List of longest-running American television series

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

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
76 years70Meet the Press[note 1]
(NBC News)
NBCNovember 6, 1947[1]Present3,600+Longest-running show.
75 years72CBS Evening News[note 2]
(CBS News)
CBSMay 3, 1948Present16,400+Longest-running network newscast.
74 years74Music & the Spoken Word[note 3]SyndicatedOctober 1949Present4,925(as of February 3, 2024)[2]Longest-running non-news television program, the longest-running variety show, the longest-running religious television program, and the longest-running entertainment program in American television history.
72 years69Hallmark Hall of Fame[note 4]NBCDecember 24, 1951*December 17, 1978260Longest-running television anthology program, though not broadcast on a regular schedule, with only a limited number of productions per year.
CBSNovember 14, 1979April 30, 1980
PBSFebruary 9, 1981May 6, 1981
CBSDecember 1, 1981January 29, 1989
ABCApril 30, 1989April 23, 1995
CBSDecember 10, 1995April 24, 2011
ABCNovember 27, 2011April 20, 2014
Hallmark ChannelNovember 30, 2014[3]Present
70 years2The Victory HourWTVRJanuary 13, 1952[4]1966[5]Longest-running Christian television program
WWBT1966Present
72 years70Today
(NBC News)
NBCJanuary 14, 1952Present18,000+Longest-running morning show.
70 years70Backyard FarmerNebraska Educational TelecommunicationsJune 1, 1953Present(over) 1280 as of January 2017Longest running show for home lawn and gardening (The show claims to be "The longest running locally produced program in television history."[6])
70 years70ABC World News Tonight [note 5]ABCSeptember 1953Present15,722+
69 years69The Tonight Show[note 6]NBCSeptember 27, 1954January 25, 19572,000 episodes before the Carson era.[note 7]Hosted by Steve Allen. Tonight Starring Steve Allen.
July 29, 1957March 30, 1962Hosted by Jack Paar. Tonight Starring Jack Paar.
October 1, 1962May 22, 19926,714Hosted by Johnny Carson. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
May 25, 1992May 29, 20093,775First time Hosted by Jay Leno. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
June 1, 2009January 22, 2010145 (1 not completed)Hosted by Conan O'Brien. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.
March 1, 2010February 6, 2014835[7]Second time Hosted by Jay Leno. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
February 17, 2014Present1,961 (as of April 12, 2024) [note 8]Hosted by Jimmy Fallon. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
69 years58The Wonderful World of Disney[8]ABCOctober 27, 1954June 11, 1961Anthology television series featuring wide variety of topics ranging from Disney animation to live-action and documentaries. Walt Disney was the original host from show's inception until his death in 1966. From 1991 to 1997 and since 2008, the series only airs sporadically as a special presentation a few times a year.
NBCSeptember 24, 1961August 16, 1981
CBSSeptember 26, 1981May 3, 1983
ABCFebruary 2, 1986May 22, 1988
NBCOctober 9, 1988August 26, 1990
Disney ChannelSeptember 23, 1990August 25, 1996
ABCSeptember 28, 1997December 24, 2008
December 12, 2015Present
69 years64Face the Nation
(CBS News)
CBSNovember 7, 1954Present
68 years68[9]It Is WrittenSyndicatedMarch 1, 1956[9]PresentLongest-running religious television program to broadcast in color.
67 years67The Open MindSyndicated[10]May 1956[11]PresentLongest-running public television program.
67 years64 (through 2023 season)NFL on CBSCBSSeptember 30, 1956January 23, 19946,133[needs update][citation needed]CBS originally broadcast NFL games from 1956 to its merger with the AFL in 1970. It continued to broadcast NFC regular and playoff games until 1994 when CBS lost the rights to broadcast these games to Fox. The network returned its football broadcasts by 1998 after CBS acquired the rights to broadcast AFC regular and playoff games from NBC. It also airs Super Bowl matches.
September 6, 1998Present
67 years28 [12]To Tell the TruthCBSDecember 18, 1956September 6, 1968
Syndicated19691978
19801981
NBC19901991
Syndicated20002002
ABC2016Present
66–67 years41 (2023-24)Divorce CourtSyndicated195719625,767+Broadcast in Black & White 1957–1962.
19671969
19841993
September 15, 1999PresentProduced by 20th Television.
64 years58CBS Sports SpectacularCBSJanuary 3, 1960Present
64 years64NFL on NBC[note 9]NBCOctober 22, 1939January 25, 19985,000+GrandStand was the original name of the program. NBC originally carried many NFL games including the Pro Bowl. It later carried AFL/AFC games until 1997 when NBC lost its AFC contract to CBS. NBC later resumed its NFL coverage with NBC Sunday Night Football. It currently airs a Sunday night game every week and the NFL's kick-off games, along with the Super Bowl.
August 6, 2006Present
62 years56 (through 2023 season)[13]The NFL TodayCBSSeptember 17, 1961January 23, 1994Is the pre-game show counterpart to the NFL on CBS. Originally was 15 minutes long.
September 6, 1998Present
62 years62It's AcademicWRC-TV
WJZ-TV
WVIR-TV
WETA-TV
October 7, 1961presentLongest-running game show of any type. Longest-running high school quiz show (broadcast in the Baltimore, Charlottesville, and Washington, D.C. areas only).

50–59 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
62–63 years36NASCAR on ABCABCFebruary 26, 1961August 5, 2000
ESPNMarch 10, 2007October 11, 2014
62 years62Professional Bowlers Tour[note 10]ABC[14]January 27, 1962June 21, 1997ESPN airs some of the tours on ABC.
CBS1998[note 11]1999
Fox Sports19992000
ESPN2000present
61 years61General Hospital (ABC Daytime)ABCApril 1, 1963present14,000Longest-running dramatic series (soap opera) still in production.[15]
60 years53[note 12]CBS Morning NewsCBSSeptember 2, 19631979This version of the program was replaced by CBS This Morning, and later by The Early Show. The program was on hiatus for two years, then retooled and reintroduced in 1982.
October 4, 1982present
60 years29Let's Make a DealNBCDecember 30, 1963December 27, 19683,200 [16]Originally hosted by Monty Hall. Current host is Wayne Brady.
ABCDecember 30, 1968July 9, 1976
Syndicated19711977281
19801981195
19841986340
NBC19901991128
200320033
CBS2009Present1,500+
60 years47Jeopardy!NBCMarch 30, 1964January 3, 19752,753Originally presented by Art Fleming.
SyndicatedSeptember 1974September 197539
NBCOctober 2, 1978March 2, 1979108
SyndicatedSeptember 10, 1984present7,000+ [17]Originally presented by Alex Trebek. Currently presented by Ken Jennings.
57 years57Guiding Light[note 13]
(CBS Daytime)
CBSJune 30, 1952September 18, 200915,762Longest-running dramatic series (soap opera) of any genre. Longest-running daytime drama. *While its television debut was on June 30, 1952, The Guiding Light's first incarnation was as a radio show, which premiered on January 25, 1937, giving the production a total runtime of 72 total years.
58 years58Days of Our Lives (NBC Daytime)NBCNovember 8, 1965September 9, 202214,430[18]
PeacockSeptember 12, 2022present
58 years58The 700 Club[note 14]Syndicated[19]1966present
CBN & Freeform1977present
57 years55Washington Week[note 15]NET, PBSFebruary 23, 1967presentover 2,000Longest continuous running Public Television show on PBS, having started on its predecessor NET and carrying over to PBS, along with Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Sesame Street, and others in 1970.
54 years20I've Got a SecretCBSJune 19, 1952April 3, 1967CBS 1952–1967: 680
Syn 1972–1973: 39
CBS 1976: 4
Oxygen 2000-2001: 120[20]
GSN 2006: 40
Presented by Garry Moore and Steve Allen.
SyndicatedSeptember 11, 1972September 9, 1973Presented by Steve Allen.
CBSJune 15, 1976July 6, 1976Presented by Bill Cullen.
Oxygen20002001Presented by Stephanie Miller.
GSNApril 17, 2006June 9, 2006Presented by Bil Dwyer.
54 years54As the World Turns (CBS Daytime)CBSApril 2, 1956September 17, 201013,858
56 years56NFL Films PresentsSyndicatedSeptember 17, 1967[21][22]January 26, 1997
ESPNAugust 31, 1997present
NFL NetworkNovember 4, 2003present
53 years53Sábado GiganteUnivisionAugust 8, 1962September 19, 20152,800+Longest-running imported TV show.
55 years5660 Minutes
(CBS News)
CBSSeptember 24, 1968present2500+
54 years29Scooby-Doo[note 16]CBSSeptember 13, 1969October 27, 197325 (41 including The Scooby-Doo Show episodes)Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
September 9, 1972October 27, 197324The New Scooby-Doo Movies
ABCSeptember 11, 1976December 23, 197840The Scooby-Doo Show
September 22, 1979January 5, 198016Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo
November 8, 1980December 18, 198233 (99 shorts)Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo
September 10, 1983December 1, 198426 (52 segments)The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show
September 7, 1985December 7, 198513The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo
September 10, 1988August 17, 199127 (30 segments)A Pup Named Scooby-Doo
Kids' WB (The WB)September 14, 2002July 21, 200642What's New, Scooby-Doo?
September 23, 2006March 15, 200826Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!
Cartoon NetworkApril 5, 2010April 5, 201352Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Cartoon Network/BoomerangOctober 5, 2015March 18, 201852Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!
Cartoon Network/Boomerang/HBO MaxJune 27, 2019present52Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?
54 years53Sesame StreetNETNovember 10, 1969October 2, 19704666[note 17]Longest-running children's show.[note 18] While Sesame Street remains on the PBS schedule, new episodes now premiere on HBO and become available to PBS nine months later. This also applied to HBO Max starting to Season 51 when the show moved to HBO Max.[23]
PBS Kids (PBS)October 5, 1970present
HBOJanuary 16, 2016July 11, 2020
HBO MaxNovember 12, 2020Present
54 years51Hour of PowerSyndicatedFebruary 1970present2,662 as of February 7, 2021
53 years54 (NFL seasons)Monday Night FootballABCSeptember 21, 1970December 26, 2005718 (games)Since 2016 and 2018 respectively, ABC has simulcast ESPN's coverage of its NFL Wild Card playoff game and the Pro Bowl. In 2020, ABC simulcasted three select ESPN Monday Night Football games. Starting in 2021, ABC will get expanded broadcast rights, including exclusive games, Week 18 Saturday doubleheader simulcasts, and Super Bowl rights. Per NFL Policy, all games that are broadcast via cable or satellite television on a Pay TV Network must also be made available on over-the-air television stations in each participating team's local market.
January 9, 2016Present
ESPNSeptember 11, 2006present
53 years50NBC Nightly News (NBC News)NBCAugust 3, 1970presentNBC has had an evening broadcast since 1948, starting with Camel News Caravan, lasting until 1956, when it was replaced by Nightly News' predecessor the Huntley-Brinkley Report.
53 years46Masterpiece Theatre[note 19]PBSJanuary 10, 1971present
51 yearsThe Price Is Right (CBS Daytime)[24]CBSSeptember 4, 1972present9,515 (as of End of Season 50)Longest-running game show to be broadcast nationally. Originally hosted by Bob Barker. Current Host is Drew Carey.

40–49 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
51 years51Great PerformancesPBSNovember 4, 1972present
51 years51The Young and the Restless
(CBS Daytime)
CBSMarch 26, 1973present12,854[25][26]
48 years48Day of DiscoverySyndicatedMay 5, 1968February 6, 2016
48 years34Mutual of Omaha's Wild KingdomNBCJanuary 6, 1963April 11, 1971Wild Kingdom was on hiatus 1988-2002 and ultimately was cancelled in 2011. The original host, Marlin Perkins, died in 1986.
Syndicated19711988
Animal PlanetSeptember 17, 2002May 22, 2011
47 years16The Joker's WildCBSSeptember 4, 1972June 13, 19753,026
Syndicated[note 20]September 5, 1977May 23, 1986
SyndicatedSeptember 10, 1990March 8, 1991
TBS & TNTOctober 24, 2017March 27, 2019
50 years50NovaPBSMarch 3, 1974present959 (May 24, 2023)
49 years40Wheel of FortuneSyndicatedSeptember 19, 1983present7,000+ [27]Syndicated version normally runs in the evening. 2nd longest-running game show. Hosted by Pat Sajak.
16NBCJanuary 6, 1975June 30, 1989Network version normally ran in the late morning. Originally hosted by Chuck Woolery (1975-1981), followed by Pat Sajak (1981-1989), Rolf Benirschke (1989), and Bob Goen (1989-1991).
CBSJuly 17, 1989January 11, 1991
NBCJanuary 14, 1991September 20, 1991
49 yearsThe Victory Garden[note 21]PBSApril 16, 1975present
46 years45Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon[note 22]Syndicated/ABCSeptember 4, 1966[28]August 31, 201445Annual broadcast; was broadcast as a two-hour special on ABC in 2013 and 2014.
48 years49Saturday Night Live[note 23]NBCOctober 11, 1975present965The longest-running sketch comedy show on American television, as well as the second-longest-running variety show in U.S. history.
48 years48PBS NewsHour[note 24]PBSOctober 20, 1975presentWas hosted by Robert MacNeil (1975–1995) and Jim Lehrer (1976–2011).
48 years45Good Morning AmericaABCNovember 3, 1975present9,914+
48 years48Austin City LimitsPBS1976present900
48 years48Creative Living with Sheryl BordenSyndicated1976present
48 years43Live from Lincoln CenterPBSJanuary 30, 1976present[29]251
47 years23[30]Family FeudABCJuly 12, 1976June 14, 19852,311Hosted by Richard Dawson
SyndicatedSeptember 19, 1977May 17, 1985976Hosted by Richard Dawson
CBSJuly 4, 1988March 26, 1993Hosted by Ray Combs
Syndicated1988May 26, 1995Originally hosted by Ray Combs (1988-1994), Followed by Richard Dawson (1994-1995).
SyndicatedSeptember 20, 1999PresentOriginally hosted by Louie Anderson (1999-2002), Followed by Richard Karn (2002-2006), John O’Hurley (2006-2010), and Current Host Steve Harvey (2010-).
45 yearsWide World of Sports
(ABC Sports)
ABCApril 29, 1961August 2006[note 25]
45 years45Agronsky & Co./Inside WashingtonSyndicated [31]1969December 20, 2013
45 years45One Life to Live
(ABC Daytime)
ABCJuly 15, 1968January 13, 201211,136
45 years27In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanleysyndicated1978present
46 years41Inside the NFLHBOSeptember 14, 1977February 6, 2008Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti hosted the show together 1978–2001.
ShowtimeSeptember 10, 2008present
45 years4620/20
(ABC News)
ABCJune 6, 1978present500+Long time hosts were Hugh Downs (1978–99) and Barbara Walters (1979–2004, 2013–14).
44–45 years38The Woodwright's Shop[note 26]PBS1979present481
45 years40CBS News Sunday MorningCBSJanuary 28, 1979presentOriginally hosted by Charles Kuralt (1979–1994), followed by Charles Osgood (1994–2016), and Jane Pauley (2016–present).
45 years44This Old HousePBSFebruary 20, 1979present1,136 (as of June 22, 2023)Originally hosted by Bob Vila until 1989. Norm Abrams is the only original personality still appearing on the show.
44 years43SportsCenterESPN, ESPN2, ESPNewsSeptember 7, 1979presentOver 60,000
44 years38Nightline[note 27]ABCMarch 24, 1980presentHosted by Ted Koppel (1980-2005).
43 years36Washington Journal[note 28]C-SPANOctober 7, 1980present
41 years41Romper Room/Romper Room & Friends[note 29]SyndicatedFebruary 9, 1953[32]September 1994
41 years42All My Children
(ABC Daytime)
ABCJanuary 5, 1970September 23, 2011ABC: 10,712 (television)
TOLN: 43 (internet and television)
Total: 10,755
While the show had ceased airing as a television series it was still in production for a brief time after. On April 29, 2013, the show had resumed airing now as a web series on the internet and could be seen through Hulu, iTunes and YouTube until September 2, 2013, before being confirmed as being discontinued again on November 11, 2013.
40 years40Nightly Business Report[note 30]PBSJanuary 22, 1979December 27, 201910,680
40 years40NASCAR on CBSCBSFebruary 12, 1960July 15, 2000
40 years40The Bugs Bunny ShowABC (1960-1968, 1986–2000), CBS (1968-1985)October 11, 1960September 2, 20001040 episodes, including at least 5,000 total shorts being aired, although many were re-runs.Longest-running cartoon program on broadcast television, the last non-Disney ABC Kids show, and the last non-Educational and Informational (E/I) Saturday morning cartoon on broadcast TV.

35–39 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
42 years32[note 31]The People's CourtSyndicatedSeptember 14, 1981May 17, 1993[note 32]2,484Judged by Joseph Wapner.
September 8, 1997[note 33]19991,500+Judged by Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City.
19992001Judged by Jerry Sheindlin, the husband of Judy Sheindlin of Judge Judy.
2001PresentJudged by Marilyn Milian.
42 years35Noticiero Univision[note 34]UnivisionJune 1, 1981present
42 years43Entertainment TonightSyndicatedSeptember 14, 1981present11,675 [33]Longest-running entertainment news program.
42 years43MotorWeek[note 35]PBSOctober 15, 1981present
42 years41This Week[note 36]ABCNovember 15, 1981presentOriginally hosted by David Brinkley (1981–1996), currently hosted by George Stephanopoulos (2002-2010, 2012–Present).
42 years38Late Night[note 37]NBCFebruary 1, 1982June 21, 19931,819... with David Letterman
September 13, 1993February 20, 20092,725... with Conan O'Brien
March 2, 2009February 7, 2014969... with Jimmy Fallon
February 24, 2014present1,511 (as of April 11, 2024) [34]... with Seth Meyers
42 years35The McLaughlin GroupSyndicated [35]January 1, 1982August 12, 2016The show ended its run when John McLaughlin died in 2016, but was then revived in 2018 with new host Tom Rogan.
41 years12Wild AmericaPBS/SyndicatedSeptember 14, 1982present120Hosted by Marty Stouffer.
41 yearsNaturePBSOctober 10, 1982present
40–41 years31Gilad's Bodies in MotionESPN19831994
Fox Sports19941995
Discovery Health19952004
FitTV20042011
Discovery Life20112015
JLTV2015Present
41 years37 [36]FrontlinePBSJanuary 17, 1983present813 (as of November 21, 2023)
38 years
  • 14 (NBC)
  • 3 (Syndication; 1986–89)
  • 6 (Syndication; 1998–2004)
Hollywood SquaresNBCOctober 17, 1966June 20, 19803,536NBC Daytime
January 12, 1968September 13, 1968NBC Primetime
January 4, 1969August 30, 196946Saturday morning
SyndicatedSeptember 9, 1972April 10, 1981
NBCOctober 31, 1983July 27, 1984192NBC Daytime
SyndicatedSeptember 15, 1986June 16, 1989585
September 14, 1998June 4, 20041,050
37 years37American BandstandWFIL-TVOctober 7, 1952October 7, 19573,002Hosted by Dick Clark (1956–1989).
ABCOctober 7, 1957September 5, 1987
SyndicatedSeptember 19, 1987June 4, 1988
USAApril 8, 1989October 7, 1989
39 years32Real VideosTBN, JCTVOctober 4, 1984[37]present900+
39 years29National Geographic Explorer[38]Nickelodeon19851986233
TBS19861999
CNBC19992001
MSNBC[note 38]20012005
National Geographic2005present
39 years31Grand Ole Opry Live[39]TNNApril 20, 1985August 2001
CMTAugust 20012003
GAC[40]2003present
37 years37American MastersPBSJune 22, 1986Present279 (as of January 11, 2022)[41][42]
36–37 years27NFL PrimetimeESPN1987present
36–37 years27College GameDay (football series)ESPNSeptember 1987present
35 years10ColumboNBCFebruary 20, 1968May 13, 197869Was on hiatus from 1978 to 1989, during the change in broadcast networks.
ABCFebruary 6, 1989January 30, 2003
35 years35Search for Tomorrow
(CBS & NBC Daytime)
CBSSeptember 3, 1951March 23, 19829,130
NBCMarch 26, 1982December 26, 1986
35 years35Another World
(NBC Daytime)
NBCMay 4, 1964June 25, 19998,891Longest-running continuous title sequences on television.
35 years35Bobby Jones GospelBETJanuary 27, 1980July 31, 2016
35 years35Soul TrainSyndicatedOctober 2, 1971March 25, 2006[43]1,117
35 years35Wall Street Week[note 39][note 40]PBSNovember 20, 1970June 24, 2005Since 2016, a new version of the program is now airing on the Fox Business.[note 41]

30–34 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
37 years29Biography[44]A&EApril 6, 1987[note 42]August 2006Biography was cancelled in 2012, and later revived in 2017.
Biography Channel[45]August 2006present[46]
37 years31The Bold and the Beautiful[47]CBSMarch 23, 1987present9,000[48][48]
36 years18CBS This MorningCBSNovember 30, 1987October 29, 19993,110
January 9, 2012present1,667+
36 years3648 Hours[note 43]CBSJanuary 2, 1988present991[49]
34 years34Evening at PopsPBSJuly 12, 1970August 29, 2004
33 years31Mister Rogers' NeighborhoodNETFebruary 19, 1968May 1, 1970912 (including specials)Fred Rogers died in 2003 due to a digestive cancer.
PBSFebruary 15, 1971August 31, 2001
33 years24ConcentrationNBCAugust 25, 1958March 23, 19733,770Presented by Hugh Downs and Bob Clayton.
SyndicatedSeptember 10, 1973September 8, 1978975Presented by Jack Narz.
NBCMay 4, 1987September 20, 19911,020Presented by Alex Trebek.
33 yearsFiring LineSyndicatedApril 4, 1966[50]1971Longest-running public affairs program to have a single host.
PBS1971December 26, 1999
35 years27NBA on TNTTNTOctober 30, 1988present
35 years35American ExperiencePBSOctober 1, 1988present366
35 yearsLive with Kelly and Ryan[note 44]SyndicatedSeptember 5, 1988[note 45]present
35 years34POVPBSJuly 5, 1988Present400+
35 years36Inside EditionSyndicatedJanuary 9, 1989present11,257+ (as of May 28, 2015)
35 years36CopsFOXMarch 11, 1989May 4, 20131,141Cancelled in response to national protests against the murder of George Floyd while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.[51][52] New episodes started airing on the streaming service Fox Nation in October 2021.
SpikeSeptember 14, 2013November 13, 2017
Paramount NetworkJanuary 22, 2018May 11, 2020
FOXOctober 1, 2021present
34 years34America's Funniest Home VideosABCNovember 26, 1989present787
34 years35The Simpsons[note 46]FOXDecember 17, 1989present765Longest-running animated American series, longest running American sitcom, and longest running scripted prime-time series.
32 years24CrossfireCNN1982June 3, 2005Was on hiatus from 2005 to 2013.
September 9, 2013October 15, 2014
31 years29This Week in BaseballSyndicatedApril 1, 1977September 26, 1998The program was on hiatus 1998–2000. Original version hosted by Mel Allen (1977–1996), Warner Fusselle (1996), and Ozzie Smith (1997–1998)
FOXApril 8, 2000September 24, 2011
31 years31Faith for Today[53]ABCMay 21, 19501955
Syndicated19551981
31 years31Lamp Unto My Feet[54]CBS19481979
34 years30Baseball TonightESPNMarch 19, 1990present
34 years27ESPN Major League Baseball[55]ESPN, ESPN2[note 47]April 15, 1990present
33 years33Outside the LinesESPNMay 7, 1990present
33 years19[note 48]NBA Inside StuffNBCOctober 27, 1990August 31, 2002Was on hiatus from 2006 to 2013.
ABCSeptember 7, 2002January 15, 2006
NBA TVNovember 2, 2013Present
32 years32E! News[56]E!September 1, 1991present7,500+
32 years32MaurySyndicatedSeptember 9, 1991Present5,545Presented by Maury Povich.
32 years32Reliable SourcesCNNMarch 7, 1992August 21, 2022
32 years32Dateline NBC[note 49]NBCMarch 31, 1992present1,700+
32 years29To the ContraryPBSApril 1, 1992present
32 years17Monday Night BaseballESPNApril 13, 1992present
31 years33The Real WorldMTVMay 21, 1992present614Longest-running MTV reality series. Episodes were 30 minutes long until 2008, after that each was one hour long.
31 years32WWE RawUSA NetworkJanuary 11, 1993September 18, 20001613Longest-running professional wrestling program on national television (while WCW Saturday Night ran for longer overall, the first 5 years of the program were only locally broadcast; some locally televised promotions such as Portland and Houston ran as long as 40 years).
TNN/Spike TV[57]September 25, 2000September 26, 2005
USA NetworkOctober 3, 2005present
30 years10RoseanneABCOctober 18, 1988May 22, 2018231Was on hiatus 1997–2018.
30 years11Murphy BrownCBSNovember 14, 1988December 20, 2018260Was on hiatus 1998–2018.
30 years30NASCAR on ESPNESPN, ESPN2, ABC19812002
20072014

25–29 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
29 years29Captain Kangaroo[note 50]CBSOctober 3, 1955December 8, 19846,090Bob Keeshan died in 2004.
29 years29Lou Dobbs Tonight[note 51]CNNJune 1, 1980November 11, 2009
29 years29Lilias, Yoga and You[note 52]PBS19761999500[58]
29 yearsHometimePBSNovember 1, 1986January 30, 2016
29 years29The Sports Reporters[note 53]ESPN[59]October 9, 1988May 7, 2017
29 years29The Phil Donahue Show[60]Syndicated196919965,515
29 years29The David Susskind Show[61]Syndicated19611987David Susskind died in 1987.
29 years29WCW Saturday Night[note 54]TBSDecember 25, 1971August 19, 2000
28 years28The Edge of NightCBSApril 2, 1956November 28, 19757,420
ABCDecember 1, 1975December 28, 1984
28 years29Love of LifeCBSSeptember 24, 1951February 1, 19807,315
28 years26Hee Haw[note 55]CBSJune 15, 1969February 23, 1971655
SyndicatedSeptember 18, 1971June 26, 1993
TNNNovember 23, 1996December 27, 1997
28 years28ESPN SpeedWorldESPN19792006
28 years28Mystery![note 56]PBSFebruary 5, 19802008
30 years26 [note 57]Power Rangers[note 58]FOX[note 59]August 28, 1993September 7, 2002919+[note 60]Longest-running United States Tokusatsu series.[note 61]
ABC Family[note 62]March 3, 2002August 31, 2006
Toon Disney[note 63]February 14, 2004February 12, 2009
ABC[note 64]September 14, 2002August 28, 2010
The CW[note 65]August 25, 2012January 12, 2013
Nickelodeon[note 66]February 7, 2011April 17, 2021
Nicktoons[note 67]February 11, 2011present
NetflixJune 15, 2021present
30 years27The Late ShowCBSAugust 30, 1993May 20, 20154,214[62]Hosted by David Letterman. Late Show with David Letterman.
September 8, 2015Present1,482 (as of April 18, 2024)Hosted by Stephen Colbert. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
30 years30NFL MatchupESPN, ESPN2[note 68]September 5, 1993PresentProduced by NFL Films.
30 years30Monday Night CountdownESPNSeptember 6, 1993present
30 years11The X-FilesFOXSeptember 10, 1993May 19, 2002218The program was on hiatus 2002–2016. Two new seasons have since been produced.
January 24, 2016March 21, 2018
30 years22Entertainers with Byron Allen[note 69]SyndicatedSeptember 30, 1993present
29–30 years22Kickin' It with Byron Allen[note 70]Syndicated1994present
29 yearsNFL on FoxFOXAugust 12, 1994presentFox currently holds rights to NFC matches, the NFC Playoffs as well as select Super Bowl matches since Super Bowl XXXI where it rotates with other broadcasters. It has also aired Thursday Night Football Matches from 2018 to 2022 where it shares the rights with some matches with Amazon Prime Video and the NFL Network.
29 years23Inside the Actors StudioBravoAugust 14, 1994present277
29 years30Extra[note 71]SyndicatedSeptember 5, 1994present9,054[63]
29 years30 (through 2023 season)Fox NFL SundayFOXSeptember 18, 1994present
29 years23 [note 72]The Late Late Show[note 73]CBSJanuary 9, 1995March 26, 1999777Hosted by Tom Snyder.
March 29, 1999August 27, 20041,190Hosted by Craig Kilborn.
September 20, 2004December 31, 200479Hosted by Guest Hosts.
January 3, 2005December 19, 20142,058Hosted by Craig Ferguson.
January 5, 2015March 20, 201545Hosted by Guest Hosts.
March 23, 2015present1,197[note 74]Hosted by James Corden.
29 years23Golf CentralGolf ChannelJanuary 17, 1995present
29 years29Real Sports with Bryant GumbelHBOApril 2, 1995present
28 years28Squawk BoxCNBCAugust 7, 1995present
27–28 years19A Wedding StoryTLC1996present
28 years28Private ScreeningsTCMJanuary 1, 1996presentHosted by Robert Osborne.
28 years28Fox News SundayFOX[note 75]April 28, 1996present1,462
(as of April 28, 2024)
Hosted by Tony Snow (1996-2003), Chris Wallace (2003-2021) and Shannon Bream (2022-present).
27 yearsFox Major League BaseballFOXJune 1, 1996Present
27 years25[64]The Daily ShowComedy CentralJuly 22, 1996present3,873Hosted by Craig Kilborn (1996–98), Jon Stewart (1999–2015), and Trevor Noah (2015–2022).
27 yearsAccess HollywoodSyndicatedSeptember 9, 1996present
27 years20MoneyTV with Donald BaillargeonSyndicatedOctober 1, 1996present950+
27 years27Your World with Neil CavutoFox NewsOctober 6, 1996presentHosted by Neil Cavuto.
26–27 years24My Classic CarTNN, MAVTV & Motor Trend1997present520 (as of June 27, 2020)
27 years27Antiques RoadshowPBSJanuary 9, 1997present
27 years20¡Despierta América!UnivisionApril 14, 1997present
27 years27The Lawrence Welk Show[note 76]ABCJuly 2, 1955September 4, 19711,065 (black-and-white, 1951 to September 1965; in color from September 1965 onwards to 1982)Lawrence Welk died in 1992.
Syndicated1971February 1982
27 years27The Jerry Springer ShowSyndicatedSeptember 20, 1991July 26, 20184,969
27 yearsThe World TomorrowSyndicated196719944,969
26 yearsHardball with Chris Matthews[note 77]America's Talking19941996Hosted by Chris Matthews.
CNBC19971999
MSNBC1999February 28, 2020
26 years11All ThatNickelodeonApril 16, 1994[note 78]December 17, 2020210Was on hiatus from 2005 to 2019.
26 years25Charlie RosePBSSeptember 30, 1991November 17, 2017
25 years25ArthurPBSOctober 7, 1996February 21, 2022253 (493 segments)Longest-running animated series on PBS, longest-running animated children's series on U.S. television, and third longest-running animated series on American television.
26 years26Truth or ConsequencesCBSSeptember 7, 1950 [note 79]May 1951Originated on NBC Radio 1940–1951.
NBC1952 [note 80]1952
May 18, 1954[note 81]September 24, 1965
Syndicated1966 [note 82]1974
1977 [note 83]1978
1987 [note 84]1988
25 years25What's My Line?[65]CBSFebruary 16, 1950September 3, 1967CBS: 876
Syndication: 1,320
Total: 2,196
SyndicatedSeptember 1968September 1975
25 years25Camera ThreeCBSJanuary 22, 19561979
PBS1979July 1, 1980
25 years25Sunrise SemesterCBSSeptember 9, 1957October 1, 1982800+
25 yearsInsightSyndicatedOctober 2, 1960January 21, 1985
25 years25Larry King LiveCNNJune 3, 1985December 16, 20106,120[66]King hosted Larry King Now afterwards, which was very similar.
25 years25The Oprah Winfrey ShowSyndicatedSeptember 8, 1986May 25, 20114,561[67]
25 years25Judge JudySyndicatedSeptember 16, 1996July 23, 20216,280Of the single series run court shows without cancellation/revival gaps, the longest-running reality courtroom show, hosted by Judy Sheindlin.

20–24 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
24 years24At the Movies[note 85]SyndicatedSeptember 18, 1986August 14, 2010
PBSJanuary 2011December 2011
24 years28America's Most WantedFOXFebruary 7, 1988April 21, 20121,186
LifetimeDecember 2, 2011October 12, 2012
23 yearsNick News with Linda EllerbeeNickelodeonApril 18, 1992December 15, 2015Longest-running Nickelodeon series
23 YearsHomestar RunnerHomestar Runner.com &
YouTube
January 1, 2000PresentLongest-running Internet cartoon series
23 years22Showtime at the Apollo[note 86]SyndicatedSeptember 12, 1987May 24, 20081,094Was on hiatus in 2008–2016. Three specials were aired in 2016 and 2017
FOXMarch 1, 2018May 24, 2018
23 years23Primetime
(ABC News)
ABCAugust 3, 1989May 18, 2012Originally hosted by Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer.
23 years18Death Valley DaysSyndicatedMarch 1, 1952August 1, 1975452
23 years24The Ed Sullivan Show[note 87]CBSJune 20, 1948June 6, 19711,068
23 years23The George Michael Sports Machine[note 88]NBCSeptember 2, 1984September 8, 1991George Michael died in 2009.
SyndicatedSeptember 15, 1991March 25, 2007
23 years23The Merv Griffin ShowNBCOctober 1962March 19634,855Merv Griffin died in 2007.
Syndicated19651969
CBSAugust 18, 1969February 11, 1972
Syndicated1972September 1986
23 years21Reading RainbowPBSJune 6, 1983November 10, 2006155
22 years22The Original Amateur Hour[note 89]DuMontJanuary 18, 1948October 1949
NBCOctober 1949September 1954
ABCOctober 1955June 1957
NBCJuly 1957October 1958
CBSMay 1959October 1959
ABCMarch 1960September 26, 1960
CBSOctober 2, 1960September 27, 1970
26 years27The ViewABCAugust 11, 1997present5,000[68][69][70]
26 years26South ParkComedy CentralAugust 13, 1997present327Longest-running Comedy Central series and the second longest-running animated series on American television.
26 years26Fox & FriendsFox NewsFebruary 1, 1998present
25 years39The Challenge[note 90]MTVJune 1, 1998present545
25 years20Whose Line Is It Anyway?ABCAugust 5, 1998September 4, 2004173 [note 91]
ABC Family[note 92]January 17, 2005December 15, 200746
The CWJuly 16, 2013Present108 [note 93]
25 years11Will & GraceNBCSeptember 21, 1998May 18, 2006246Show was on hiatus from 2006 to 2017.
September 28, 2017April 23, 2020
25 years24Fox College FootballFOX & Fox SportsJanuary 1, 1999Present
25 years22Family GuyFOXJanuary 31, 1999November 9, 2003424Fox's second longest-running American animated series and the fourth longest-running animated series on American television.
May 1, 2005Present
25 years26WWE SmackDownUPNApril 29, 1999September 15, 20061288
The CWSeptember 22, 2006September 26, 2008
MyNetworkTVOctober 3, 2008September 24, 2010
SyfyOctober 1, 2010December 31, 2015
USAJanuary 7, 2016[71][72]September 24, 2019
FOXOctober 4, 2019Present
24 years14SpongeBob SquarePantsNickelodeonMay 1, 1999Present299Longest-running Nickelodeon series from the 90s, longest-running Nickelodeon animated series, the first and (so far) only Nicktoon to go past ten seasons, the second longest-running animated children's show on U.S. television, and the fifth longest-running animated series on U.S. television.
24 years21Independent LensPBSAugust 9, 1999Present405
24 years19[73]Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?[74]ABCAugust 16, 1999June 27, 2002
  • ABC: 388[74]
  • Syndication: 3,010
Although Millionaire has multiple versions known around the world, the American version is the longest running.
SyndicatedSeptember 16, 2002Present
ABCApril 8, 2020Present
24 years16Early TodayNBCSeptember 9, 1999PresentLead in to the Today show.
24 years24Judge MathisSyndicatedSeptember 13, 1999PresentOf the court shows with a continuous, single series run, longest-running reality court show that is currently still in production, hosted by Greg Mathis.
24 years24Family Feud
(second revival)
SyndicatedSeptember 20, 1999Present2,390+Original series ran from 1976 to 1985 (on ABC and in syndication); an earlier revival aired from 1988 to 1995 (on CBS from 1988 to 1993 and in syndication from 1988 to 1995).
24 years25Law & Order: Special Victims UnitNBCSeptember 20, 1999Present548The longest running currently-running scripted non-animated U.S. prime-time television series; longest running television spinoff.
23 years19 (US)Secrets of the DeadPBSMay 15, 2000Present96 (US)
23 years46Survivor
(U.S. series)
CBSMay 31, 2000Present670Features two seasons per year.
23 years21Big Brother
(U.S. series)
CBSJuly 5, 2000present719[note 94]Big Brother has multiple versions known around the world; the U.S. version is the second-longest-running. Episode count also includes one Celebrity Edition.
23 years12Rick Steves' EuropePBSSeptember 3, 2000Present151Hosted by travel writer Rick Steves.
23 years12Curb Your EnthusiasmHBOOctober 15, 2000April 7, 2024120Longest-running scripted HBO program.
23 yearsCheatersSyndicatedOctober 21, 2000Present
22–23 yearsThe EssentialsTCM2001Present
23 yearsNASCAR on FoxFOXFebruary 11, 2001Present
21 years21The O'Reilly Factor[note 95]Fox NewsOctober 6, 1996April 21, 2017Final three episodes (April 19–21, 2017) were simply titled The Factor, with hosts Dana Perino (April 19–20) and Greg Gutfeld (April 21).
21 years21Issues and Answers[note 96]ABC19601981
21 years21Mike Douglas ShowSyndicated196119824,017Mike Douglas died in 2006.
21 years21Style with Elsa KlenschCNNJune 1, 1980January 2001
21 years21Cookin' CheapPBS1981October 2002
21 years21The New Yankee WorkshopPBSJanuary 1988June 27, 2009284
21 years21Sneak Previews[note 97]PBS19751996Had been hosted by:
Roger Ebert (1975–1982),
Gene Siskel (1975–1982),
Neal Gabler (1982–1985),
Jeffrey Lyons (1982–1996),
and Michael Medved (1985–1996).
20 years20The Red Skelton ShowNBCSeptember 30, 1951June 21, 1953672
CBSSeptember 22, 1953June 23, 1970
NBCSeptember 14, 1970August 29, 1971
20 years31 [75]For Your HomePBS19962016
21 years21Modern MarvelsHistory ChannelJanuary 1, 1995April 11, 2015691
20 years21NCISCBSSeptember 23, 2003present465
20 years20Gunsmoke[note 98]CBSSeptember 10, 1955September 1, 1975635Tied longest-running prime-time drama.
23 years23Law & OrderNBCSeptember 13, 1990May 24, 2010498
February 24, 2022present
20 years20The Secret StormCBSFebruary 1, 1954February 8, 19745,195
20 years20Investigative ReportsA&ESeptember 27, 19912011[76]Hosted by Bill Kurtis.
20 years20Faith 20Syndicated19771997
20 years20The DoctorsNBCApril 1, 1963December 31, 19825,155
20 years20Evans and Novak[note 99]CNNSeptember 1982November 9, 2002Originally hosted by Rowland Evans and Robert Novak; later joined by Al Hunt and Mark Shields.

15–19 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
22 years28The BachelorABCMarch 25, 2002Present297
27–28 years17E! True Hollywood StoryE!1996present501The program has been on hiatus since 2014, but is expected to return.[77]
13 years13Gardening by the YardHGTV19962009
15 years15SupernaturalThe WBSeptember 13, 2005May 4, 2006327
The CWSeptember 28, 2006November 19, 2020
11 years11Denise Austin's Daily WorkoutESPN2 & Lifetime19972008Was hosted by Denise Austin.
18 years22Ben 10Cartoon NetworkDecember 27, 2005April 15, 200849Ben 10 (2005)
April 18, 2008March 26, 201046Ben 10: Alien Force
April 23, 2010March 31, 201252Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
September 22, 2012November 14, 201480Ben 10: Omniverse
April 10, 2017April 11, 2021166Ben 10 (2017)
19 years19LassieCBSSeptember 12, 1954May 1971591
SyndicatedSeptember 1971March 24, 1973
19 years19The Porter Wagoner ShowSyndicated19601979
19 years19Computer ChroniclesPBS1983June 25, 2002Was presented by Stewart Cheifet.
19 years19Friday Night Videos[note 100]NBCJuly 29, 1983May 24, 2002
19 years19ESPN Sunday Night Football[note 101]ESPNNovember 8, 1987[note 102]January 1, 2006
18 years18Art Linkletter's House Party[note 103]CBSSeptember 1, 1952September 5, 1969Was hosted by Art Linkletter.
NBCDecember 29, 1969September 25, 1970
18 years18NASCAR on TBSTBSFebruary 27, 1983October 8, 2000
15 years15WWF SuperstarsSyndicatedSeptember 6, 19861996924
USA19962000
TNN[note 104]2000August 2001
22 years14CyberchasePBSJanuary 21, 2002present140Second longest running PBS animated show and seventh longest-running American animated series.
17 years17NBA on CBSCBSOctober 20, 1973June 14, 1990
17 years17Showbiz TodayCNNOctober 29, 19842001
16 years16USA Tuesday Night FightsUSAMarch 30, 1982August 25, 1998
16 years5Happy Tree FriendsG4 & YouTubeDecember 24, 1999December 22, 2016194
17 years17Capital GangCNNSeptember 7, 19882005
17 years17The Montel Williams ShowSyndicatedSeptember 30, 1991May 16, 20084,325Was hosted by Montel Williams.
16 years16MTV UnpluggedMTVNovember 26, 1989March 2, 2007[note 105]108
16 years16BooknotesC-SPANApril 2, 1989December 5, 2004801Had been presented by Brian Lamb. The program lead to Book TV becoming regular weekend programming on C-SPAN2.
20 years19The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSyndicatedSeptember 8, 2003May 28, 20223,294Hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.
16 years16Fight Back! with David HorowitzSyndicatedSeptember 20, 19761992582 (including California/Consumer Buyline)Was hosted by David Horowitz.
16 years14Forensic FilesTLC & TruTVApril 23, 1996June 17, 2011406, including six hour-long specials
16 years14The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietABCOctober 3, 1952April 23, 1966435
22 years24America's Test KitchenSyndicatedAugust 4, 2001Present597
16 years10The Fairly OddParentsNickelodeonMarch 30, 2001November 25, 2006172 (294 segments)Longest-running Nickelodeon animated series from the 2000s and the ninth longest-running American animated series.
February 18, 2008July 26, 2017
15 years15Jack Hanna's Animal AdventuresSyndicatedOctober 2, 1993May 24, 2008Was hosted by Jack Hanna.
15 years16Sportsworld[note 106]NBC19781992
18 years14Barney & Friends[note 107]PBSApril 6, 1992November 2, 2010268
19 years16Ghost HuntersSyfyOctober 6, 2004Present251 (+ 12 specials not included)The program was on hiatus 2016–2019.
15 years15The Jack Benny ProgramCBSOctober 28, 1950September 15, 1964260Starred Jack Benny.
NBCSeptember 25, 1964April 16, 1965
15 years15That Good Ole Nashville MusicSyndicated19701985
15 years15Scientific American FrontiersPBSOctober 3, 1990April 13, 200597
15 years15Newton's ApplePBSOctober 15, 1983October 31, 1999195
15 years15ERNBCSeptember 19, 1994April 2, 2009331
15 years15CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCBSOctober 6, 2000September 27, 2015337
22 years36The Amazing Race
(U.S. series)
CBSSeptember 5, 2001Present415Two seasons per year.
22 years15Don Francisco PresentaUnivisionOctober 10, 2001January 30, 2012
22 years15BET's Top 25BETSeptember 22, 2001Present
17 years18Last Call with Carson DalyNBCJanuary 8, 2002May 24, 20192,000[78]Hosted by Carson Daly.
22 years22Closing BellCNBCFebruary 4, 2002Present
21 years22Real Time with Bill MaherHBOFebruary 21, 2003Present645 (as of December 15, 2023)Hosted by Bill Maher.
19–20 years19–20Morning Joe First LookMSNBC2004Present
19 yearsSallySyndicatedOctober 17, 1983May 24, 2002Was hosted by Sally Jessy Raphael.
13 years15The ApprenticeNBCJanuary 8, 2004February 13, 2017192The first 14 seasons were presented by Donald Trump.
16 years20Keeping Up with the KardashiansE!October 14, 2007June 20, 2021280 + 6 specials
19 years23The First 48A&EJune 3, 2004Present465
13 years15Storage WarsA&EDecember 1, 2010Present339
17 years17The Dating GameABC DaytimeDecember 20, 1965July 6, 1973Hosted by Jim Lange.
ABC PrimetimeOctober 6, 1966January 17, 1970
SyndicatedSeptember 10, 1973September 1974
SyndicatedSeptember 4, 1978September 1980
SyndicatedSeptember 15, 1986September 8, 1989Hosted by Elaine Joyce (1986–1987) & Jeff MacGregor (1987–1989).
SyndicatedSeptember 9, 1996September 1999Hosted by Brad Sherwood Brad Sherwood & Chuck Woolery (1997–1999).

10–14 years

LengthNumber of seasonsSeriesNetworkFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of episodesNotes
14 years15On the RecordFox NewsFebruary 12, 2002September 6, 2016...with Greta Van Susteren
September 7, 2016November 11, 2016...with Brit Hume
14 years13Ryan's HopeABCJuly 7, 1975January 13, 19893,515
14 years5Davey and GoliathSyndicatedFebruary 25, 1961June 29, 197573 (including specials)
11 years17Elmo's WorldPBSNovember 16, 1998November 10, 200964 (+ 3 specials) (original run)
82 (revival)
14 years15An Evening at the ImprovA&EFebruary 3, 1982January 1, 1996
14 years15Annoying OrangeYouTubeOctober 9, 2009present788
14 years17[note 108]MythBustersDiscovery & TLCJanuary 23, 2003March 5, 2016296
11 years7Star Wars: The Clone WarsCartoon NetworkOctober 3, 2008March 2, 2013108
NetflixMarch 7, 201413
Disney+February 21, 2020May 4, 202012
13 years14Bob's BurgersFoxJanuary 9, 2011present272
13 years6Bubble GuppiesNick Jr. ChannelJanuary 24, 2011June 30, 2023129
13 years6TuTiTuYouTubeJuly 27, 2010present
25 years8
FuturamaFOXMarch 28, 1999August 10, 2003150
Comedy CentralMarch 23, 2008September 4, 2013
Hulu, Disney+July 24, 2023present
7 years8Grim & EvilCartoon NetworkAugust 24, 2001October 18, 200213
June 13, 2003November 9, 200771The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
July 11, 2003October 22, 20049Evil Con Carne
October 12, 2008Underfist: Halloween Bash
18 years8Dora the ExplorerNickelodeonAugust 14, 2000June 5, 2014177Third longest-running Nickelodeon series, the ninth longest-running animated U.S. series, and the longest-running Nick Jr. series.
The program was on hiatus from 2014 to 2019.
July 7, 2019August 9, 2019
14 years14Watch Mr. WizardNBCMay 26, 1951June 27, 1965547Don Herbert was Mr. Wizard.
14 years14The Jack LaLanne ShowSyndicated19561970
14 years10Adventure TimeCartoon NetworkApril 5, 2010September 3, 2018283
HBO MaxJune 25, 2020September 2, 20214Distant Lands specials
12 years10The Amazing World of GumballCartoon NetworkMay 3, 2011June 24, 2019240
December 14, 2019present14Darwin's Yearbook and The Gumball Chronicles specials
10 years7Mickey MouseDisney ChannelJune 28, 2013July 20, 201994 (+ 2 special episodes)Longest-running Disney animated series from the 2010s
Disney+November 18, 2020July 28, 202325 (20 shorts + 5 specials)Continued with The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse
7 years3The Penguins of MadagascarNickelodeonNovember 28, 2008November 10, 2012149Longest-running animated series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television.
NicktoonsDecember 24, 2013December 19, 2015
14 years14Bonanza[note 109]NBCSeptember 12, 1959January 16, 1973431
14 years14Knots LandingCBSDecember 27, 1979May 13, 1993344
14 years14The Bugs Bunny and Tweety ShowABCSeptember 13, 1986September 2, 2000387+
16 years16Criminal MindsCBSSeptember 22, 2005February 19, 2020334
12 years12Marty Stouffer's Wild AmericaPBS19821994120
14 years14Speed WeekESPN19831997
15 years15Video SoulBETJune 26, 1981September 1996
14 years14MADtvFOXOctober 14, 1995May 16, 2009321Longest running rival sketch show to Saturday Night Live; longest-running Fox sketch show.
14 years14X-PlayG4July 4, 1998January 23, 2013
13 years14NASCAR on TNTTNTJuly 22, 2001July 13, 2014
22 years14Illegal KnowledgeAccess TucsonMarch 24, 2002present66+
21 years14Barefoot ContessaFood NetworkNovember 30, 2002present275
21 years22American IdolFOXJune 11, 2002April 7, 2016695
ABCMarch 11, 2018present
21 years21Shepard Smith ReportingFox NewsAugust 2002October 11, 2019Hosted by Shepard Smith. Originally titled Studio B with Shepard Smith.
21 years21The Daily BuzzSyndicated, The CW PlusSeptember 16, 2002present
21 years21Dr. PhilSyndicatedSeptember 16, 2002present3,505[79]Hosted by Phil McGraw.
21 years21Around the HornESPNNovember 4, 2002Present4,491 (as of 2022)[80]Currently moderated by Tony Reali.
21 years21NBA CountdownESPNDecember 25, 2002present
21 years21NBA on ESPNESPN & ABCDecember 25, 2002presentSometimes broadcast on ABC as NBA on ABC.
21 years20The BacheloretteABCJanuary 8, 2003Present224
21 years21Jimmy Kimmel Live!ABCJanuary 26, 2003Present3,588 (as of January 26, 2023)[81][82]Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
15 years7The Venture Bros.Adult SwimFebruary 16, 2003October 7, 2018[83]81 (+1 pilot and 4 specials)
13 years16Good EatsFood NetworkJuly 7, 1999April 29, 2010256
Cooking ChannelMay 27, 2010February 10, 2012
13 years13Howdy DoodyNBCDecember 27, 1947September 24, 1960Was in Black & White until 1956, and color thereafter.
13 years14Armstrong Circle TheatreNBCJune 6, 1950June 1957370
CBSOctober 1957August 28, 1963
13 yearsThe 20th Century[note 110]CBSOctober 20, 1957January 4, 1970Was hosted by Walter Cronkite.
9 years4Bear in the Big Blue HouseDisney ChannelOctober 20, 1997April 28, 2006118
13 years8Fat Albert and the Cosby KidsCBSSeptember 9, 1972November 13, 1982110 + 5 specialsPresented by Bill Cosby.
SyndicatedSeptember 1, 1984August 10, 1985
13 years14DallasCBSApril 2, 1978May 3, 1991357
13 years13PM Magazine[note 111]SyndicatedSeptember 1978August 30, 1991
13 years13LaterNBCAugust 22, 1988January 18, 2001Originally hosted by Bob Costas.
15 years16Unsolved MysteriesNBCJanuary 20, 1987[note 112]September 5, 1997602
CBSNovember 13, 1997June 11, 1999
LifetimeJuly 2, 2001September 20, 2002
Spike TV[84]October 13, 2008April 27, 2010
13 years13Tim RussertCNBC19942008
13 years13King of the HillFOXJanuary 12, 1997May 6, 2010 [note 113]259Third longest running Fox animated series.
13 years13Hannity & ColmesFox NewsOctober 6, 1996January 9, 2009
13 years9RugratsNickelodeonAugust 11, 1991August 1, 2004 (2004-08-01)[85]172 (327 segments)
15 years24America's Next Top ModelUPNMay 20, 2003May 17, 200672
The CWSeptember 20, 2006December 4, 2015316
VH1December 8, 2016present30
12 years13Road RulesMTVJuly 19, 1995May 9, 2007
11 years12NASCAR on SpeedSpeedFebruary 11, 2002August 17, 2013
13 years13Star Search[note 114]SyndicatedSeptember 10, 1983May 20, 1995Originally presented by Ed McMahon.
CBS2003April 2004
12 years12American Sports CavalcadeTNN19831995
12 years31The Joy of PaintingPBSJanuary 11, 1983May 17, 1994403Starred Bob Ross.
12 years12CBS ReportsCBSOctober 27, 1959September 7, 1971
12 years12My Three SonsABCSeptember 29, 1960September 2, 1965380
CBSSeptember 16, 1965August 24, 1972
12 years12NYPD BlueABCSeptember 21, 1993March 1, 2005261
12 years12Murder, She WroteCBSSeptember 30, 1984May 19, 1996264 (+ 4 TV movies)
12 years12Hawaii Five-O (original series)CBSSeptember 26, 1968April 26, 1980281
12 years12LovingABCJune 26, 1983November 10, 19953,169[86]
12 years12Lifestyles of the Rich and FamousSyndicatedJanuary 1984September 1996
12 years25LockupMSNBCJune 4, 2005February 11, 2017237
12 years12House of StyleMTVJanuary 1, 19892000
12 years12The Jenny Jones ShowSyndicatedSeptember 16, 1991September 12, 20032,000+
12 years12Room by RoomHGTVDecember 31, 19942006[note 115]
12 years12NBA on NBCNBC19902002
19 years20American Dad!FOXFebruary 6, 2005September 21, 2014366Fox's third longest-running animated series and second longest-running Seth MacFarlane show.
TBSOctober 20, 2014present
19 years11Robot ChickenAdult SwimFebruary 20, 2005April 11,

2022

220 (and 11 specials)
19 years25InterventionA&EMarch 6, 2005Present338
19 years13Iron Chef AmericaFood NetworkMarch 6, 2005Present205
19 years20Grey's AnatomyABCMarch 27, 2005present425
19 years19Deadliest CatchDiscoveryApril 12, 2005Present331
18 years22Hell's KitchenFOXMay 30, 2005present346
18 years32Dancing with the StarsABCJune 1, 2005present492
18 years14Food Network StarFood NetworkJune 5, 2005Present75
18 years18So You Think You Can DanceFOXJuly 20, 2005Present314
18 years16It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaFXAugust 4, 2005December 20, 2012170The longest running U.S. live-action sitcom.
FXXSeptember 4, 2013present
18 years13SquidbilliesAdult SwimOctober 16, 2005December 13, 2021132
18 years10[87]Cash CabDiscoveryDecember 5, 2005Present466[87]Was on Hiatus 2012–2017.
18 years21Top ChefBravoMarch 8, 2006Present303
18 years17The Real Housewives of Orange CountyBravoMarch 21, 2006Present308Part of The Real Housewives franchise.
17 years18America's Got TalentNBCJune 21, 2006Present440
17 years14Million Dollar Listing Los AngelesBravoAugust 29, 2006Present156
17 years15Curious GeorgePBS KidsSeptember 4, 2006April 1, 2015
Family Jr.September 3, 2018February 21, 2020
PeacockJuly 15, 2020March 17, 2022
17 years17Rachael RaySyndicatedSeptember 18, 2006July 28, 20232,941[88]Hosted by Rachael Ray.
17 years13Bizarre Foods with Andrew ZimmernTravel ChannelNovember 1, 2006present147
17 years47Diners, Drive-Ins and DivesFood NetworkApril 23, 2007Present419[89]
16 years15American GreedCNBCJune 21, 2007Present222 (& 3 specials)
16 years11Flipping OutBravoJuly 31, 20072018108
16 years17The Steve Wilkos ShowSyndicatedSeptember 10, 2007Present2,200+Hosted by Steve Wilkos.
16 years17What Would You Do?ABCFebruary 26, 2008Present
16 years14The Real Housewives of New York CityBravoMarch 4, 2008Present274Part of The Real Housewives franchise.
15 years13The Wendy Williams ShowSyndicatedJuly 14, 2008June 17, 20221500+Hosted by Wendy Williams.
15 years15The Real Housewives of AtlantaBravoOctober 7, 2008Present320Part of The Real Housewives franchise.
15 years55ChoppedFood NetworkJanuary 13, 2009Present698 + 39 specials
15 years16RuPaul's Drag RaceVH1February 2, 2009Present223Hosted by RuPaul
15 years20Ancient AliensHistoryMarch 8, 2009Present250
14 years21Pawn StarsHistoryJuly 19, 2009Present675
14 years15Shark TankABCAugust 9, 2009Present338
14 years12ArcherFXSeptember 17, 2009June 2, 2016
FXXApril 5, 2017December 17, 2023
14 years14NCIS: Los AngelesCBSSeptember 22, 2009May 21, 2023323
14 years15American Ninja WarriorNBCDecember 12, 2009Present223[90]
14 years27Worst Cooks in AmericaFood NetworkJanuary 3, 2010Present198
14 years24American PickersHistoryJanuary 18, 2010Present376
13 years14Swamp PeopleHistoryAugust 22, 2010Present244
12 years12Two and a Half MenCBSSeptember 22, 2003February 19, 2015262
11 years11The Chris Matthews ShowSyndicatedSeptember 22, 2002July 21, 2013Was hosted by Chris Matthews.
11 years11Kraft Television Theatre[note 116]NBCMay 7, 1947October 1, 1958650
11 years11Homes Across America [note 117]HGTVDecember 1994October 12, 2005
11 years11The Voice of FirestoneNBCSeptember 5, 1949June 1954Was previously on NBC radio.
ABCJune 1954June 1959
ABCSeptember 1962June 16, 1963
11 years11You Bet Your LifeNBCOctober 5, 1950June 29, 1961529 + 1 unairedWas presented by Groucho Marx. Previously was on multiple radio networks.
11 years11The Andy Williams ShowCBS19571959Starred Andy Williams.
NBC19621971
11 years12Tosh.0Comedy CentralJune 4, 2009November 24, 2020301
11 years11Beat the Clock (original series)[note 118]CBSMarch 23, 1950September 12, 1958
ABCOctober 13, 1958January 30, 1961
11 yearsThe General Electric College Bowl[note 119]CBSJanuary 4, 19591963
NBC1963June 14, 1970
11 years11The Wilburn Brothers ShowSyndicated [91]19631974354
11 years11The Carol Burnett ShowCBSSeptember 11, 1967March 29, 1978279Starred Carol Burnett.
11 years11Happening NowFox NewsNovember 5, 2007June 8, 2018
10 years3Wonder Pets!NickelodeonMarch 3, 2006September 3, 2016
  • Shorts: 2
  • Full-length episodes: 62
[92]
Fifth longest-running Nickelodeon show and second longest-running Nick Jr. series.
11 years11M*A*S*HCBSSeptember 17, 1972February 28, 1983256
11 years11The Howard Stern ShowE!June 18, 1994July 8, 2005Hosted by Howard Stern.
11 years11GeraldoSyndicated19871998Last two seasons aired as The Geraldo Rivera Show.
11 years11Love ConnectionSyndicatedSeptember 19, 1983July 1, 19942,425
11 years11 (all episodes filmed in black-and-white)The Danny Thomas ShowABC[note 120]September 29, 1953July 1957344
CBS[note 121]September 1957September 14, 1964
11 years11Talk SoupE!January 7, 1991May 17, 2002
11 years11Martha Stewart LivingSyndicatedSeptember 19932004The very similar The Martha Stewart Show aired 2005–2012.
11 years5The Crocodile HunterAnimal PlanetOctober 25, 1996September 4, 200778 (including pilot and 13 specials)
Longest-running Animal Planet series.
11 years8ToonHeadsCartoon NetworkOctober 2, 1992July 1, 2001102 (2 unaired)
Adult SwimNovember 4, 2001November 23, 2003
11 yearsRicki LakeSyndicatedSeptember 13, 1993May 21, 2004Was hosted by Ricki Lake.
11 years117th Heaven[93]The WBAugust 26, 1996May 8, 2006243
The CWSeptember 25, 2006May 13, 2007[note 122]
11 years11Imus in the Morning[note 123]MSNBCSeptember 2, 1996April 11, 2007Was hosted by Don Imus.
11 years11Fox News LiveFox NewsOctober 6, 1996February 24, 2008
11 years11The JeffersonsCBSJanuary 18, 1975July 23, 1985253
11 years11Paula's Home CookingFood Network20022013135+
10 years11Married... with ChildrenFOXApril 5, 1987June 9, 1997259
10 years11Happy DaysABCJanuary 15, 1974September 24, 1984255
10 years10Between The LionsPBSApril 3, 2000November 22, 2010130
20–21 years16NFL Total AccessNFL Network2003present297
12 years12BonesFOXSeptember 13, 2005March 28, 2017246
11 years12The Big Bang TheoryCBSSeptember 24, 2007May 16, 2019279
11 years17Bad Girls ClubOxygenDecember 5, 2006May 2, 2017275
14 years11Space Ghost Coast to CoastCartoon NetworkApril 15, 1994July 22, 200180
Adult SwimSeptember 2, 2001April 12, 200413
GameTapApril 12, 2006May 31, 200817
11 years12Intimate PortraitLifetimeJanuary 3, 1994October 3, 2005271
10 years10American MorningCNNSeptember 12, 2001December 30, 20112,688
10 years10Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts[note 124]CBSDecember 6, 1948January 1, 1958Starred Arthur Godfrey.
10 years10Arthur Godfrey and His FriendsCBSJanuary 12, 1949April 28, 1959
20 years20Total Request LiveMTVSeptember 14, 1998November 16, 20082,254
October 2, 2017November 2018
10 years5Mickey Mouse ClubhousePlayhouse DisneyMay 5, 2006January 3, 201179Longest-running Disney animated series from 2000s
Disney JuniorFebruary 14, 2011November 6, 201646
9 years6Blue's Clues[94]NickelodeonSeptember 8, 1996August 6, 2006143[95]Sixth longest-running Nickelodeon show and third longest-running Nick Jr. series.
10 years10Studio One[note 125]CBSNovember 7, 1948September 29, 1958467
10 years10Pantomime Quiz[note 126]CBSOctober 4, 1949August 28, 1951
NBCJanuary 2, 1952March 26, 1952
CBSJuly 4, 1952September 1952
CBSJuly 1953August 28, 1953
DuMontOctober 20, 1953April 13, 1954
CBSJuly 9, 1954August 27, 1954
ABCJanuary 1955March 1955
CBSJuly 8, 1955September 6, 1957
ABCApril 1958September 1958
ABCJanuary 1959September 1959
10 years10The Arthur Murray PartyABCJuly 20, 1950September 1950The first series to be shown on four U.S. broadcasting networks
DuMontOctober 1950March 1951
ABCApril 1951May 1952
CBSJuly 1952August 1952
DuMontOctober 1952April 1953
CBSJune 1953October 1953
NBCOctober 1953September 1955
CBSApril 1956September 1956
NBCJuly 1957September 6, 1960
10 years10Smilin' Ed's Gang[note 127]NBCAugust 26, 1950May 19, 1951
CBSAugust 11, 1951April 11, 1953
ABCAugust 22, 1953April 23, 1955
CBSAugust 20, 1955December 31, 1960
10 years10A Current AffairSyndicatedJuly 28, 1986August 30, 1996
11 years11CheersNBCSeptember 30, 1982May 20, 1993275 (including three double-length episodes and a triple-length finale)
11 years11FrasierNBCSeptember 16, 1993May 13, 2004264
10 years10Getting FitESPN19871997
10 years10American ChopperDiscovery & TLCSeptember 29, 2002December 17, 2012233
10 years10FriendsNBCSeptember 22, 1994May 6, 2004236
10 years10Beverly Hills, 90210FOXOctober 4, 1990May 17, 2000293
10 years10NASCAR on TNNTNN19912000
10 years10Stargate SG-1Showtime & SyfyJuly 27, 1997March 13, 2007214 + 2 DVD filmsSpawned two direct-to-DVD movies, Stargate: Continuum and Stargate: The Ark of Truth. Syfy's longest running series.
10 years10The French ChefPBSFebruary 11, 1963February 11, 1973201Starred Julia Child.
8 years10Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesCBSDecember 28, 1987November 2, 1996193Spawn many TV series spin-offs including its most recent series.
10 years6Ed, Edd n EddyCartoon NetworkJanuary 4, 1999November 8, 200969 (130 segments)First longest-running Cartoon Network original series
Longest-running Cartoon Network original series from the 90s
Longest-running Cartoon Cartoon
10 years4The BoondocksAdult SwimNovember 6, 2005June 23, 201455
10 years10SmallvilleThe WBOctober 16, 2001May 11, 2006217[96][96]
The CWSeptember 28, 2006May 13, 2011
10 years10Law & Order: Criminal IntentNBC & USASeptember 30, 2001June 26, 2011195Moved to USA in 2007.
10 years10JAGCBSSeptember 23, 1995April 29, 2005227
10 years10CSI: MiamiCBSSeptember 23, 2002April 8, 2012232
11 years11Modern FamilyABCSeptember 23, 2009April 8, 2020250 (+1 special)
10 years10The United States Steel HourABC & CBSOctober 27, 1953June 12, 1963253Moved to CBS in 1955.
11 years11BaywatchNBCSeptember 22, 1989April 6, 1990241
SyndicatedSeptember 23, 1991May 14, 2001
13 years25The VoiceNBCApril 26, 2011Present603
10 years10General Electric TheaterCBSFebruary 1, 1953June 3, 1962302Was presented by Ronald Reagan.
11 years8Teen Titans Go!Cartoon NetworkApril 23, 2013Present397Second longest-running Cartoon Network original series
Longest-running Cartoon Network original series from the 2010s
10 years35Beat Bobby FlayFood NetworkAugust 24, 2013Present449Hosted by Bobby Flay.
10 years34Guy's Grocery GamesFood NetworkOctober 20, 2013Present256
10 years7Rick and MortyAdult SwimDecember 2, 2013Present70
10 years11Ice Road TruckersHistoryJune 17, 2007November 9, 2017138
15 years15Fareed Zakaria GPSCNNJune 1, 2008Present796
(as of September 17, 2023)
Hosted by Fareed Zakaria.
10 years10USA Up All NightUSAJanuary 7, 1989March 7, 1998900+
35 years13Mystery Science Theater 3000KTMA-TVNovember 24, 19881989230Was on Hiatus from 1999 to 2017.
Comedy Channel19891991
Comedy Central19911996
Syfy19971999
NetflixApril 14, 2017November 22, 2018
GizmoplexMarch 4, 2022Present
20 years20Anderson Cooper 360°CNNSeptember 8, 2003Present1,521Hosted by Anderson Cooper.
10 years10Nashville NowTNNMarch 8, 1983October 15, 1993
10 years11 seasonsShameless (US TV series)ShowtimeJanuary 9, 2011April 11, 2021134Showtime's longest-running original scripted series

See also

Notes

References

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.