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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 U.S. via national broadcast networks, U.S. cable networks, or syndication. Series continuations (with name changes and/or changes in network) are noted, but series' revivals are treated as separate from the originals (see The People's Court and Jeopardy!). Series broadcast within the US but produced in other countries, such as Coronation Street (50 years as of 2010) and Doctor Who (47 years), are not included. Series shaded in light blue are currently in production.

40+ years

Length Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
63 years 63rd Meet the Press (NBC News)[1] NBC November 6, 1947 present 4,843+ Longest running show.
62 years 62nd CBS Evening News (CBS News)[2] CBS August 14, 1948 present 16,400+ Longest running network newscast.
61 years 61st Music and the Spoken Word[3] Syndicated October 1949 present
59 years 59th Today (NBC News) NBC January 14, 1952 present 17,000+
57 years 59th Hallmark Hall of Fame[4] NBC December 24, 1952 December 17, 1978 236 Not broadcast on a regular schedule, with only a limited number of productions per year.
CBS November 14, 1979 April 30, 1980
PBS February 9, 1981 May 6, 1981
CBS December 1, 1981 January 29, 1989
ABC April 30, 1989 April 23, 1995
CBS December 10, 1995 present
57 years 57 Guiding Light (CBS Daytime)[5] CBS June 30, 1952 September 18, 2009 15,762 Longest running dramatic series of any genre. Longest running daytime drama.
56 years 56th World News (ABC News)[6] ABC September 1953 present 15,722+
55 years 38 "Candid Camera" CBS 1948 2004 1000+
54 years 55th The Tonight Show[7] NBC September 27, 1954 present 10,452+
54 years 55th Face the Nation (CBS News) CBS November 7, 1954 present
53 years 54th It Is Written Syndicated March 1956 present First religious television program to broadcast in color.[8]
55 years 54th The Open Mind Syndicated 1956 present
55 years 54 As the World Turns (CBS Daytime) CBS April 2, 1956 September 17, 2010 13,858
51 years 52 The Wonderful World of Disney [9] ABC October 27, 1954 June 11, 1961 1,224
NBC September 24, 1961 August 16, 1981
CBS September 26, 1981 May 3, 1983
ABC February 2, 1986 May 22, 1988
NBC October 9, 1988 August 26, 1990
Disney
Channel 		September 23, 1990 August 25, 1996
ABC September 28, 1997 December 24, 2008
51 years 51 The NFL on CBS CBS September 30, 1956 January 23, 1994 4,975+
September 6, 1998 present
46 years 47th Professional Bowlers Tour (ABC Sports)[10] ABC[11] 1962 June 21, 1997
CBS 1998[12] 2000
ESPN 1998 present
47 years 47th General Hospital (ABC Daytime) ABC April 1, 1963 present 12,020+
45 years 45 Wide World of Sports (ABC Sports) ABC April 29, 1961 August 2006[13]
45 years 45th Days of our Lives (NBC Daytime) NBC November 8, 1965 present 11,271+
45 years 45th Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Syndicated September 1966 present 45 Annual broadcast
42 years 42nd One Life to Live(ABC Daytime) ABC July 15, 1968 January 2012 10,614+
41 years 42nd Washington Week[14] NET, PBS February 23, 1967 present 2000
41 years 41 Romper Room/Romper Room & Friends[15] Syndicated February 1953 September 1994
41 years 41st 60 Minutes (CBS News) CBS September 24, 1968 present Longest running prime-time TV show.
40 years 40th Sesame Street NET November 10, 1969 May 8, 1970 4,212 Longest running children's show.[16]
PBS November 9, 1970 present
40 years 41st All My Children (ABC Daytime) ABC January 5, 1970 September 2011 10,309+
40 years 40th Monday Night Football (ABC Sports) ABC September 21, 1970 December 26, 2005 626+
ESPN August 14, 2006 present

35-39 years

Length Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
39 years 39th NFL Films Presents Syndicated 1968 1997
ESPN 1997 present
NFL Network November 4, 2003 present
39 years 39th Agronsky & Co./Inside Washington Syndicated 1969 present
39 years 39th NBC Nightly News (NBC News) NBC August 3, 1970 present
38 years 38th The Hour of Power Syndicated February 1970 present 1,900+
38 years 38th Great Performances PBS November 4, 1972 present
38 years 38th The Price Is Right (CBS Daytime)[17] CBS September 4, 1972 present 7,203+ Longest running game show.
38 years 38th The Young and the Restless (CBS Daytime) CBS March 26, 1973 present 9,331+
37 years 37th Masterpiece Theatre PBS January 10, 1971 present
37 years 37th Nova PBS March 3, 1974 present 631
36 years 36th Saturday Night Live[18] NBC October 11, 1975 present 702
35 years 35 Search for Tomorrow (CBS and NBC Daytime) CBS September 3, 1951 March 29, 1982 9,130
NBC March 26, 1982 December 26, 1986
35 years 35 Another World (NBC Daytime) NBC May 4, 1964 June 25, 1999 8,891
34 years 35 Soul Train Syndicated October 2, 1971 March 25, 2006[19] 1,117
34 years 35 Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser[20] PBS November 20, 1970 June 24, 2005
34 years 35 Evening at Pops PBS July 12, 1970 August 29, 2004
35 years 35th 700 Club[21] Syndicated[22] 1966 present
ABC Family 1977 present

30-34 years

Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
34 Good Morning America ABC November 3, 1975 present 8,623+
33 Mister Rogers' Neighborhood NET February 19, 1968 October 1970 895
PBS October 1970 August 31, 2001
33 Family Feud ABC July 12, 1976 June 14, 1985 2,311
CBS July 4, 1988 June 29, 1992
Syndicated September 20, 1999 present 1,300+
33 Firing Line Syndicated 1966[23] 1971 1,504
PBS 1971 December 26, 1999
33 The Victory Garden[24] PBS April 16, 1975 present
32 American Bandstand[25] ABC August 5, 1957 November 5, 1987 4,134
Syndicated 1987 1988
USA April 8, 1989 October 7, 1989
32 PBS NewsHour[26] PBS October 20, 1975 present
32 Inside the NFL HBO 1977 February 6, 2008
Showtime September 10, 2008 [27] present
31 Faith for Today[28] ABC May 21, 1950 1955
Syndicated 1955 1981
31 Creative Living with Sheryl Borden Syndicated 1976 present
31 Austin City Limits PBS 1976 present
31 Live from Lincoln Center PBS January 30, 1976 present[29]
31 CBS News Sunday Morning CBS January 28, 1979 present
31 Lamp Unto My Feet CBS 1948 1979
30 20/20 ABC June 6, 1978 present
30 SportsCenter ESPN and ABC September 7, 1979 present 31,511+ More episodes than any other television series.
30 Live from the Met[30] PBS 1977 2007
30 This Old House PBS 1979 present 786+
30 Mystery![31] PBS February 5, 1980 2008
30 Nightline[32] ABC March 24, 1980 present

25-29 years

Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
29 Bobby Jones Gospel BET November 1980 present
29 Love of Life CBS September 24, 1951 February 1, 1980 7,500
29 Captain Kangaroo[33] CBS October 3, 1955 December 8, 1984
29 Lou Dobbs Tonight[34] CNN June 1, 1980 November 11, 2009
29 Washington Journal[35] C-SPAN October 7, 1980 present
28 The Edge of Night CBS April 2, 1956 November 28, 1975 7,420
ABC December 1, 1975 December 28, 1984
28 This Week[36] ABC 1981 present
28 Entertainment Tonight Syndicated September 14, 1981 present Longest running entertainment news program.
28 The Woodwright's Shop[37] PBS 1981 present 360+
28 Nightly Business Report[38] PBS 1981 present
28 Noticiero Univision[39] Univision June 1, 1981 present
27 The Lawrence Welk Show[40] ABC July 2, 1955 September 4, 1971
Syndicated 1971 February 1982
27 The Phil Donahue Show[41] Syndicated 1969 1996
27 The McLaughlin Group Syndicated 1982 present
27 Nature PBS October 10, 1982 present 440+
27 Frontline PBS January 17, 1983 present 490+
26 MotorWeek[42] PBS 1982 present
26 The David Susskind Show[43] Syndicated 1961 1987
26 Wheel of Fortune Syndicated September 19, 1983 present 5030+
26 Real Videos TBN, JCTV October 4, 1985 present 900+
25 What's My Line?[44] CBS February 16, 1950 September 3, 1967 2,191
Syndicated September 1968 September 1975
25 Insight Syndicated October 2, 1960 January 21, 1985
25 Camera Three CBS January 22, 1956 1979
PBS 1979 July 1, 1980
25 Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom NBC January 6, 1963 April 11, 1971
Syndicated 1971 1988
25 Jeopardy! (revival)[45] Syndicated September 10, 1984 present 5500+
25 Larry King Live CNN June 3, 1985 December 16, 2010

20-24 years

Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
24 CBS Morning News[46] CBS September 2, 1963 January 9, 1987
24 WCW Saturday Night[47] WTCG/WTBS/TBS January 1976[48] June 24, 2000
24 Hee Haw[49] CBS June 15, 1969 July 17, 1971
Syndicated 1971 1992
24 Truth or Consequences [50] CBS[51] September 7, 1950 May 1951
NBC[52] 1952 1952
NBC May 18, 1954[53] September 24, 1965
Syndicated[54] 1966 1974
24 Bodies in Motion ESPN 1983 1994
Fox Sports Net 1994 1995
Discovery Health 1995 2004
FitTV 2004 present
24 Sunday NFL Countdown ESPN September 7, 1985 present
24 National Geographic Explorer[55] Nickelodeon 1985 1986
WTBS/TBS 1986 1999
CNBC 1999 2001
MSNBC[56] 2001 2005
National Geographic 2005 present
23 At the Movies[57] Syndicated September 18, 1986 August 14, 2010
23 Death Valley Days Syndicated March 1, 1952 August 1, 1975 558
23 The Ed Sullivan Show[58] CBS June 20, 1948 June 6, 1971 1087
23 The Oprah Winfrey Show Syndicated September 8, 1986 May 25, 2011 4561
23 Sábado Gigante[59] Univisión April 12, 1986 present
23 Hometime PBS November 1, 1986 present
23 Crossfire CNN 1982 June 3, 2005
23 George Michael Sports Machine[60] NBC September 2, 1984 September 8, 1991
Syndicated September 15, 1991 March 25, 2007
22 America's Most Wanted Fox February 1, 1988 present 940+
22 Grand Ole Opry Live[61] TNN April 20, 1985 August 2001
CMT August 2001 2003
GAC[62] 2003 present
22 The Original Amateur Hour[63] DuMont January 18, 1948 October 1949
NBC October 1949 September 1954
ABC October 1955 June 1957
NBC July 1957 October 1958
CBS May 1959 October 1959
ABC March 1960 September 26, 1960
CBS October 2, 1960 September 27, 1970
22 The Merv Griffin Show NBC October 1962 March 1963
Syndicated 1965 1969
CBS August 18, 1969 February 11, 1972
Syndicated 1972 September 1986
22 The NFL on NBC[64] NBC 1975 1997
22 The Bold and the Beautiful CBS March 23, 1987 present 5500+
22 College GameDay (football series) ESPN September 1987 present
22 NFL Primetime ESPN 1987 present
22 Showtime at the Apollo[65] Syndicated 1987 present
22 The Simpsons[66] FOX December 17, 1989 present 483 Longest running animated series.
21 Live with Regis and Kelly[67] Syndicated September 5, 1988[68] present 6,490+
21 COPS Fox March 11, 1989 present 950+
21 American Experience PBS October 1, 1988 present 230+
21 Reading Rainbow PBS June 6, 1983 November 10, 2006 155
21 Issues and Answers[69] ABC 1960 1981
21 Mike Douglas Show Syndicated 1961 1982 6,000+
21 Sneak Previews[70] PBS 1975 1996
21 This Week in Baseball [71] Syndicated 1977 1998
21 Style with Elsa Klensch CNN June 1, 1980 January 2001
21 Cookin' Cheap PBS 1981 2002
21 For Your Home Syndicated December 1, 1996 present
21 America's Funniest Home Videos ABC November 26, 1989 present 407+
20 The Red Skelton Show NBC September 30, 1951 June 21, 1953
CBS September 22, 1953 June 23, 1970
NBC September 14, 1970 August 29, 1971
20 Gunsmoke[72] CBS September 10, 1955 September 1, 1975 635 Longest running prime-time drama. (tie)
20 Law & Order NBC September 13, 1990 May 24, 2010 456 Longest running prime-time drama. (tie)
20 Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito[73] PBS October 1989 present Longest running cooking program.
20 The Secret Storm CBS February 1, 1954 February 8, 1974 5,195
20 Lassie CBS September 12, 1954 March 21, 1971 588
Syndicated[74] October 7, 1971 1974
20 Concentration (original series) NBC August 25, 1958 March 23, 1973 3,796
Syndicated 1973 1978
20 48 Hours[75] CBS January 2, 1988 present
20 The New Yankee Workshop PBS January 1988 June 27, 2009
20 Biography[76] A&E April 6, 1987[77] August 2006
Biography Channel August 2006 present[78]
20 Evans and Novak[79] CNN September 1982 November 9, 2002
20 The Doctors NBC April 1, 1963 December 31, 1982 5,280

16-19 years

Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
19 Barney & Friends[80] PBS April 5, 1992 present 248
19 The Porter Wagoner Show Syndicated 1960 1979
19 The NFL Today (original series) CBS 1975 January 23, 1994
19 Computer Chronicles PBS 1983 June 25, 2002
19 Friday Night Videos[81] NBC July 29, 1983 May 24, 2002
19 The Sports Reporters[82] ESPN[83] October 9, 1988 present
19 ESPN Sunday Night Football[84] ESPN November 8, 1987[85] January 1, 2006
19 P.O.V. PBS July 5, 1988 present
19 Inside Edition Syndicated January 9, 1989 present
19[86] Power Rangers[87] FOX[88] August 28, 1993 September 7, 2002 704 Longest running United States Tokusatsu Series.[89]
ABC Family[90] March 3, 2002 August 31, 2006
Toon Disney[91] February 14, 2004 February 12, 2009
ABC[92] September 14, 2002 August 28, 2010
Nickelodeon[93] February 7, 2011 present
Nicktoons[94] February 11, 2011 present
18 Art Linkletter's House Party[95] CBS September 1, 1952 September 5, 1969
NBC December 29, 1969 September 25, 1970
18 The Danny Thomas Show ABC[96] September 29, 1953 July 1957
CBS[97] September 1957 September 2, 1971
18 Baseball Tonight ESPN March 19, 1990 present
18 WWF superstars syndication 1984 1996 800
USA 1996 2000
TNN 2001 2002
18 ESPN Major League Baseball[98] ESPN, ESPN2[99] April 15, 1990 present
18 Late Show with David Letterman CBS August 30, 1993 present 3,500+
18 The Real World[100] MTV May 21, 1992 present 435+ Longest running MTV Reality Series.
18 Dateline NBC[101] NBC March 31, 1992 present 1,606+
17 WWE Monday Night Raw USA January 11, 1993 September 18, 2000 900+
TNN/Spike TV September 25, 2000 September 26, 2005
USA October 3, 2005 present
17 NBA on CBS CBS October 20, 1973 June 14, 1990
17 NBA Inside Stuff NBC 1990 2002
ABC 2002 present
17 Outside the Lines ESPN 1990 present
17 Showbiz Today CNN October 29, 1984 2001
17 USA Tuesday Night Fights USA March 30, 1982 1998
17 The Capital Gang CNN September 7, 1988 2005
17 The Montel Williams Show Syndicated June 24, 1991 May 16, 2008 3000+
16 Lilias, Yoga, and You[102] PBS 1976 1999
16 MTV Unplugged MTV November 26, 1989 March 2, 2007[103] 108
16 Booknotes C-SPAN April 2, 1989 December 5, 2004
16 E! News[104] E! September 1, 1991 present
16 The Jerry Springer Show Syndicated September 20, 1991 present 3,362
16 Investigative Reports A&E September 27, 1991 present
16 Charlie Rose PBS September 30, 1991 present
16 Reliable Sources CNN March 7, 1992 present
16 Wheel of Fortune (daytime) NBC January 6, 1975 June 30, 1989
CBS July 17, 1989 January 11, 1991
NBC January 14, 1991 September 20, 1991
16 Fight Back! With David Horowitz Syndicated 1976 1992
16 Late Night with Conan O'Brien[105] NBC October 17, 1993 February 20, 2009 2,725

12-15 years

Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes		 Notes
15 I've Got a Secret CBS June 19, 1952 April 3, 1967 350+
15 Concentration NBC August 25, 1958 March 23, 1973 3,796
15 The Jack Benny Program CBS October 29, 1950 September 15, 1964 343
NBC September 25, 1964 September 10, 1965
15 That Good Ole Nashville Music Syndicated 1970 1985
15 Scientific American Frontiers PBS October 1, 1990 October 19, 2005 97
15 Newton's Apple PBS 1983 1998
17 Inside the Actors Studio Bravo August 14, 1994 present
15 ER NBC September 19, 1994 April 2, 2009 331
15 The Daily Show Comedy Central July 22, 1996 present 1,720+
15 Forensic Files TruTv April 21, 1996 present 350+
15 South Park Comedy Central August 13, 1997 present 200+
14 Watch Mr. Wizard (original series) NBC May 26, 1951 June 27, 1965 547
14 The Adventures of
Ozzie and Harriet[106] 		ABC October 10, 1952 September 3, 1966 435
14 The Jack LaLanne Show Syndicated 1956 1970
14 Bonanza[107] NBC September 12, 1959 January 16, 1973 430
14 Hollywood Squares NBC October 17, 1966 June 20, 1980 3,536
14 Knots Landing CBS December 27, 1979 May 13, 1993 344
14 Ryan's Hope ABC July 7, 1975 January 13, 1989 3,515
14 The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show ABC September 13, 1986 September 2, 2000 387+
14 Marty Stouffer's Wild America PBS 1982 1996 120
14 An Evening at the Improv A&E February 3, 1982 January 1, 1996
14 Speed Week ESPN 1983 1997
14 Video Soul BET June 26, 1983 1997
14 Nick News with Linda Ellerbee Nickelodeon 1992 Present
14 Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures Syndicated September 1, 1993 present
14 NFL Matchup ESPN, ESPN2[108] September 5, 1993 present
14 MADtv FOX October 14, 1995 May 16, 2009 321
14 Monday Night Countdown ESPN September 6, 1993 present
14 Modern Marvels History Channel January 1, 1995 present 529+
14 Road Rules MTV July 19, 1995 present[109]
14 Judge Judy Syndicated September 16, 1996 present Longest running reality courtroom show.
14 Arthur PBS September 2, 1996 present 170 Longest running animated series on PBS.
13 All in the Family[110] CBS January 12, 1971 September 21, 1983 125
13 Rugrats Nickelodeon August 11, 1991 June 8, 2004 172 Longest running animated series on Nickelodeon.
13 Real World/Road Rules Challenge MTV September 28, 1997 present
13 Let's Make a Deal[111] NBC December 30, 1963 December 27, 1968
ABC December 30, 1968 July 9, 1976
13 Howdy Doody NBC December 27, 1947 September 24, 1960
13 Armstrong Circle Theatre NBC June 6, 1950 June 1957
CBS October 1957 August 28, 1963
13 The 20th Century[112] CBS October 20, 1957 January 4, 1970
13 Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids CBS September 9, 1972 August 25, 1984
Syndicated 1984 1985
13 Homes Across America[113] HGTV December 1994 October 12, 2005
13 Kickin' It with Byron Allen[114] Syndicated 1994 present
13 Extra[115] Syndicated September 5, 1994 present 4,000+
13 Fox NFL Sunday Fox September 18, 1994 present
13 Entertainers with Byron Allen[116] Syndicated September 1994 present
13 Dallas CBS April 2, 1978 May 3, 1991 357
13 PM Magazine[117] Syndicated September 1978 January 1, 1991
13 Later NBC August 22, 1988 February 1, 2001
13 Unsolved Mysteries (original series) NBC January 20, 1987[118] September 5, 1997 560+
CBS November 13, 1997 June 11, 1999
Lifetime July 2, 2001 September 20, 2002
13 Tim Russert CNBC 1994 2008
13 The Late Late Show[119] CBS January 9, 1995 present 2,578+
13 King of the Hill FOX January 12, 1997 September 13, 2009[120] 259
13 Golf Talk Golf Channel January 17, 1995 present
13 Golf Central Golf Channel January 18, 1995 present
13 Hannity & Colmes Fox News Channel October 6, 1996 January 9, 2009
12 The Joker's Wild CBS September 3, 1972 June 13, 1975 3,026
Syndicated[121] September 1977 May 23, 1986
12 Star Search[122] Syndicated September 10, 1983 May 20, 1995
12 To Tell the Truth CBS December 18, 1956 September 6, 1968
12 The Joy of Painting PBS 1983 1995
12 Divorce Court (original series)[123] Syndicated 1957 1969
12 CBS Reports CBS October 27, 1959 September 7, 1971
12 The Lucy Show[124] CBS October 1, 1962 September 2, 1974 156
12 The People's Court (original series)[125] Syndicated September 1981 1993 2,484
12 My Three Sons ABC September 29, 1960 September 2, 1965
CBS September 16, 1965 August 24, 1972
12 NYPD Blue ABC September 21, 1993 March 1, 2005 261
12 Murder, She Wrote CBS September 1, 1984 May 19, 1996 264
12 Hawaii Five-O (original series) CBS September 26, 1968 April 26, 1980 284
12 Loving ABC June 27, 1983 November 10, 1995 3,169
12 Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous Syndicated January 1984 September 1996
12 CBS This Morning[126] CBS November 30, 1987 October 29, 1999 2,143+
12 House of Style MTV January 1, 1989 2000
12 The Jenny Jones Show Syndicated September 16, 1991 September 12, 2003 1,500
12 Room by Room HGTV December 31, 1994 2006[127]
12 The NBA on NBC NBC 1990 2002
12 Spongebob Squarepants Nickelodeon May 1, 1999 present
12 Squawk Box CNBC 1995 present
12 Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel HBO 1995 present
12 Private Screenings TCM January 1, 1996 present
12 NFL Flims Presents ESPN 1993 present
12 X-Play G4 1998 present 1000+
12 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ABC August 16, 1999 June 27, 2002 1000+
Syndicated September 16, 2002 present
12 WWE Friday Night SmackDown UPN August 26, 1999 September 15, 2006 600
The CW September 22, 2006 September 26, 2008
MyNetwork TV October 3, 2008 September 24, 2010
SyFy October 1, 2010 present
12 Big Brother US CBS July 5, 2000 Present 414

10-11 years

Number of
seasons		 Series Network First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes
11 Cheaters Syndicated/ The CW November 26, 1999 present 220
11 Kraft Television Theatre[128] NBC May 7, 1947 October 1, 1958 650
11 The Voice of Firestone NBC September 5, 1949 June 1954
ABC June 1954 June 1959
ABC September 1962 June 16, 1963
11 You Bet Your Life NBC October 5, 1950 June 29, 1961 429
11 The Andy Williams Show CBS 1957 1959
NBC 1962 1971
11 Beat the Clock (original series)[129] CBS March 23, 1950 September 12, 1958
ABC October 13, 1958 January 30, 1961
11 Jeopardy! (original NBC series)[130] NBC March 30, 1964 January 3, 1975 2,753
11 The General Electric College Bowl[131] CBS January 4, 1959 1963
NBC 1963 June 14, 1970
11 The Wilburn Brothers Show Syndicated 1987 1998 354
11 Law and Order: Special Victims Unit NBC September 20, 1999 Present 236
11 Divorce Court (revival reality show) Syndicated/Fox Twentieth Television September 15, 1999 Present 2,076
11 The Carol Burnett Show CBS September 11, 1967 March 29, 1978 278
11 M*A*S*H CBS September 17, 1972 February 28, 1983 251
11 Cheers NBC September 30, 1982 May 20, 1993 273
11 Late Night with David Letterman NBC February 1, 1982 June 25, 1993 1,810
11 The Howard Stern Show E! June 18, 1994 July 8, 2005
11 Frasier NBC September 16, 1993 May 13, 2004 264
11 Geraldo Syndicated 1987 1998
11 Married... with Children Fox April 5, 1987 June 9, 1997 259
11 Happy Days ABC January 15, 1974 May 26, 1984 255
11 Love Connection Syndicated September 12, 1983 July 1, 1994 2,425
11 Talk Soup E! December 26, 1991 May 17, 2002
11 Martha Stewart Living Syndicated 1993 2004
11 Ricki Lake Syndicated September 13, 1993 August 27, 2004
11 Good Eats Food Network July 7, 1999 present 235
11 All That Nickelodeon September 6, 1994[132] October 22, 2005 184
11 7th Heaven[133] The WB August 26, 1996 September 18, 2006 243
The CW September 25, 2006 May 13, 2007[134]
11 Despierta America Univision April 14, 1997 present
11 Imus in the Morning[135] MSNBC September 2, 1996 April 11, 2007
11 Access Hollywood Syndicated September 9, 1996 present 3,265+
11 Fox News Live Fox News Channel October 6, 1996 present
11 Your World with Neil Cavuto Fox News Channel October 6, 1996 present
11 The O'Reilly Factor[136] Fox News Channel October 6, 1996 present
11 Gardening by the Yard HGTV 1996 present
11 E! True Hollywood Story E! 1996 present 500+
11 Fox News Sunday Fox[137] 1996 present
11 A Wedding Story TLC 1996 present
11 Antiques Roadshow PBS January 1, 1997 present
11 Arthur Godfrey and His Friends CBS January 12, 1949 April 28, 1959
11 The Jeffersons CBS January 18, 1975 July 23, 1985 255
10 Smallville The CW October 16, 2001 May 13, 2011 217
10 Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts[138] CBS December 6, 1948 July 21, 1958
10 Studio One[139] CBS November 7, 1948 September 29, 1958
10 Pantomime Quiz[140] CBS October 4, 1949 August 28, 1951
NBC January 2, 1952 March 26, 1952
10 Ed, Edd n Eddy January 4, 1999 November 8, 2009 Cartoon Network
CBS July 4, 1952 September 1952
CBS July 1953 August 28, 1953
DuMont October 20, 1953 April 13, 1954
CBS July 9, 1954 August 27, 1954
ABC January 1955 March 1955
CBS July 8, 1955 September 6, 1957
ABC April 1958 September 1958
ABC January 1959 September 1959
10 The Arthur Murray Party[141] ABC July 20, 1950 September 1950
DuMont October 1950 March 1951
ABC April 1951 May 1952
CBS July 1952 August 1952
DuMont October 1952 April 1953
CBS June 1953 October 1953
NBC October 1953 September 1955
CBS April 1956 September 1956
NBC July 1957 September 6, 1960
10 Smilin' Ed's Gang[142] NBC August 26, 1950 May 19, 1951
CBS August 11, 1951 April 11, 1953
ABC August 22, 1953 April 23, 1955
CBS August 20, 1955 December 31, 1960
10 General Electric Theater CBS February 1, 1953 September 16, 1962
10 America's Test Kitchen PBS 2001 Present
10 The Pink Panther Show[143] NBC September 13, 1969 September 2, 1978
ABC September 9, 1978[144] September 1, 1979
10 A Current Affair Syndicated July 28, 1986 1996
10 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (original series) Syndicated December 10, 1987 February 9, 1990 193
CBS September 10, 1990 November 2, 1996
10 Stargate SG-1[145] Showtime July 27, 1997 May 17, 2002 215[146]
Sci Fi June 7, 2002 March 13, 2007[147]
10 Alfred Hitchcock Presents[148] NBC October 2, 1955 June 26, 1960 366
CBS September 25, 1960 June 26, 1962[149]
NBC September 20, 1962 July 3, 1964
CBS October 5, 1964 May 10, 1965
10 Murphy Brown CBS November 14, 1988 May 18, 1998 247
10 Hard Copy Syndicated September 18, 1989 April 26, 1999
10 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Cartoon Network/Adult Swim April 15, 1994 May 31, 2008 110
10 Friends NBC September 22, 1994 May 6, 2004 236
10 JAG NBC September 1, 1995 May 22, 1996[150] 227
CBS January 3, 1997 April 29, 2005
10 Beverly Hills, 90210 Fox October 4, 1990 May 17, 2000 296
10 Nashville Now TNN March 1, 1983 January 1, 1993
10 Getting Fit ESPN 1987 1997
10 Mystery Science Theater 3000[151] Comedy Central November 27, 1989 May 18, 1996 198
Sci Fi Channel February 1, 1997 August 8, 1999[152]
10 The Crocodile Hunter Animal Planet October 1996 2006 345
10 The People's Court (revival)[153] Syndicated September 1997 present 1500+
10 Hardball with Chris Matthews[154] CNBC 1997 1999
MSNBC 1999 present
10 Emeril Live Food Network 1997 present
10 Denise Austin's Daily Workout Lifetime 1997 present
10 The U.S. Steel Hour ABC October 27, 1953 June 21, 1955
CBS July 6, 1955 August 13, 1963
10 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBS October 6, 2000 Present 200+

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 1951-1963
  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 (1952-1954)
  5. ^ Originally The Guiding Light. Only its time on television is counted here; it began on radio January 25, 1937.
  6. ^ 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-present
  7. ^ Includes the various permutations and rebrandings over the years, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
  8. ^ http://www.itiswritten.com/about/facts
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ Name often altered to reflect primary sponsor. Name on current broadcasts: Denny's PBA Tour
  11. ^ In addition, NBC televised the fall tour, 1984-1991
  12. ^ 1998-2000 broadcast seasons were shared by CBS and ESPN
  13. ^ Weekly broadcasts ended January 1, 1997; irregular airings afterward; officially ended with the absorption of ABC Sports into ESPN
  14. ^ Originally Washington Week in Review
  15. ^ 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
  16. ^ 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. Its just that some of those programs' seasons/years don't count as said programs weren't broadcast nationwide for their entire run.
  17. ^ Originally The New Price Is Right; longest running game show in American television history.
  18. ^ Originally NBC Saturday Night
  19. ^ Date of airing of last first-run episode. Since then, reruns have been syndicated as Best of Soul Train
  20. ^ Became Wall Street Week with Fortune after original host was fired in 2002
  21. ^ Aired locally on WYAH-TV Portsmouth, Virginia, 1966-1977; evolved from locally-broadcast telethons 1962-1966
  22. ^ Simulcast with cable network transmission
  23. ^ Pilot taped April 4, 1966
  24. ^ Jim Crockett's Victory Garden, 1975-79
  25. ^ Continuation of Bandstand, which aired on WFIL 1952–1957
  26. ^ Previously The Robert MacNeil Report (1975), The MacNeil/Lehrer Report (1975-1983), The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour 1975-1995
  27. ^ Scheduled
  28. ^ Also Westbrook Hospital, 1975-1981
  29. ^ Not currently on a regular schedule
  30. ^ Also known as The Metropolitan Opera Presents
  31. ^ Started in 2008, Mystery! was absorbed into Masterpiece (the former Masterpiece Theatre) and airs under the banner Masterpiece Mystery!
  32. ^ Evolved from The Iran Crisis - America Held Hostage (1979-80)
  33. ^ Reruns aired in syndication, 1984-1992
  34. ^ Began as Moneyline. Became Lou Dobbs Moneyline in 2001, Lou Dobbs Tonight in 2003
  35. ^ Weekend editions are simulcast on the BBC Parliament channel with the name America This Week
  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. Christianne Amapour took over as host in 2010.
  37. ^ Broadcast only in North Carolina, 1979-1981
  38. ^ Broadcast locally only on WPBT, 1979-1981
  39. ^ Originally titled "Noticiero SIN" when the Univision Network was known as SIN (Spanish International Network).
  40. ^ Originally The Dodge Dancing Party; reruns have been airing since 1982 on various PBS stations, often times re cut and spliced with new footage from surviving cast members to give the illusion of new episodes.
  41. ^ Originally The Phil Donahue Show
  42. ^ Also syndicated, 1982-present
  43. ^ Originally Open End; prior to syndication, aired on WNTA-TV 1958-1961
  44. ^ Longest-running game show in prime time network television
  45. ^ Hosted by Alex Trebek
  46. ^ Morning 1979-1982
  47. ^ Previously Georgia Championship Wrestling (1972-1984), World Championship Wrestling (1984-1992)
  48. ^ Date when WTCG was distributed nationally via cable (WTCG evolved into TBS). Broadcast on WTCG started January 1972.
  49. ^ Renamed Hee Haw Silver for 1992-1993 season ("greatest hits"); reruns aired on The Nashville Network 1992-1997
  50. ^ Originated on NBC Radio 1940-1951.
  51. ^ Hosted by Ralph Edwards
  52. ^ Hosted by Jack Bailey
  53. ^ Hosted by Bob Barker; Steve Dunne also hosted a primetime version on NBC, 1958
  54. ^ Hosted by Bob Barker
  55. ^ Host: Tom Chapin (1985-1988), Robert Urich (1988-1995), Bob Ballard (1988-1995), Boyd Matson (1995-2003), Michael Fay (2001), Lisa Ling (2003-)
  56. ^ Show renamed National Geographic Ultimate Explorer 2003-2005
  57. ^ 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)
  58. ^ Aired as Toast of the Town until 1955
  59. ^ Continuation of series that aired 1962-1985 on Chile's Canal 13
  60. ^ Evolved from George Michael's Sports Final, 1980-1984 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111600669.html)
  61. ^ Oldest continuously running radio program, airing on WSM radio, Nashville, Tennessee
  62. ^ As Grand Ole Opry Live!
  63. ^ Originated on radio as Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour, 1934-1946
  64. ^ Originally GrandStand, then changed name to reflect year; was also NFL Live 1987-1997
  65. ^ Also known as Showtime in Harlem, Showtime, and Live in Hollywood
  66. ^ 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.
  67. ^ Other names: Live With Regis and Kathie Lee (1988-2000), Live With Regis (2000-2001)
  68. ^ Date of first episode distributed nationally; was aired by WABC locally at The Morning Show, 1983-1988
  69. ^ Originally ABC Press Conference; succeeded in time slot by This Week
  70. ^ Originally Opening Soon at a Theater Near You (1975-1977); Sneak Previes Goes Video 1989-1991
  71. ^ Original version hosted by Mel Allen (1977-1996), Warner Fusselle (1996), and Ozzie Smith (1997-1998)
  72. ^ 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.
  73. ^ America's longest-running cooking show, running consecutive episodes and consecutive seasons. While some believe Julia Child's series to have run longer, Child and other appeared in series with different names, hosts. Ciao Italia has been on the air since 1989.
  74. ^ Syndicated title: Lassie and Timmy
  75. ^ Also called 48 Hours Investigates
  76. ^ Originated on CBS
  77. ^ Reran CBS originals, 1984-1987
  78. ^ Rebroadcast A&E originals, 1999-2006
  79. ^ Other names: Evans, Novak, Hunt, and Shields (1998-2001), Novak, Hunt, and Shields (2001-2002)
  80. ^ Reruns only (no first-run episodes) in 1994, 1996, and 2001
  81. ^ Name changed to Friday Night 1994-2000, Late Friday 2001-2002. In both cases, the name change accompanied a change in program format
  82. ^ Full title ESPN Magazine's Sport Reporters
  83. ^ Program rebroadcast later the same day on ESPNEWS
  84. ^ Moved to NBC in 2006, at which time Monday Night Football moves from ABC to ESPN
  85. ^ Sunday Night Football shared with TNT, with TNT getting the first half of the season, ESPN the second half, 1990-1997
  86. ^ 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 isn't actual new episodes in of themselves, but rather old episodes with new special effects thrown in them, this season isn't usually counted by fans towards the total season count (making the current season the 18th). However, it is mentioned here anyway because the current owner of the show (Saban Brands), from a production standpoint, does consider its existence as an official season in addition to the other seasons (making the current season the 19th).
  87. ^ While the show takes place in the same fictional universe, as a whole, 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. In essence, most seasons of the show can be thought of more as a series of individual shows that make up a larger television franchise, like Star Trek for example.
  88. ^ 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.
  89. ^ Costumes and footage loosely adapted from Super Sentai.
  90. ^ First broadcast episodes on March 3, 2002. Premiered new episodes from February 14, 2004 till November 20, 2004. Last broadcast episodes on August 31, 2006.
  91. ^ First broadcast episodes on February 14, 2004. Premiered new episodes from February 5, 2005 till November 3, 2008. Last broadcast episodes on February 12, 2009.
  92. ^ 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.
  93. ^ First broadcast episodes on February 7, 2011. Premiered new episodes from February 7, 2011 till the present. Has yet to make its last broadcast.
  94. ^ First broadcast episodes on February 11, 2011. As of the present 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.
  95. ^ Also on CBS Radio, 1945-1967
  96. ^ As Make Room for Daddy; NBC used the same name when airing reruns of this series, 1960-1965
  97. ^ As The Danny Thomas Show
  98. ^ Includes Sunday Night Baseball, Wednesday Night Baseball, etc.
  99. ^ ESPN2 started broadcasting major league baseball games in 2002 in addition to those offered by ESPN
  100. ^ According to MTV, 19th season began August 8, 2007
  101. ^ Also known as Dateline (day of week it airs), Dateline With Stone Phillips
  102. ^ Local transmission only (WCET), 1972-1996
  103. ^ New episodes sporadic after 2001
  104. ^ Previously E! News Daily and E! News Live
  105. ^ Although branded and treated as a separate series, technically this is a continuation of Late Night with David Letterman (11 seasons), and was in turn followed in 2009 by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. As such, Late Night, as an entity, can be said to be currently in its 28th season.
  106. ^ Longest running live-action sitcom.
  107. ^ First US network series to film all its episodes in color
  108. ^ Presently, each episode first airs on ESPN2 on Fridays, then is repeated on ESPN two days later
  109. ^ Season 14 in progress; the start of Season 15 has been announced for January 2008
  110. ^ Renamed Archie Bunker's Place 1979-1983
  111. ^ original network series - syndicated version ran 1971-1977; short-lived "revivals" followed
  112. ^ The 21st Century 1967-1970
  113. ^ Had 13 week seasons, according to HGTV
  114. ^ Evolved from Jammin' (1991-1994)
  115. ^ Originally Extra:The Entertainment Magazine
  116. ^ Originally Entertainers
  117. ^ Aired locally on KPIX San Francisco as Evening: The MTWTF Show, 1976-1978
  118. ^ Includes series of specials, Jan. 1987 to May 1988
  119. ^ Host: Tom Snyder 1995-1999, Craig Kilborn 1999-2004, Craig Ferguson 2004-
  120. ^ 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 3rd through May 7th, 2010.
  121. ^ Syndicated revival prompted by success of syndicated repeats of CBS episodes in 1976
  122. ^ Ed McMahon's Star Search, 1992-1995
  123. ^ With Judge Voltaire Perkins
  124. ^ Originally The Lucille Ball Show; was also Here's Lucy 1968-1974
  125. ^ With Judge Joseph Wapner
  126. ^ This Morning 1996-1999
  127. ^ HGTV continues to present reruns after non-renewal of series
  128. ^ Also known as Kraft Mystery Theatre (1958); another series of the same name ran concurrently on ABC, 1953-1955
  129. ^ Emcee: Bud Collyer
  130. ^ Hosted by Art Fleming
  131. ^ Also known as G.E. College Bowl; on NBC radio, 1953-1955; pilot shot 1955
  132. ^ "Special preview" airing, April 16, 1994
  133. ^ Longest-running family drama on television, per Reuters article about 7th Heaven finale
  134. ^ Scheduled date of last episode
  135. ^ Simulcast of live program at WFAN New York
  136. ^ Originally The O'Reilly Report
  137. ^ First-run broadcast on Fox; repeated in the afternoon of the same day on Fox News Channel
  138. ^ On CBS radio 1946-1956
  139. ^ Originated on CBS Radio, 1947
  140. ^ Originally aired locally in Los Angeles, 1947-1950
  141. ^ The first series to be shown on four US broadcasting networks
  142. ^ 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
  143. ^ The Pink Panther Meets the Ant and the Aardvark 1970-1971; The New Pink Panther Show 1971-1974; The Pink Panther Laugh and a Half Hour and a Half Show 1976-1977; Think Pink Panther 1977-1978
  144. ^ As The All New Pink Panther Show
  145. ^ Longest-running American-produced science fiction series.
  146. ^ According to Sci Fi Wire
  147. ^ Cancellation announced by Sci Fi Channel, August 21, 2006
  148. ^ The Alfred Hitchcock Hour 1962-1965
  149. ^ One episode wasn't aired on network TV, but was included in later syndication packages
  150. ^ One episode made its premiere on USA Network as part of a JAG rerun package. The episode, planned to be the first of a two-part story, never aired on NBC before cancellation.
  151. ^ Also known as MST3K; first aired locally on KTMA, 1988-1989
  152. ^ official end of series, although one "unofficial" episode (Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders) was shown a month later
  153. ^ Judges: Ed Koch (1997-1999), Jerry Sheindlin (1999-2001), Marilyn Milian (2001-present)
  154. ^ Originally Politics with Chris Matthews

References used for above

  • 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
  • The show's listing on www.tv.com and www.epguides.com
  • The show's homepage (if available) and the Internet site of the network that offered the show.
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