The Simpsons fans who tuned in for a new episode on Sunday, October 11, 2026, found something else on their screens. Fox did not air Season 38, Episode 3 that night. The network had other programming scheduled in the show’s usual 8 PM ET/PT time slot. According to reports, Fox provided live coverage of a Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers — Game 1 of a best-of-seven series — which pushed the animated sitcom to a later date.
The good news for fans is that the wait is short. Episode 3, titled “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” is now set to arrive on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 8 PM ET/PT on Fox.
When Exactly Will the New Episode Air
The October 18 broadcast keeps the show in its regular Sunday night slot on Fox. For viewers in the United States, the episode will also be available to stream on Hulu the following day, as has been the pattern for Season 38 so far. Fans in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can access Season 38 through Hulu on Disney+, while other regions follow their local Disney+ arrangements.
Fox One also carries the episode for U.S. viewers, with a free three-day trial available for first-time users. The episode runs for about 21 minutes and carries a TV-14 rating, which means it contains material not suitable for children under 14.
What Episode 3 Is About
“Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening” is the 812th episode of The Simpsons overall. It marks an earlier-than-usual turn toward Halloween for the season. The official synopsis teases a dark and dangerous night in Springfield: a killer arrives in town and unleashes terror, turning the Halloween festivities into a nightmare for residents. The tagline warns that no Simpson is safe from “THE REVENGENING!”
The episode was written by Broti Gupta and directed by Rob Oliver, with production code SI-3713.
Why Episode 3 Was Not on October 11
The delay was not a production issue or a last-minute change. Fox had committed its October 11 evening slot to Major League Baseball playoff coverage. The Dodgers vs. Brewers game was Game 1 of a National League Championship Series matchup, and the network prioritized live sports over its regular Sunday animation block.
This kind of preemption is common during baseball postseason runs. Fox holds broadcast rights for MLB playoff games, and live sports often take precedence over scheduled entertainment programming. The network confirmed the new Simpsons air date through its official episode press release information, pointing to October 18 as the return date.
A Two-Week Break in the Season
Season 38 premiered on September 27, 2026, with an episode titled “The Children’s Book Job.” That premiere featured Emma Thompson as a guest voice, playing a British children’s author named Constance who turns out to be far more chaotic than anyone expected. The episode followed Marge as she took on the role of PTA president and fought to save Springfield Elementary from closure through a book fair.
Episode 2, titled “Diary of a Chimpy Kid,” aired on October 4, 2026. That story centered on Bart and Lisa adopting a baby chimp and clashing over parenting methods. Homer developed a fear of baby chimps after watching a documentary, and the chimp was eventually taken by a shady animal welfare organization. The episode ended with the family giving the baby chimp to a wildlife rescue group.
With Episode 2 airing on October 4 and Episode 3 arriving on October 18, the season takes a two-week gap between new episodes. This is the same pattern that followed the September 27 premiere to the October 4 second episode — a one-week gap — so the schedule has been slightly irregular from the start.
Halloween Comes Early to Springfield
The timing of Episode 3 places it just under two weeks before Halloween. Episode 4 is another Halloween-themed chapter, titled “Treehouse of Horror XXXVII,” scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026. That episode will see Marge gain a new perspective on marriage, Bart and Santa’s Little Helper head out on a chilling adventure, and Homer learn to drive.
Back-to-back Halloween episodes are unusual for The Simpsons, which typically reserves its Treehouse of Horror installments for a single slot near the end of October. The decision to split the Halloween content across two weeks gives the season a different rhythm than previous years.
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Where to Watch in Different Regions
For U.S. viewers, the episode airs on Fox at 8 PM ET/PT on October 18. Streaming follows on Hulu the next day. Fox One also offers live access with a free trial option for new users.
In Canada, Citytv carries the broadcast, and Hulu on Disney+ provides streaming access for Season 38. Australian and New Zealand audiences can also use Hulu on Disney+ for Season 38 episodes.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Showcase holds the broadcast rights, though streaming availability for Season 38 in the UK has been limited. Disney+ in the UK currently offers Seasons 1 through 37 for streaming, with Season 38 access varying by region. Viewers in the UK may need to check their local Disney+ catalog for updates.
For Indian viewers, Disney+ Hotstar carries The Simpsons library in the region. Season 38 availability on the platform typically follows the U.S. broadcast with a delay, depending on regional licensing arrangements.
Fan Talk Around the Season
Discussion among Simpsons viewers on platforms like ResetEra and Reddit has touched on the show’s ongoing run. Some fans note that recent seasons have been “pretty solid,” while others continue to debate the show’s peak era, often pointing to Seasons 3 through 9 or 10 through 15. The series has already been renewed through Season 40, confirming that Springfield will stay on the air for at least a few more years.
Season 38 consists of 15 broadcast episodes on Fox, along with 2 special episodes planned for Disney+. That brings the total season content to 17 episodes across both platforms.
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