The Simpsons have aired for less than nine seasons.
The Simpsons . After a three-season run , the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became an early hit for Fox , becoming the network 's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season ( 1989 -- 90 ) . Its 28th season began on September 25 , 2016 . On November 4 , 2016 , the series was renewed for a twenty-ninth and thirtieth season of 22 episodes each , extending the show to 2019 . The Simpsons received widespread critical acclaim throughout its first nine seasons , which are generally considered its `` Golden Age '' .