After 25 seasons, "The Simpsons" finally "officially" makes it to China for Season 26.

Sure Chinese viewers have gotten more than their fill of the longest-running comedy show in U.S. TV history. However, they had to look for the programming online or via unofficial video outlets. While some episodes were subtitled in Mandarin, many were English-only.

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That's all changing with the new season of the 21st Century Fox show that premieres on Sunday, Sept. 28 in the U.S.

Now, Chinese viewers will get their Bart, Homer, Marge et. al. Simpsons with Mandarin subtitles via Sohu Video, China's leading official online video streaming service. Financial details of the new Simpsons China online streaming deal weren't disclosed. More than 180 nations around the globe broadcast "The Simpsons."

Charles Zhang, Sohu chairman and CEO, said introducing a household brand like "The Simpsons" to Chinese viewers in an official capacity would further enrich viewer choices when it comes to outstanding American content.

The arrangement once again showed Sohu's commitment to bringing the best viewer experiences to Chinese audiences, Zhang said. It also represented Sohu's continue efforts to "enhance our competitive edges" in the video industry, he added.

Fox and Sohu said it was a multiyear deal. As the longest running U.S. comedy show, Sohu has a lot of choices for backend showings. The show's catalogue features more than 550 episodes. 

It's been 16 years since The Simpsons said they were going to China on the "Goo Goo Gai Pan" episode. That episode featured Lucy Liu as a guest voice actor. The Simpson family even went to Beijing to help Selma adopt a baby.

Analysts believe the new China deal may revive the sagging ratings for the show. Viewership peaked at more than 33 million in 1990. Last year, the show attracted around 3.5 million viewers. The show might have died in 2011, but the animated sitcom voice actors agreed to a dramatic salary cut to keep the show alive.

TagsSimpsons, Fox TV, Homer Simpson, Bart Simpson, Sohu, China TV, TV, television, cartoons, online video, YouTube