Family Guy and American Dad brought a new level of humor to an animation arena that was, more or less, dominated by The Simpsons. While it seemed like these shows may not hold a candle to so many classic shows, the irreverent humor of both managed to carve out a place in the lineup and garner a loyal fanbase. That said, that didn't mean that either show didn't struggle on its way to success, as even Family Guy dealt with the threat of cancelation.
Unlike Family Guy, American Dad was a successful series that existed just under the radar of its predecessor by offering equally dark humor but with a totally different premise. Though it was a sitcom about a family, its premise included a father, Stan Smith, that worked with the CIA, a daughter that disagreed with his methods, a talking fish and an alien seeking refuge in their home. Coupled with the wild cards of the mother and son, American Dad was a fun twist on a classic formula. But this twist, on at least one occasion, wasn't enough to save the show from a shift in networks from FOX to TBS, which allowed its popularity to skyrocket.
Why American Dad Was Canceled by FOX
American Dad was, in no way, a lesser show to its contemporaries. In fact, in 2013, the series was awarded "top television series" by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, among nominations for multiple Primetime Emmy and Annie Awards. This could partly be due to the humor that, unlike Family Guy, focused less on cutaways and more on situational humor. A great example of this could be seen in the many shenanigans Roger would find himself in.
The causes for American Dad's eventual shift to TBS were more inferred than confirmed, but even still, a lack of official confirmation could be seen as enough. For example, one source announced an upcoming lineup of FOX shows that were airing their last episodes, which included American Dad. There's also the unspoken rule that if any series were to move networks, it was equal to a death sentence. However, in the case of American Dad, time proved the opposite. Nevertheless, while unconfirmed, some fans have theorized that low ratings against bigger shows may have been the cause, as well as a focus on different content.
How American Dad Found a New Network Home
While it seemed like it was the end for American Dad, the show's time on FOX was just the first step in a grander adventure that was facilitated by none other than TBS. At the time, TBS was a channel that had started to put out shows focused on humor of all types. The acquisition of American Dad was one of the biggest gets for the channel, and obtaining it also meant that it could provide even more episodes.
The reason TBS got ahold of it appeared to be a simple transaction in which both channels benefitted from the shift. As a result, American Dad has continued to air new episodes, though it's always possible that the end of the series could still be in its future. Though nothing is certain, even its showrunners are aware each season is a gift, and should the series end, they're prepared. But even still, it's hard not to acknowledge and appreciate the opportunity for growth TBS provided American Dad, offering many more seasons of jokes and hijinx.