This is a list of the longest running U.S. primetime television series, ordered by the number of broadcast seasons offered by a U.S. broadcast network or cable network in prime time on the show's original run. Broadcast syndication that could have been scheduled by local stations in prime time have been omitted.
Longest lasting series
50 seasons or more
30–49 seasons
20–29 seasons
15–19 seasons
12–14 seasons
10–11 seasons
See also
- Lists of longest running U.S. shows by broadcast type:
- Lists of longest running shows internationally:
- List of shortest running shows:
Notes
- ^ Originally Hallmark Playhouse radio series, was Hallmark Television Playhouse (1951–1954)
- ^ Disney anthology television series aired under a variety of titles, including Walt Disney's Disneyland, Walt Disney Presents, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, Disney's Wonderful World, Walt Disney, The Disney Sunday Movie, and The Magical World of Disney. The current title is The Wonderful World of Disney. See the main article for a complete broadcast history
- ^ Continuation of series that aired 1962–1985 on Chile's Canal 13
- ^ Originally Masterpiece Theatre
- ^ a b Not currently on a regular schedule
- ^ Host: Tom Chapin (1985–1988), Robert Urich (1988–1995), Bob Ballard (1988–1995), Boyd Matson (1995–2003), Michael Fay (2001), Lisa Ling (2003–)
- ^ Show renamed National Geographic Ultimate Explorer, 2003–2005
- ^ Also called "48 Hours Investigates"
- ^ "48 Hours on CBS". TV Guide. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ ‘Cops Beyond The Bust’: Spike Sets Special To Mark 1,000th Episode Of ‘Cops’ Deadline Hollywood, July 26, 2017.
- ^ Became Wall Street Week with Fortune after original host was fired in 2002
- ^ Longest-running primetime animated program in the United States
- ^ Sneak peek airing December 17, 1989
- ^ Pilot taped April 4, 1966
- ^ According to MTV, 18th season begins November 22, 2006
- ^ Also known as Dateline (day of week it airs), Dateline With Stone Phillips
- ^ Also known as The Metropolitan Opera Presents
- ^ Oldest continuously running radio program, airing on WSM radio, Nashville, Tennessee
- ^ As Grand Ole Opry Live!
- ^ Longest-running game show in primetime network television; first-run syndication 1968–1975
- ^ Previously Nick News W/5 and Nick News with Linda Ellerbee
- ^ Roots, Kimberly (2018-05-10). "SVU Renewed for Season 20 at NBC". TVLine. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
- ^ Aired as Toast of the Town until 1955
- ^ Longest-running live-action hour-long prime time entertainment program in the United States. While Gunsmoke has accumulated more episodes (635), 233 of its episodes were half-hour dramas. All of Law & Order's episodes have been one hour long.
- ^ Previously E! News Daily and E! News Live
- ^ Sneak peek airing January 31, 1999
- ^ Originated on radio as Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour, 1934–1946
- ^ Originated on CBS
- ^ Reran CBS originals, 1984–1987
- ^ Rebroadcast A&E originals, 1999–2006
- ^ Longest-running live-action 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.
- ^ Sneak peek airing February 6, 2005
- ^ Venable, Malcolm (2024-04-12). "How Shonda Rhimes Celebrated the 20th Season of 'Grey's Anatomy' — And Yet Another History-Making Moment for the Hit Show". Shondaland. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Moved to NBC in 2006, at which time Monday Night Football moved from ABC to ESPN
- ^ Sunday Night Football shared with TNT, with TNT getting the first half of the season, ESPN the second half, 1990–1997
- ^ Includes Sunday Night Baseball, Wednesday Night Baseball, etc.
- ^ ESPN2 started broadcasting major league baseball games in 2002 in addition to those offered by ESPN
- ^ Includes series of specials, Jan. 1987 to May 1988
- ^ Originally The Dodge Dancing Party; first-run syndication 1971–1982; reruns have been airing since 1982 on various PBS stations
- ^ Ryon, Ruth - Hot Property Column Archived 17 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine, Los Angeles Times, March 9, 2003
- ^ Longest running live-action sitcom.
- ^ First US network series to film all its episodes in color
- ^ official end of series, although one "unofficial" episode (Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders) was shown on September 12, 1999
- ^ Pre-release date, March 4, 2022
- ^ Also known as Kraft Mystery Theatre (1958); another series of the same name ran concurrently on ABC, 1953–1955
- ^ Longest-running family drama on television, per Reuters article about 7th Heaven finale
- ^ On CBS radio 1946–1956
- ^ Originated on CBS Radio, 1947
- ^ The first series to be shown on four US broadcasting networks
- ^ Longest-running science fiction series in the United States.
- ^ Cancellation announced by Sci Fi Channel, August 21, 2006
- ^ The Alfred Hitchcock Hour 1962–1965
- ^ One episode wasn't aired on network TV, but was included in later syndication packages
- ^ 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.
- ^ Originally aired locally in Los Angeles, 1947–1950
- ^ David Lambert (April 26, 2011). "The Complete Series on DVD: Timeframe, Packaging, New Extras and Answer to 'Why Not On Blu-ray?'". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ David Lambert (April 26, 2011). "The Complete Series on DVD: Timeframe, Packaging, New Extras and Answer to 'Why Not On Blu-ray?'". TVShowsOnDVD. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
