List of longest-running radio programmes

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These are the longest-running radio programmes – those which were broadcast regularly for many decades.

Pilots, special broadcasts and repeats after the continuous run are not counted in the primary statistic. Title changes are acceptable if the format and presentation is otherwise continuous.

List[edit]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Programme Years Longest serving years Station First broadcast Last broadcast Number of broadcasts Notes and citations
Shipping Forecast 100 40 by Peter Jefferson BBC 1 January 1924 over 130,000 Shipping forecasts were first broadcast by telegraph in 1859 and the first radio broadcast in the current format was broadcast in 1924.[4][5]
Grand Ole Opry 98 67 by Jimmy Dickens WSM 28 November 1925 Over 5,000 Live country music[6]
Choral Evensong 97 BBC 7 October 1926 Longest running live outside broadcast programme in radio history. Generally comprising Anglican evensong, occasionally Roman Catholic vespers. Initially broadcast on BBC Home Service, later branded BBC Radio 4, until 8 April 1970 when the programme moved to BBC Radio 3.
The Daily Service 96 43 by All Souls Church, Langham Place BBC 2 January 1928 over 33,500 Live church sermon, bible reading, and choral music[2]
Music & the Spoken Word 94 40 by Richard L. Evans[7] KSL 15 July 1929[7] over 4,700 The choir started broadcasting occasional rehearsals on KZN in 1922 but were wary of radio's quality and the current weekly programme did not start until 1929[7]
Voice of Prophecy 94 40 by H. M. S. Richards syndicated 19 October 1929 Seventh-day Adventist religious program. Previously broadcast nationally on the Mutual Broadcasting System (1942-1947), ABC Radio (1947-1956), NBC Radio Network (beginning in 1956).[8]
Folkemusikktimen 93 26 by Rolf Myklebust (1952-1978) NRK 7 March 1931 4,700+ Weekly folk music program[9]
Metropolitan Opera 92 44 by Milton Cross (1931-1975) NBC Blue Network (1931-1945),
ABC (1944-1958),
CBS Radio (1958-1960),
syndicated (1960–present) 		25 December 1931 1,500+ Longest-running continuous classical music program in radio history[10]
Rambling with Gambling 91 34 by John B. Gambling WOR 1925 2016 Hosted by three generations of hosts all named "John Gambling." Known as The John Gambling Show from 2000 to 2016 for legal reasons.
Chapter a Day 91 75 by Karl Schmidt WPR (WHA (AM)) 25 July 1932 (possibly earlier) Daily reading of books from various genres in half-hour increments. Summer program until 1939 and has been year-round since then. Some records suggest it may have first aired on WHA (AM) in the late 1920s. Carried on Wisconsin Public Radio since that network began in 1932 as Wisconsin Educational Radio.
Mahishasura Mardini 91 Birendra Krishna Bhadra, live until 1966 when a recording was made All India Radio 11 October 1932 An annual religious recital of the Chandipath for Durga Puja which started in the 1930s.[11][12][13]
Julehilsen til Grønland 91 DR December 1932 Christmas greeting to Greenland. Televised since 1983.
The King's/Queen's Christmas Message 91 69 by Elizabeth II BBC 25 December 1932 88 (as of 2023) Broadcast internationally on the BBC World Service and by various Commonwealth broadcasters. Not broadcast in 1936, 1938, and 1969.
(WWVA) Jamboree 91 WWVA to 2007
WWOV-LP since 2014 		7 January 1933 Originally a weekly show, now limited to semi-annual specials and reruns[14]
The Haven of Rest/Haven Today 90 37 by Paul Myers syndicated 16 March 1934 Christian evangelical. Called Haven Today since 2001, is a mix of music, Biblical teaching, interviews and current events. Based in California.
The Lutheran Hour 89 33 by Oswald Hoffmann 2 October 1930 Program originally broadcast from 2 October 1930 to 11 June 1931 and began its continuous run on 3 February 1935.[15]
A Voz do Brasil 88 22 July 1935 National government sponsored weekly information programme. Originated as Programa Nacional, renamed A Hora do Brasil in January 1938 when it became a mandatory broadcast; known as Voz do Brasil since 1971.
Lørdagsbarnetimen 86 NRK 20 December 1924 11 September 2010 A weekly children's radio program. Off the air during World War II. By the time of its final broadcast it had become the world's longest-running regular weekly radio series.[16]
La Hora Nacional 86 25 July 1937 Weekly government-sponsored cultural and information broadcast required to be aired by all Mexican radio stations.
CBS World News Roundup 86 25 by Dallas Townsend CBS News Radio 13 March 1938[17] Broadcast on which Edward R. Murrow made his debut. Began as a special to report the Nazi occupation of Austria and again during the Sudetenland crisis, evolved into a daily broadcast during World War II.[18]
Back to the Bible 84–85 41 by Theodore Epp 1939 2020 Has been only available as a podcast since 2020.
National Research Council Time Signal 83 CBC Radio November 5, 1939 October 9, 2023[19] Aired daily marking 1 pm, Eastern Time
King Biscuit Time 82 67 by "Sunshine" Sonny Payne KFFA 21 November 1941 over 17,000 Longest running daily American radio program[20]
Voci del Grigioni italiano 82 RSI 25 November 1941 4,000 approx. Guinness World Record: "Longest running factual weekly radio programme"[21]
Desert Island Discs 82 43 by Roy Plomley BBC 29 January 1942 over 3,200 [22]
Renfro Valley Gatherin' 80–81 Syndicated 1943 Features short stories, monologues, and a house band performing folk, gospel, and traditional country music.[23]
Arbeidsvitaminen 78 NPO Radio 5 19 February 1946 Music request programme
Hot Air 76 30 by Bob Smith CBC Vancouver 24 May 1947 CBC Radio's longest-running show features jazz from all eras.[24][25]
Midnite Jamboree 74 WSM 31 May 1947 3,807+ Interruptions in continuous run in 2015,[26] 2020, and 2022.
Sports Report 76 39 by James Alexander Gordon BBC 3 January 1948 The show started listing classified football results in the early 1950s but this ceased in 2022.[27][28]
Any Questions 75 32 by Jonathan Dimbleby BBC Radio 4 12 October 1948 The longest running live discussion programme in the UK, Any Questions?, began in the West Region on 12 October 1948. It moved to the Home Service on 13 June 1950[29]
Your Story Hour 75 syndicated 27 March 1949 Children's Radio dramas based on the Bible, historical heroes, and true-to-life adventures.
Unshackled! 73 syndicated 23 September 1950 over 6,500 Religious anthology series.[30]
The Fisheries Broadcast 73 CBN (CBC Radio Newfoundland) 5 March 1951 Originally The Fisherman's Broadcast and now The Broadcast, daily "explores the stories of people in Newfoundland and Labrador who work in jobs or live in communities that depend on the sea."[31]
The Archers 73 63 by June Spencer as Peggy Woolley BBC 1 January 1951 over 18,740 Longest-running Soap opera in the world. Set in rural England.[32]
The Baptist Bible Hour 71 70 by Elder Lasserre Bradley Jr. WCVX, syndicated across the United States February 2, 1953 Over 5,000 Daily Baptist sermon and choral singing, broadcast from Cincinnati, Ohio[33]
Folksong Festival 70 70 by Oscar Brand WNYC 9 December 1945 24 September 2016 3,600 approx. Guinness World Record: "Longest running weekly radio programme (same host)"[34]
The Midnight Special 70 37 by Rich Warren (including 13 years as a co-host) WFMT 23 May 1953 Saturday night folk music program originally hosted by future film director Mike Nichols. Syndicated nationally since 1971.[35][36]
Farming Today 63 BBC 20 September 1960 Agricultural news
The Happy Station Show 61 35 by Eddy Startz PCJJ (1928-1940, 1946–47), Radio Netherlands (1947-1995) 18 November 1928 17 September 1995 Long-running shortwave radio light entertainment programme from Holland in English and Spanish. Had an audience of as high as 100 million in the 1930s[37] and 25 million in the 1970s.[38] Off the air during World War II. Cross Country Checkup 58 21 by Rex Murphy CBC Radio 16 May 1965 Weekly national phone-in show.
Ideas 58 20 by Paul Kennedy CBC Radio 10 October 1965 A nightly hour-long scholarly documentary programme.
Letter from America 57 57 by Alistair Cooke BBC 24 March 1946 20 February 2004 2,869 Longest-running speech radio programme hosted by one individual.[39]
Night Vision 56 51 by Pastor George W. Bogle Sr. WMUZ-FM 15 September 1967 16,500 approx. A live call-in broadcast for prayer. Began in 1967 as Evangel Echos, changed name to Night Vision in 2005.[40]
As It Happens 55 18 by Mary Lou Finlay CBC Radio 18 November 1968 A nightly current affairs newsmaker interview programme.[41]
The World Tomorrow 52 32 by Herbert W. Armstrong syndicated in North America, Radio Luxembourg to Europe (1953-1980s) 7 January 1934 ca. 1986 Called the Radio Church of God until 1939. Continued on television until 1994. Presented predominantly by Garner Ted Armstrong from 1958 to 1978 and by Herbert W. Armstrong until 1958 and from 1978 until his death in 1986.
Your Hundred Best Tunes 47 44 by Alan Keith BBC 15 November 1959 21 January 2007 2,500 approx. Popular works which were mostly classical excerpts, choral works, opera and ballads.[42]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Alex Hudson (17 February 2012), The lull of the Shipping Forecast, BBC News
  2. ^ a b Seán Street (2009), The A to Z of British Radio, Scarecrow Press, p. 89, ISBN 9780810870130, This 15-minute act of worship ... began in 1928
  3. ^ Mark J. Cartledge; Sarah Dunlop; Heather Buckingham; Sophie Bremner (2019), Megachurches and Social Engagement, BRILL, p. 160, ISBN 9789004402652
  4. ^ Charlie Connelly (2005), Attention All Shipping, Abacus, p. 25, ISBN 0-349-11603-2, the shipping forecast first appeared in something approximating its current format, on January 1, 1924
  5. ^ Andy Walmsley (27 January 2015), "A Brief History of the Shipping Forecast", Random radio jottings
  6. ^ Katie Miller (10 October 2016), "A History Of The Grand Ole Opry, The Longest Running U.S. Radio Show", Culture trip
  7. ^ a b c Eldean Bennett (2004), "Mormon Tabernacle Choir", in Christopher H. Sterling (ed.), Encyclopedia of Radio, vol. 3, Taylor & Francis, p. 1592, ISBN 9781135456498
  8. ^ https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=EAC6
  9. ^ "Folkemusikktimen i 85 år". 9 March 2016.
  10. ^ Official site Archived 2002-12-12 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Saayan Chattopadhyay (2013), Performing Religion in Public, Palgrave Macmillan, p. 217, ISBN 9781137338631
  12. ^ Xenia Zeiler (24 October 2019), Digital Hinduism, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781351607322, It was in 1932 that Indian Broadcasting service started the broadcast of 'Mahishasura Mardini' on 'Shosthi' or the sixth day when actually the Durga Puja starts.
  13. ^ Vaishna Roy (8 October 2021), "Birendra Bhadra: The voice that heralds Durga Puja", The Hindu
  14. ^ 88th Wheeling Jamboree cancelled
  15. ^ Hangen, Tona (2002). "Man of the Hour: Walter A. Maier and Religion by Radio on The Lutheran Hour". In Hilmes, Michelle; Loviglio, Jason (eds.). Radio Reader: Essays in the Cultural History of Radio. New York: Routledge. pp. 117–118. ISBN 0-415-92820-6.
  16. ^ NRK (7 December 2004). "Tre timer med Lørdagsbarnetimen". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  17. ^ Smith, Steven (12 March 2013). "Reporting on history: CBS World News Roundup marks 75 years". CBS News. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  18. ^ Axelrod, Jim (15 March 2013). "Pioneering CBS radio show reaches a special milestone". CBS News. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  19. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/cbc-stops-broadcasting-national-research-council-long-dash-time-signal-1.6988903
  20. ^ Byrnes, Jim (24 August 2018). ""Pass the biscuits, It's King Biscuit Time!"". Flapper Press. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Longest running factual weekly radio programme", Guinness World Records, 10 April 2009
  22. ^ Interview featuring musical choices selected by the guest"Desert Island Discs: Britain's longest-running radio show", Daily Telegraph
  23. ^ History of the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
  24. ^ "CBC's Hot Air celebrates being Canada's longest-running radio show... We think".
  25. ^ "75 years ago, a jazz-loving football announcer created CBC's longest-running show".
  26. ^ Littman, Margaret (1 April 2015). "Ernest Tubb's 'Midnite Jamboree' Hits Pause". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  27. ^ Jonathan Jurejko (2 December 2012), James Alexander Gordon: The voice behind the classified check, BBC Sport
  28. ^ "Classified football results get the boot", The Times, no. 73857, p. 1, 9 August 2022
  29. ^ "First edition of Any Questions?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023.
  30. ^ Owens, John (5 April 2015). "Radio docudrama 'Unshackled' still rings true after 65 years". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  31. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/mobile/newfoundland-and-labrador/nl-fisheries-broadcast/ [bare URL]
  32. ^ "The Archers – Frequently Asked Questions", BBC
  33. ^ https://baptistbiblehour.org/about/faq
  34. ^ "Longest running weekly radio programme (same host)", Guinness World Records, 24 September 2017
  35. ^ "THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL CELEBRATES 70th ANNIVERSARY", WFMT
  36. ^ https://www.wfmt.com/2023/05/20/the-midnight-special-turns-70/
  37. ^ "On the Air", The Hollywood Reporter (Archive: 1930-2015); Hollywood Vol. 44, Iss. 38, (Mar 25, 1938): 4.
  38. ^ "Waves may be short, but news travels a long way", Windsor Star (1959-2010); Windsor, Ontario [Windsor, Ontario]09 Feb 1971: 38.
  39. ^ BBC News 31 October 2012: Alistair Cooke – Letter from America: Bringing two nations together Retrieved 2012-11-03
  40. ^ "Night Vision Ministries", NightVision
  41. ^ "As it Happened: The Archive Edition - The evolution of As it Happens | CBC Radio". CBC News. 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022.
  42. ^ "Your 100 Best Tunes", Radio Rewind
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