‘Animal Control’ Renewed, But Is It Really A ‘Hit’?

BusinessHollywood & Entertainment‘Animal Control’ Renewed, But Is It Really A ‘Hit’?ByMarc Berman,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Marc Berman is a New York-based reporter who covers media.Follow AuthorFeb 26, 2026, 08:29pm ESTFeb 26, 2026, 08:31pm ESTJoel McHale at the premiere of FOX's "Animal Control" held at The Blakely Theater on February 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)Variety via Getty ImagesFox Entertainment has renewed its workplace comedy Animal Control for a fifth season, with Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, positioning the series as a continued success story for the network.While Fox is touting Animal Control as a hit — citing creative momentum and new highs in its fourth season — the traditional linear ratings paint a more modest picture. In Live+Same Day Nielsen measurement, the comedy remains a low-tier broadcast performer, reflective of the cluttered marketplace. “With the writing, ensemble, and audience response all landing at new levels, renewing Animal Control was an easy decision,” Thorn said in announcing the pickup, pointing to fourth-season premiere gains across key demos in delayed viewing.Fox has also emphasized multiplatform growth, including streaming traction on Netflix, where the first three seasons reportedly generated more than 1 billion minutes viewed in their first eight weeks, ranking behind acquired comedies Young Sheldon and Seinfeld in minutes watched.Still, as is often the case in the streaming era, independent verification of platform performance remains limited. Beyond selective data releases from networks and streamers — or periodic third-party measurement from Nielsen — the industry lacks comprehensive transparency into how any given series truly performs across subscription services.MORE FOR YOUAnother factor likely fueling the renewal is long-term library value. Through four seasons, Animal Control has produced 41 episodes — below the traditional threshold typically associated with off-network syndication viability. A fifth season moves the series closer to a more viable episode count for off-network sales and expanded streaming licensing, enhancing its overall asset value for Fox Entertainment Studios and distributor Fox Entertainment Global.In today’s ownership-driven model, where studios increasingly prioritize library scale and international packaging over traditional ratings, additional episode volume can be as strategic as audience growth. Airing on Fox and streaming on Hulu and Disney+, the series benefits from cross-platform exposure — even as its core linear ratings remain consistent with today’s constrained broadcast environment rather than indicative of a breakout hit.Starring Joel McHale as a cynical former cop turned animal control officer, Animal Control airs on Fox in the Thursday 9 p.m. ET half-hour following Next Level Chef and into comedy Going Dutch.Editorial StandardsReprints & PermissionsLOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED Video