often. But that was also the point where the show got a bit of a second wind after a really bad stretch in the mid-00's. Boomers were the ones protesting it when it came on the air. While it may have won some of those over over the years, I doubt they were converted to the hardcore sustaining it decades later.
Yeah I suspect it’s the portion of Gen X and Millennials who are still broadcast TV watchers. Couple that with a broader streaming audience, some of which might dip into the newer material just to see how it is (remember a year or two ago when suddenly the narrative was that the show is “good again”? I bet that caused some spikes), and Disney clearly continue to like what they see.
Yep, the short lived "it's good again" online talk from a couple of years again actually inspired my original question. I haven't heard anybody talk about the show since then.
FIRST PLACE! Winner winner chicken dinner!Thanks for the tips; some of those episodes were in the questions.
Lots of name the character from pics or clues, some about catch phrases, which season featured certain characters or plots, arranging characters by first appearance, which special guest stars voiced which characters, etc
Even people who grew up with it like my generation don't watch it anymore apart from re-visiting the odd 90s episode, or at least I haven't met anyone who does.
I know a couple people who still watch and have watched from the beginning. Even they admit it is not what it once was...but they enjoy it enough to keep up with it. But I think what they really enjoy now is the rest of animation block programmed around it on air (where they still usually watch). One is just as big (if not more) of a Family Guy fan.
But the hardcore most likely did come from the generation that was young when it first hit, or the 90's-era reruns. I'm sure it's picked up some fans afterwards (kinda impossible not to and still endure), but it definitely wasn't from the older generations predating them. Yeah, being part of that programming block really does lift all boats*. FC, too, doubling up with Adult Swim. Not too dissimilar to how some xmas movies became classics through constant reruns ala A Christmas Story or Elf. *Well,
