It was reported that lowered licensing fees for the series could be a sign that Fox would possibly be backing out in the future, no longer willing to lose the many millions in licensing fees.
(That money is made back through the plethora of Simpsons-related merchandise, which has long been more lucrative than the TV airings themselves.)
There was a time not long ago when it seemed like Disney might be actively interested in bringing The Simpsons to an end sooner rather than later.