List_of_longest-running_United_States_television_series

List of longest-running American television series

List of longest-running American television series

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This is a list of the longest-running United States television series, ordered by number of years the show has been aired. This list includes only first-run series originating in North America and available throughout the United States via national broadcast networks, U.S. cable networks, or syndication. Series continuations (with name changes and/or changes in network) are noted. Series broadcast within the U.S. but produced in other countries, such as Coronation Street (62 years) and Doctor Who (60 years) are not included (see: List of longest-running British television programmes).

Series shaded in light blue with bold are currently in production.

At least 60 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

50–59 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

40–49 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

35–39 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

30–34 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

25–29 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

20–24 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

15–19 years

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10–14 years

More information Length, Number of seasons ...

See also

Notes

  1. Only its time on television is counted here; it began on radio (as American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press) in 1945
  2. CBS Television News 1948–1951, Douglas Edwards with the News 1951–1962, Walter Cronkite with the News 1962–1963
  3. Only its time on television is counted here; it began on radio July 15, 1929.
  4. Originally Hallmark Playhouse radio series, was Hallmark Television Playhouse (1951–1954)
  5. ABC Evening News 1953–1965 and 1967–1978; Peter Jennings and the News 1965–1967; World News Tonight 1978–2006; World News with Charles Gibson 2006–2009; ABC World News with Diane Sawyer 2009–2014
  6. There have been six major hosts of the Tonight Show during seven tenure periods.
  7. There were various other hosts for some short periods during the pre-Carson years. Please see the hosting history for further details.
  8. The total number of episodes is 13,248.
  9. Originally GrandStand, then changed name to reflect year; was also NFL Live 1987–1997
  10. Name often altered to reflect primary sponsor. Name on current broadcasts: Denny's PBA Tour
  11. 1998–2000 broadcast seasons were shared by CBS and ESPN
  12. The show was off the air for two years.
  13. Originally The Guiding Light. Only its time on television is counted here; it began on radio January 25, 1937.
  14. Aired locally on WYAH-TV Portsmouth, Virginia, 1966–1977; evolved from locally broadcast telethons 1962–1966
  15. Originally Washington Week in Review
  16. This listing counts different incarnations of the Scooby-Doo franchise on television. However, no new "Scooby-Doo" episodes were produced for 22 years of its on-air run.
  17. Season 44 (2013–2014) was the first time episodes were numbered in a seasonal order rather than the numerical and chronological fashion used since the show premiered. For example, episode 4401 means "the first episode of the 44th season", not "the 4401st episode" (it is in fact the 4328th episode).
  18. This only applies to the time that a children's program has broadcast nationwide. Technically, a few other children's programs may have run longer in years/seasons than Sesame Street without being broadcast nationwide.
  19. Was renamed to Masterpiece in 2008.
  20. Syndicated revival prompted by success of syndicated repeats of CBS episodes in 1976
  21. Known as Jim Crockett's Victory Garden from 1975 to 1979
  22. Jerry Lewis died in 2017.
  23. Originally NBC's Saturday Night
  24. Previously The Robert MacNeil Report (1975), The MacNeil/Lehrer Report (1975–1983), The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour 1975–1995, & The News Hour with Jim Lehrer 1995–2009.
  25. Weekly broadcasts ended January 1, 1997; irregular airings afterward; officially ended with the absorption of ABC Sports into ESPN
  26. Broadcast only in North Carolina, 1979–1981
  27. Evolved from The Iran Crisis – America Held Hostage (1979–80).
  28. Weekend editions are simulcast on the BBC Parliament channel with the name America This Week
  29. Was available to stations in both franchised and syndicated versions as Romper Room from 1953 to 1981; was retitled Romper Room & Friends in 1981 and became a syndicated-only series as the local versions ended production
  30. Broadcast locally only on WPBT, 1979–1981
  31. 38 (12 original, 26 revival)
  32. Show went on hiatus from 1993 to 1997.
  33. Show was on hiatus from 1993 to 1997.
  34. Originally titled Noticiero SIN when Univision was known as SIN (Spanish International Network).
  35. Also syndicated, 1982–present
  36. Succeeded Issues and Answers; full title throughout its run is This Week With (host's name), beginning with David Brinkley, 1981–1996. Cokie Roberts and Sam Donaldson co-anchored from 1996–2002. George Stephanopoulos was host from 2002 to 2010. Christiane Amanpour took over as host in 2010.
  37. Late Night, as an entity, is in its 38th season. Over that period it has had four hosts, listed in the notes column.
  38. Show renamed National Geographic Ultimate Explorer 2003–2005
  39. Became Wall Street Week with Fortune after original host was fired in 2002
  40. Louis Rukeyser died in 2006.
  41. Current host is Maria Bartiromo.
  42. Reran CBS originals, 1984–1987
  43. Also called 48 Hours Investigates
  44. Other names: Live with Regis and Kathie Lee (1988–2000), Live with Regis (2000–2001), Live with Regis and Kelly (2001–2011), Live with Kelly and Michael (2012–2016).
  45. Date of first episode distributed nationally; was aired by WABC locally at The Morning Show, 1983–1988
  46. Only its time as its own television show is counted here; it began on The Tracey Ullman Show as animated shorts. It is currently the longest-running prime time entertainment program with a consistent setting and recurring characters. While other prime-time shows have run longer, they are all news, sports, anthology or variety programs.
  47. ESPN2 started broadcasting major league baseball games in 2002 in addition to those offered by ESPN
  48. Original series ran for 15 seasons, four seasons of the revival.
  49. Also known as Dateline (day of week it airs), Dateline With Stone Phillips
  50. Reruns aired in syndication, 1984–1992
  51. Began as Moneyline. Became Lou Dobbs Moneyline in 2001, Lou Dobbs Tonight in 2003
  52. Local transmission only (WCET), 1972–1996
  53. Full title ESPN Magazine's Sport Reporters
  54. Broadcast locally on WQXI in 1971 and moved to WTBS starting in 1972. Went national when WTBS launched their satellite feed in 1976. Began as Georgia Championship Wrestling in 1971. Became World Championship Wrestling in 1981 and WCW Saturday Night in 1992. Ended as WCW Saturday Morning in 2000.
  55. Renamed "The Hee Haw Show" for 1991–92 season, and Hee Haw Silver for 1992–1993 season ("greatest hits")
  56. Started in 2008, Mystery! was absorbed into Masterpiece (the former Masterpiece Theatre) and airs under the banner Masterpiece Mystery!
  57. In 2010, in between the Power Rangers RPM season and the Power Rangers Samurai season of the show, Disney chose to create and broadcast a "newly re-versioned" season of episodes instead of an actual new season. Since this season is not actual new episodes in of themselves, but rather old episodes with new special effects thrown in them, this season is not usually counted by fans or the current owner of the show (Hasbro) towards the total season count (making the current season count one less than expected despite being on for 30 years). However, it is mentioned here anyway because the current owner of the show, from a production standpoint, does consider its existence as an official season in addition to the other seasons despite not including it in the total season count.
  58. While the show takes place in the same fictional universe for its entire run, it is often renamed on a yearly basis as the central location, theme, and characters change almost completely on a season-by-season basis.
  59. First broadcast episodes on August 28, 1993. Premiered new episodes from August 28, 1993 till August 10, 2002. Last broadcast episodes on September 7, 2002. In select markets was aired on another station other than Fox; such as independent stations, UPN or The WB (see Fox Kids broadcasting ambiguities).
  60. Costumes and footage loosely adapted from Super Sentai.
  61. First broadcast episodes on March 3, 2002. Premiered new episodes from February 14, 2004 till July 10, 2005. Last broadcast episodes on August 31, 2006.
  62. First broadcast episodes on February 14, 2004. Premiered new episodes from July 16, 2005 till November 3, 2008. Last broadcast episodes on February 12, 2009.
  63. First broadcast episodes on September 14, 2002. Premiered new episodes from September 14, 2002 till November 15, 2003; then again from March 7, 2009 till December 26, 2009. Premiered broadcasts of old episodes "newly re-versioned" from January 2, 2010 till August 28, 2010. Last broadcast episodes on August 28, 2010.
  64. First broadcast episodes on August 25, 2012. Never premiered a new episode and never reran new episodes as encore airings shortly after they premiered. All airings were reruns from an older season. Last broadcast episodes on January 12, 2013.
  65. First broadcast episodes on February 7, 2011. Premiered new episodes from February 7, 2011 till April 17, 2021.
  66. First broadcast episodes on February 11, 2011. As of the present[clarification needed] has never premiered a new episode, but does rerun them as encore airings shortly after they premiere. Also airs reruns from previous seasons. Has yet to make its last broadcast.
  67. Presently, each episode first airs on ESPN2 on Fridays, then is repeated on ESPN two days later.
  68. Originally Entertainers
  69. Evolved from Jammin' (1991–1994)
  70. Originally Extra:The Entertainment Magazine
  71. Tom Snyder hosted for 4 seasons, Craig Kilborn for 5, Craig Ferguson 10 for and James Corden for 9
  72. Host: Tom Snyder 1995–1999, Craig Kilborn 1999–2004, Craig Ferguson 2004–2014, James Corden 2015–Present.
  73. The total number of episodes, for each host all combined, is 4,733 as at January 24, 2019.
  74. Is repeated in the afternoon of the same day on Fox News Channel
  75. Originally The Dodge Dancing Party; reruns have been airing since 1982 on various PBS stations, oftentimes recut and spliced with new footage from surviving cast members to give the illusion of new episodes.
  76. Originally called Politics with Chris Matthews
  77. "Special preview" airing April 16, 1994
  78. Hosted by Jack Bailey until 1956.
  79. Hosted by Bob Barker; Steve Dunne also hosted a prime-time version on NBC, 1958.
  80. Hosted by Bob Barker.
  81. Hosted by Bob Hilton.
  82. Title through 1986. Subsequent titles: Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (1986–1989), Siskel & Ebert (1989–1999), Roger Ebert & the Movies (1999–2000), Ebert & Roeper and the Movies (2000–2001), Ebert & Roeper (2001–2007), At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper (2007–2008), At the Movies (2009–2010), Ebert presents At the Movies (2011).
  83. Also known as Showtime in Harlem, Showtime, and Live in Hollywood
  84. Aired as Toast of the Town until 1955
  85. Originated on radio as Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour, 1934–1946
  86. Originally known as Road Rules: All Stars, followed by Real World/Road Rules Challenge.
  87. Now called Freeform.
  88. All episodes total: 415 (as of February 2019).
  89. For list of episodes, see here.
  90. Originally titled The O'Reilly Report (1996–98).
  91. Originally ABC Press Conference; succeeded in time slot by This Week
  92. Originally Opening Soon at a Theater Near You (1975–1977); Sneak Previes Goes Video 1989–1991
  93. It was at one time, prior to The Simpsons succeeding them, known as the longest-running prime time entertainment program with a consistent setting and recurring characters. While other prime-time shows have run longer, they are all news, sports, anthology or variety programs.
  94. Other names: Evans, Novak, Hunt, and Shields (1998–2001), Novak, Hunt, and Shields (2001–2002)
  95. Name changed to Friday Night 1994–2000, Late Friday 2001–2002. In both cases, the name change accompanied a change in program format
  96. Moved to NBC in 2006, at which time Monday Night Football moves from ABC to ESPN
  97. Sunday Night Football shared with TNT, with TNT getting the first half of the season, ESPN the second half, 1990–1997
  98. Also on CBS Radio, 1945–1967
  99. Relaunched as Paramount Network in 2018.
  100. New episodes sporadic after 2001.
  101. Was also known as NBC SportsWorld.
  102. Reruns only (no first-run episodes) in 1994, 1996, and 2001
  103. Each calendar year is defined as a season, this count includes the pilot season, but not the special season. On some listings and streaming/video-on-demand services, the season count is 19 for the original series.
  104. First U.S. network series to film all its episodes in color
  105. Known as The 21st Century from 1967–1970
  106. Aired locally on KPIX San Francisco as Evening: The MTWTF Show, 1976–1978
  107. Includes series of specials, Jan. 1987 to May 1988
  108. Show was kept in production for four episodes beyond what Fox had ordered for the final season. Several months after the last broadcast on Fox, these four leftover episodes premiered in syndication from May 3 through May 7, 2010.
  109. Ed McMahon's Star Search, 1992–1995
  110. HGTV continues to present reruns after non-renewal of series
  111. Also known as Kraft Mystery Theatre (1958); another series of the same name ran concurrently on ABC, 1953–1955
  112. Had 13 week seasons, according to HGTV
  113. Also known as G.E. College Bowl; on NBC radio, 1953–1955; pilot shot 1955.
  114. As Make Room for Daddy; NBC used the same name when airing reruns of this series, 1960–1965
  115. As The Danny Thomas Show
  116. Scheduled date of last episode
  117. Simulcast of live program at WFAN in New York.
  118. On CBS radio 1946–1956
  119. Originated on CBS Radio, 1947
  120. Originally aired locally in Los Angeles, 1947–1950
  121. Began on radio as Ed McConnell and the Buster Brown Gang, 1929–1950; became Andy's Gang in 1954 when Andy Devine became host after McConnell's death

    References

    1. "Meet the Press". NBC News. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012.
    2. See this page, which clearly lists the episode number (and its air date) as part of the episode synopsis.
    3. "HISTORY". Words of Victory. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
    4. "GroveAvenue – WRSP". Retrieved 2022-06-07.
    5. The total number of episodes hosted by Jay Leno combined is 4,610.
    6. Disney anthology television series aired under a variety of titles, including Disneyland, Disney's Wonderful World of Color and The Magical World of Disney. The current title is The Wonderful World of Disney. See the main article for a complete broadcast history
    7. Land, Gary (2005). Historical Dictionary of the Seventh-Day Adventists (Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series). Scarecrow Press. p. 310. ISBN 978-1442241879.
    8. Normally to PBS stations.
    9. Fox, Margalit (December 19, 2013). "Richard D. Heffner, Host of 'The Open Mind,' Dies at 88". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
    10. 12 (1956–1968)
      9 (1969–1978)
      1 (1980–1981)
      1 (1990–1991)
      2 (2000–2002)
      3 (2016–)
    11. "EVOLUTION OF A PREGAME". ViacomCBS Press Express. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
    12. In addition, NBC televised the fall tour, 1984–1991
    13. Various citations concerning the 14,000th episode of General Hospital:
    14. Estimated.
    15. "Jeopardy! 7,000". Sony Pictures. Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015. Tune in May 20th to celebrate with us.
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    17. Simulcast with cable network transmission.
    18. Ryon, Ruth - Hot Property Column Archived 17 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine, Los Angeles Times, March 9, 2003
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    21. Originally The New Price Is Right; longest-running game show in American television history.
    22. SOD (November 24, 2020). "Y&R Gears Up for Milestone Show". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
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    24. As of April 11, 2019.
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    26. Not currently on a regular schedule.
    27. Primarily to public television.
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    29. (as of December 28, 2018; 9,730 weekdays; 1,945 weekend)
    30. The total number of episodes, for each host all combined, is 6,298, as at January 21, 2019.
    31. primarily to public television
    32. Number of seasons can be found at the List of Frontline episodes.
    33. Host: Tom Chapin (1985–1988), Robert Urich (1988–1995), Robert Ballard (1988–1995), Boyd Matson (1995–2003), Michael Fay (2001), Lisa Ling (2003–)
    34. Oldest continuously running radio program, airing on WSM radio, Nashville, Tennessee
    35. As Grand Ole Opry Live!
    36. Date of airing of last first-run episode. Since then, reruns have been syndicated as Best of Soul Train
    37. Originated on CBS
    38. Now called FYI.
    39. Rebroadcast A&E originals, 1999–2006
    40. "The Bold and the Beautiful - About". cbs.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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    43. Pilot taped April 4, 1966
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    46. Also Westbrook Hospital, 1975–1981
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    48. Includes Sunday Night Baseball, Wednesday Night Baseball, etc.
    49. Previously E! News Daily and E! News Live
    50. "The Journey: Writings About Lilias". Archived from the original on 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
    51. Program rebroadcast later the same day on ESPNews
    52. Originally The Phil Donahue Show
    53. Originally Open End; prior to syndication, aired on WNTA-TV 1958–1961
    54. "David Letterman: 33 Years in Latenight by the Numbers". Variety. April 30, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
    55. (as of September 3, 2023; 7,545 weekdays; 1,509 weekend)
    56. Longest-running game show in prime time network television
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    62. 22 (5 on ABC, 17 in syndication)
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    67. Network later renamed Paramount Network.
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    72. "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Episodes". DDD Location Guide. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
    73. "American Ninja Warrior (Titles & Air Dates Guide)". epguides. January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
    74. Reruns now run on RFD-TV.
    75. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. pp. 343–344. ISBN 9781476672939.
    76. Longest-running family drama on television, per Reuters article about 7th Heaven finale[permanent dead link]
    77. "Blue's Clues". Nickelodeon Animation. Burbank, Calif. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
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    Further reading

    • Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–present. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
    • TV Guide Guide to TV (2006). ISBN 0-7607-7572-9.

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