The show can be found on Disney+ in certain countries under the Star brand. Still, many viewers want to know is Family Guy on Disney Plus in general, The Quick Answer is that it is not available in the U.S. or many other regions due to its mature content but read further to know how and where you can watch “Family Guy” if it’s not on Disney+ in your area.
The Origins of Family Guy
“Family Guy,” the popular animated show created by Seth MacFarlane, first aired on Fox on January 31, 1999. Known for its humor and cultural references, the show initially ran for three seasons before being canceled. It was revived in 2005 and has since continued for 18 seasons, with Season 20 starting in 2021. The show has had an eventful history, marked by cancellations and revivals, and has become a staple of animated comedy television.
- Early Cancellation and Revival: The show initially ran for three seasons from 1999 to 2002 before being canceled. However, strong DVD sales and popularity in reruns on Adult Swim led Fox to revive the show in 2005.
- Seasons and Continuity: As of 2021, Family Guy has aired 18 seasons, with Season 20 being the most recent and ongoing.
- Main Characters: The show centers around the Griffin family, including Peter, his wife Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie, along with their talking dog Brian. Neighbors like Cleveland Brown and Glenn Quagmire also play significant roles.
- Signature Style: Known for its irreverent humor, cutaway gags, and pop culture references, Family Guy has carved out a unique niche in television comedy.
- Accolades: Over its run, the show has won five Emmy Awards among other accolades.
- Controversies: The show faced a brief cancellation again in 2020 due to a controversial episode, but this decision was reversed within a few days.
Where Can You Find “Family Guy” on Disney Plus?
“Family Guy” is featured on Disney+ in select markets under the Star content brand, which caters to more mature programming. While most episodes are available, some controversial episodes are excluded due to content guidelines. Additionally, certain visual and verbal elements have been censored to align with Disney+ standards and regional broadcast regulations.
Though the Disney+ version of “Family Guy” is edited, it still retains much of its original humor and style. Availability varies by country, reflecting cultural sensitivities and content standards. For many fans, this inclusion provides a new opportunity to enjoy the series, despite the content adjustments.
Which Countries Have “Family Guy” on Disney Plus?
“Family Guy” is not available on Disney+ in all regions, including the U.S. It is accessible only in countries that offer the Star content brand as part of their Disney+ subscription, such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In these regions, subscribers can watch “Family Guy” on Disney+. However, in many other countries, the show is not included in the Disney+ catalog due to its mature content.
Reasons Family Guy Isn’t on Disney Plus Everywhere
Family Guy is not available on Disney+ in most countries due to the mature and controversial nature of the show’s content. Here are the key reasons:
Family-Friendly Positioning
- Disney+ Brand Image: Disney+ is positioned as a family-friendly streaming service, targeting children, teens, and parents.
- Content Focus: The platform primarily features programming from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, which is generally appropriate for all ages.
- Mature Content Conflict: Family Guy, with its adult language, sexual references, dark humor, and offensive jokes, does not align with the family-friendly brand Disney+ aims to maintain.
Ownership and Strategic Choices
- Ownership: Disney owns Family Guy after acquiring 20th Century Fox.
- Platform Decision: Despite owning the show, Disney has opted not to add Family Guy to Disney+ in most markets to preserve its reputation as a kid-safe service.
- Brand Integrity: Including Family Guy, known for its edgy and boundary-pushing content, could damage the family-friendly image Disney+ upholds.
Rights Issues
- Existing Contracts: In some regions, other companies hold existing streaming or broadcast rights to Family Guy from before Disney’s acquisition of Fox.
- Contractual Obligations: Disney is required to honor these pre-existing contracts, which restricts the availability of Family Guy on Disney+ in certain areas.
Ways to Watch Family Guy if It’s Not on Disney Plus
If you are in a region where Family Guy is available on Disney Plus, you can find it in the Star section of the platform. For those in other countries, here are alternative ways to watch Family Guy:
- Use a VPN to access Disney Plus from a country where Family Guy is available. This method involves setting your VPN location to a region like the UK or Canada.
- Purchase episodes or seasons of Family Guy through digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, YouTube, or Google Play.
- Buy DVD box sets for a home media experience.
- In the US, Family Guy airs on cable networks like TBS and Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, and is available on streaming platforms like Hulu.
Final Verdict
Family Guy is not included as part of the standard Disney+ library in most countries, including the United States. The mature content of the show does not align with Disney’s family-friendly brand image. However, the series has been added to the Star section of Disney+ in select international markets like Canada, the UK, and Australia. Therefore, the availability of Family Guy on Disney+ depends on your geographic location and which version of the service you have access to.
While not universally accessible on the platform, loyal fans in some regions can now stream old and new episodes of the Seth MacFarlane comedy on Disney+. For viewers without access, alternative options exist to purchase or view the episodes through other digital retailers or cable networks.
