The fox fall sunday schedule for the 2026 television season has been officially confirmed, bringing a refreshed lineup that blends longtime animated favorites with live-action comedy while continuing FOX’s NFL tradition. The network has announced its Sunday primetime programming, including premiere dates, returning series, and several notable scheduling changes that mark one of the biggest Sunday shakeups in years.
For viewers across the United States, Sunday nights remain one of FOX’s most important programming blocks. Football coverage continues to lead into entertainment programming, while established series return alongside strategic lineup adjustments designed to keep audiences engaged throughout the fall season.
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FOX’s Sunday Night Strategy for Fall 2026
FOX has maintained its tradition of pairing NFL coverage with scripted entertainment, but the 2026 schedule introduces meaningful changes. Rather than relying entirely on animated programming, the network is mixing animation with live-action comedy during primetime.
The schedule follows the conclusion of NFL afternoon coverage, allowing football audiences to transition directly into entertainment programming.
This strategy has been a cornerstone of FOX’s Sunday success for decades. Football provides one of television’s largest lead-in audiences, making Sunday evening one of the network’s strongest nights throughout the fall.
Official FOX Fall Sunday Schedule (ET/PT)
Beginning Sunday, September 27, 2026, the lineup is scheduled as follows:
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 7:00–7:30 PM | NFL on FOX |
| 7:30–8:00 PM | The OT / FOX Animation Encores |
| 8:00–8:30 PM | The Simpsons |
| 8:30–9:00 PM | Animal Control |
| 9:00–9:30 PM | Universal Basic Guys |
| 9:30–10:00 PM | Grimsburg |
The schedule represents the official Sunday primetime lineup announced by FOX for the fall television season.
The Simpsons Continues Its Historic Run
One constant in the Sunday lineup remains The Simpsons, which returns for its remarkable 38th season.
For decades, the iconic animated comedy has anchored FOX’s Sunday schedule. Despite numerous changes to surrounding programs over the years, the long-running series continues to occupy the 8:00 PM timeslot.
Its enduring popularity makes it one of the longest-running scripted television series in American history. The show continues to attract longtime fans while remaining an important part of FOX’s identity.
The Season 38 premiere is scheduled for September 27.
Animal Control Moves Into Sunday Primetime
Perhaps the biggest programming change involves Animal Control.
The Joel McHale-led workplace comedy moves into the coveted Sunday evening lineup immediately after The Simpsons. The series enters its fifth season with the new placement.
This move gives FOX a live-action comedy in the middle of its Sunday block, something viewers have not regularly seen during recent fall seasons.
Network executives appear confident that the comedy can benefit from the audience generated by both NFL coverage and The Simpsons.
Universal Basic Guys Keeps the 9 PM Slot
Animated comedy Universal Basic Guys returns for Season 3.
The series occupies the important 9:00 PM position, where FOX hopes to continue building its newer animation brand.
Since its debut, the show has become part of the network’s expanding adult animation portfolio. Returning to Sunday night demonstrates FOX’s continued investment in the series.
Grimsburg Returns to Close the Night
At 9:30 PM, Grimsburg returns for its third season.
The animated comedy closes out FOX’s Sunday lineup with another season of detective Marvin Flute’s unusual investigations.
Although its premiere was delayed from earlier expectations, the series is officially positioned as the final program of FOX’s fall Sunday schedule.
NFL Coverage Still Leads Sunday Programming
Football continues to play a major role in FOX’s Sunday identity.
The network’s NFL broadcasts remain among the highest-rated programs on American television. During the regular season, regional NFL games conclude with NFL on FOX, followed by The OT in applicable markets.
Depending on game timing and local market coverage, viewers may see slight adjustments before primetime entertainment begins.
This relationship between sports and entertainment has helped FOX build strong Sunday audiences for many years.
What Is The OT?
Many viewers notice The OT listed between football and primetime programming.
The program serves as a postgame show that bridges live NFL coverage into the evening schedule.
Its runtime can vary depending on football game endings, overtime situations, and regional broadcasting requirements.
In some markets, FOX may instead air animation encore programming during this period.
Major Changes Compared With Previous Seasons
The 2026 Sunday lineup differs from recent years in several ways.
Key changes include:
- Animal Control moves into Sunday nights.
- Bob’s Burgers does not appear in the fall lineup.
- Family Guy is also absent from the initial fall schedule.
- American Dad! remains scheduled for midseason.
- Krapopolis is also reserved for a later launch.
- Universal Basic Guys keeps its strong Sunday position.
- Grimsburg remains part of the lineup.
These decisions represent one of the network’s biggest Sunday scheduling adjustments in recent seasons.
Why Bob’s Burgers Is Missing
One of the biggest surprises involves Bob’s Burgers.
Rather than premiering during the fall, the Emmy-winning animated series has been held until midseason.
This does not indicate cancellation.
Instead, FOX plans to bring the series back later in the television year as part of its expanded programming strategy.
Holding established series for midseason allows the network to spread original programming across more months instead of concentrating premieres in September.
Family Guy Also Moves to Midseason
Like Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy will not premiere during the initial fall schedule.
FOX confirmed that the long-running animated comedy will instead return during the midseason portion of the television calendar.
Fans accustomed to seeing Peter Griffin every Sunday night will need to wait until later in the broadcast season.
The move is part of the network’s broader scheduling strategy rather than a production issue.
American Dad! and Krapopolis Also Wait
FOX is similarly delaying:
- American Dad!
- Krapopolis
Both series remain part of the network’s plans but will debut after the fall launch window.
This approach gives FOX flexibility throughout the television season while avoiding overcrowded premiere weeks.
When Does the Sunday Lineup Begin?
The official Sunday entertainment lineup premieres:
Sunday, September 27, 2026
That date marks the start of the network’s scripted Sunday programming following early-season NFL broadcasts.
Several weekday FOX series begin earlier that same week, but Sunday premieres conclude the launch of the network’s fall entertainment schedule.
How Football Can Affect Air Times
Although the official schedule lists specific start times, NFL games occasionally influence evening programming.
Factors that may affect local viewing include:
- Overtime games
- Weather delays
- Extended postgame coverage
- Regional sports broadcasts
FOX has long managed these scheduling situations by adjusting local feeds while preserving the overall primetime lineup whenever possible.
Viewers using DVRs often choose extended recording windows during football season.
Sunday Programming Remains a FOX Strength
Sunday has traditionally been one of FOX’s strongest broadcast nights.
The combination of NFL coverage and scripted entertainment creates a consistent audience that few broadcast networks can match during the fall.
This year’s lineup attempts to balance:
- Established franchises
- Returning comedies
- Animated programming
- Live-action sitcoms
- Sports lead-ins
The strategy also allows FOX to stagger additional premieres later in the television season.
Why FOX Is Holding So Many Shows
Rather than launching every returning series at once, FOX has chosen a phased approach.
Benefits of this strategy include:
- Fresh content throughout the broadcast year.
- Better scheduling flexibility.
- Reduced competition among the network’s own programs.
- Opportunities to respond to audience trends.
The approach has become increasingly common as networks compete not only with traditional broadcasters but also with streaming services.
How Viewers Can Watch
Most viewers can watch FOX programming through:
- Local FOX broadcast stations
- Cable television providers
- Satellite television services
- Live TV streaming platforms carrying local FOX affiliates
Availability may vary by market, particularly during regional NFL coverage.
What Makes This Schedule Different
The 2026 Sunday lineup reflects careful balancing by the network.
Instead of relying entirely on animated comedies, FOX introduces a live-action sitcom while preserving familiar franchises.
It also creates room later in the year for additional animated premieres, helping extend original programming across more months.
For longtime viewers, the biggest adjustment will likely be the absence of Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy during the opening weeks of the fall season.
Even so, The Simpsons remains the centerpiece of Sunday entertainment, continuing a tradition that has defined FOX programming for decades.
As the fall television season begins, football fans and comedy viewers alike will once again find Sunday evenings anchored by NFL coverage before transitioning into one of broadcast television’s most recognizable primetime lineups.
What do you think about FOX’s Sunday lineup for Fall 2026? Share your thoughts on the schedule and stay tuned for more television updates throughout the season.
