The Simpsons has been renewed for its 26th season, keeping the show on until at least 2015, the New York Times reported yesterday. The Simpsons debuted on the then-fledgling Fox network in 1989, and is the longest running scripted primetime show in US television history. Executive producer Al Jean recently let slip that a regular character will be killed off from the show, and The Times says this will occur in the 2014-2015 season.
There had been speculation that 20th Century Foxâs decision to sell cable rights to the show could signify the end of the series, and that it may bow out after 25 years. But given that each episode could reportedly pull in up to $1.5 million in syndication rights, itâs not entirely surprising that Fox would want to add to its pile of Simpsons episodes, currently clocking in at 532. According to The Times, âJean has previously said that 30 seasons âis a goal to shoot for.ââ