ITV has bought the rights to Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show, as well as the new series Bordertown. The cartoons - previously shown on BBC3 - will be shown on ITV2.

Family GuyFamily Guy regularly pulled in half a million viewers for BBC3

The move comes as the BBC continues to migrate a lot of its BBC3's content online, before the channel's closure.

"Seth Macfarlane's shows have firmly established him as the comedy voice of choice for an entire generation," ITV director of television Peter Fincham said.

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"Seth is sharp, hugely irreverent and brilliantly funny, which is reflected in his fantastic shows. We are delighted to be welcoming him and his comic creations to ITV."

"Family Guy is satire with nothing off limits - it's like spending half an hour with the funniest guy in the room and watching him freestyle," said ITV's director of digital channels and acquisitions, Angela Jain.

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"It is a joy to announce to all Seth MacFarlane fans that the new series premiere will be on ITV2 from this autumn. The acquisition of these brilliant and distinctive shows is totally in line with the strategy of strengthening ITV2 as a comprehensive entertainment channel destination for young viewers."

Family Guy was one of BBC3's most popular shows and regularly pulled in half a million viewers. However, the corporation was criticised for not giving the show's slot to UK comic talent. 

In 2013, Family Guy was ranked the ninth Greatest TV Cartoon of All Time, by TV Guide. It follows the life of the Griffins, a family in the fictional city of Quahog, Rhode Island.

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