The Simpsons lost a substantial amount of viewers from its premiere episode which aired on November 2, 2002

November 2, 2002 Season Premiere Epsiode
16.67 million viewers, #10

November 9, 2002
12.51 million viewers (-4.16 million from first week) (-25%) #28

That doesn't sound good. It's kind of understandable though. TS has had such a long run that it's kind of expected some of the episodes to be not so good.

It just seems that way since they got a HUGE opening. I read that they usually get between 8-10 million a show the last few years, so I think they are doing fine.

Fox probably kisses the ground everyday that the simpsons are still around. It is one of their key shows.

for example, they are paying big bucks to keep that 70's show around and they only get 3 or 4 million, can't remember exact figures.

Actually, those are pretty good ratings considering that there are now 6 networks (FOX, WB, NBC, CBS, ABC, UPN) competing against each other.

I gotta say, the show has been getting better every episode, last season was terrible. This season's episodes have been great so far.

I agree that the episodes in this season so far have been slightly better than other recent seasons.
Maybe it could get really good again!

wouldn't it be awful of the ratings kept going down and then they'd have to cancel the show? imagine that...after being on for 14 years and not ending it properly :(