50 longest-running TV series

- Total length: 40 years
- Networks: ABC, CBS
- First broadcast: Oct. 11, 1960
- Final broadcast: Sept. 2, 2000

Bugs Bunny is not only the most well-known of the "Looney Tunes" characters—he's among the most celebrated cartoon characters of all time. His stardom was enough to carry an anthology variety show, running as a hallmark of Saturday morning cartoons, for nearly 40 years straight. "The Bugs Bunny Show" is the longest-running cartoon show on broadcast television.

- Total length: 40 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: Feb. 12, 1960
- Final broadcast: July 15, 2000

NASCAR ruled the airwaves at CBS for nearly 40 years. The network debuted the first televised NASCAR event in 1960, and viewers tuned in for decades to watch coverage of the popular Winston Cup, Craftsman Truck, and Busch Series races. NASCAR cashed in on its massive popularity in the late '90s by negotiating lucrative broadcasting deals with a number of channels, and CBS' monopoly on the sport ended in 2000. As of 2024, NASCAR fans can tune in on various cable networks, as well as watch livestreams on streaming platforms including Peacock and Hulu + Live TV.

- Total length: 41 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: Jan. 5, 1970
- Final broadcast: Sept. 23, 2011

Writer Agnes Nixon developed "All My Children" in part as a platform to discuss social issues. The soap opera tackled taboos that other shows were averse to covering, including the Vietnam War in the 1970s and homosexuality in the 1980s. Production company Prospect Park attempted but failed to revive the show for online distribution after its 2011 cancellation. In 2020, the network announced that a spinoff series called "Pine Valley" was in the works—there isn't a premiere date for it yet, but according to longtime star Susan Lucci, executive producers Kelly Ripa (who got her start on the soap) and Mark Consuelos are still working on it, as of December 2023.

- Total length: 41 years
- Network: Syndicated
- First broadcast: Feb. 9, 1953
- Final broadcast: Sept. 1, 1994

"Romper Room" was one of the earliest programs in the growing genre of children's television, featuring a hostess who led a group of children in several games and activities to teach them about morals, manners, and etiquette. While "Romper Room" was broadcast nationally, there were also several local and international versions of the show.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: 1976
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"Austin City Limits" is a PBS stalwart featuring performances by Austin, Texas, acts. The show regularly presents music genres such as Texas blues, rock 'n' roll, and country, but has also broadened its scope to include other national and international types of music as well. In 2002, Austin City Limits began an annual music festival, which has featured artists ranging from Foo Fighters to Radiohead. The show made the claim of being the longest-running music television series in American history.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: Syndicated
- First broadcast: 1976
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Sheryl Borden hosts this local magazine-formatted crafts show, giving tips about cooking, sewing, and other crafts. Airing since 1976, "Creative Living" is carried by over 118 PBS stations throughout most of the United States and parts of Canada. Though production of the show ended in 2019, PBS still airs reruns today.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: Jan. 30, 1976
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Since 1976, PBS has aired performances from the world of opera, ballet, and classical music from New York City's renowned Lincoln Center. Currently hosted by the actress and singer Audra McDonald, "Live from Lincoln Center" has won 17 Emmy Awards and countless more nominations. The program, made possible by grants from several trusts and foundations, remains one of PBS' most beloved cornerstones, though no new episodes have been released since 2019.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: Nov. 3, 1975
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"Good Morning America" (known colloquially as "GMA") is a breakfast television news show. Hosting the program has often been a stepping stone to more prestigious network news positions, and past anchors like Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer both eventually anchored "World News" on prime time. As of October 2024, the show is led by Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan, and Ginger Zee.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: Oct. 20, 1975
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

First broadcast in 1975 and currently hosted by Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett, "PBS Newshour" is the network's flagship daily news program. Jim Lehrer, who sat in the chair from 1976 until 2011, has been the program's longest-serving anchor. The prestige of the program was recognized when Lehrer was chosen to moderate multiple presidential debates. Gwen Ifill is among the program's most celebrated hosts, as is Judy Woodruff, who anchored the show until 2022, has remained on as a senior correspondent as of 2024.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Oct. 11, 1975
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Producer Lorne Michaels changed the sketch comedy and television landscape with "Saturday Night Live," or "SNL." Original cast members included Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and John Belushi with episodes featuring celebrity hosts and musical performances, live and pre-taped sketches, and the satirical "Weekend Update" news segment.

The show is also famous for its political impressions, such as Will Ferrell as George W. Bush, Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, and Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump. Cast members as of October 2024 include Chloe Fineman, Michael Che, and Kenan Thompson. "SNL" holds the record as America's longest-running sketch comedy and variety show and Thompson is its longest-tenured cast member; he's been on the show for more than two decades since 2003.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: Syndicated
- First broadcast: 1969
- Final broadcast: Dec. 20, 2013

This political roundtable show got its start as "Agronsky & Co.," hosted by journalist Martin Agronsky. After Agronsky's retirement, journalist Gordon Peterson renamed the program "Inside Washington," with production moving to local D.C. station WJLA. The program was an early pioneer in the "talking head" format of panel discussions.

- Total length: 44 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: July 15, 1968
- Final broadcast: Jan. 13, 2012

Agnes Nixon, the force behind "All My Children," created "One Life to Live" to steer daytime television programming away from its predominantly white, upper-class nature by instead depicting ethnically and socioeconomically diverse characters. Ending in 2012, an attempt to revive "One Life to Life" was short-lived online. The show lives on, however: some characters from "One Life to Live" migrated over to fellow long-running series "General Hospital" after "One Life" executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati joined that soap.

- Total length: 45 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: April 16, 1975
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Beginning as "Crockett's Victory Garden" under the hosting of James Underwood Crockett, each episode on this show focuses on general garden care. After Crockett passed away in 1979, the show broadened to cover topics like planting, potting, pruning, and pest control, even featuring guests and travel segments. The program is currently on the air under the title "The Victory Garden's Edible Feast," and is narrated by Daniel Klein, a James Beard Award-winning filmmaker and chef. Though it's since expanded its repertoire, "The Victory Garden" is the longest-running gardening show on television.

- Total length: 45 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: April 29, 1961
- Final broadcast: August 2006

ABC's "Wide World of Sports" was a popular weekly sports magazine. Episodes began with a musical fanfare and an iconic voice-over promising to show viewers "the thrill of victory" and "the agony of defeat." As the television market grew and diversified in the late '90s, "Wide World of Sports" couldn't compete and was canceled in 1998.

- Total length: 46 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: March 3, 1974
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"NOVA" is the most-watched primetime science program in the United States. Produced by Boston-based WGBH, the weekly program features in-depth reports on scientific and nature topics, as well as interviews with prominent scientists and researchers. "NOVA" is the recipient of numerous Peabody and Emmy awards.

- Total length: 47 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: March 26, 1973
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

A rivalry between the wealthy Brooks family and the working class Foster family is the centerpiece of the Daytime Emmy-winning "The Young and the Restless." While the cast frequently changes, the characters Jill Abbott and Christine Blair remain constant. The program began as a half-hour soap opera before expanding to a full hour in 1980 and also crossed over with fellow soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful."

- Total length: 47 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: Nov. 4, 1972
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

As the title implies, "Great Performances" is a platform on PBS to showcase theatrical and artistic productions including plays, musicals, ballets, operas, and even documentaries. Julie Andrews, Whoopi Goldberg, and Walter Cronkite frequently acted as guest hosts for the program. A spin-off called "Great Performances: Dance in America" focused exclusively on dance performances.

- Total length: 47 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: Sept. 4, 1972
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Whether or not they watch the show, many Americans are familiar with "The Price Is Right" catchphrase, "Come on down!" The game show is the longest-running on television and features contestants attempting to guess the cost of certain items. Bob Barker hosted the show from its debut until 2007, when he was succeeded by Drew Carey. In 2022, "The Price Is Right" was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

- Total length: 48 years
- Networks: Syndicated
- First broadcast: May 5, 1968
- Final broadcast: Feb. 6, 2016

"Day of Discovery" was a show imported from Canada and hosted by publisher and broadcaster Brent Hackett. Shot in documentary style, Hackett takes viewers through historical events while providing Christian context.

- Total length: 48 years
- Networks: Syndicated, ABC
- First broadcast: Sept. 4, 1966
- Final broadcast: Aug. 31, 2014

The "Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon" raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association annually from 1966 to 2014 and was hosted by its namesake, the beloved entertainer Jerry Lewis. The telethon aired every Labor Day weekend, and in total raised more than $2.45 billion. The program eventually aired as the "MDA Show of Strength," but was canceled in favor of more modern and viral methods of fundraising.

- Total length: 49 years
- Network: PBS
- First broadcast: Jan. 10, 1971
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"Masterpiece Theatre" (currently known as "Masterpiece") presents numerous British dramas to American audiences. Popular programs that have made it stateside through "Masterpiece" include "Sherlock" and "Downton Abbey." Several performers such as Gillian Anderson, Laura Linney, Alan Cumming, and David Tennant have acted as hosts for "Masterpiece," but the show now operates without one.

Fans of "Masterpiece" can find more content in the form of a podcast, which features British stars like Helena Bonham Carter discussing roles they've played.

- Total length: 49 years
- Network: ABC, ESPN
- First broadcast: Sept. 21, 1970
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"Monday Night Football" has aired NFL games across ABC and ESPN, for nearly 50 years. It is one of the longest-running prime-time programs on broadcast television. "MNF" often utilizes rotating hosts and guests to provide commentary and entertainment.

- Total length: 49 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Aug. 3, 1970
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

John Chancellor served as the first anchor for NBC's nightly news program before eventually being succeeded by the legendary Tom Brokaw. After Brokaw's retirement from the program, Brian Williams took over, only to resign after an embellishment scandal and suspension. Lester Holt now sits as the anchor, with the program still using a musical theme written by John Williams in 1985.

- Total length: 50 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: February 1970
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

First broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in California, "Hour of Power" showcases Christian music performances and several guests sharing stories about their faith. "Hour of Power" was founded by televangelist Robert H. Schuller, though the program is now hosted by his grandson Bobby Schuller. The program currently airs from Shepherd's Grove.

- Total length: 50 years
- Networks: NET, PBS, HBO
- First broadcast: Nov. 10, 1969
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

An essential part of many American childhoods, "Sesame Street" was created by the former Children's Television Workshop and uses puppets to communicate educational and often humorous lessons to children. Human characters are also present in "Sesame Street," with celebrity guest stars often making appearances. Famous "Sesame Street" characters include Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, and Oscar the Grouch.

- Total length: 50 years
- Networks: CBS, ABC, The WB, The CW, Cartoon Network, Boomerang
- First broadcast: Sept. 13, 1969
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

The "Scooby-Doo" franchise encapsulates several animated television shows and spin-off movies, with the most famous iteration being titled "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?" As most popular culture aficionados should know, the premise involves a group of teenagers and their quirky dog driving around in the Mystery Machine Van and solving various mysteries. "I would've gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!" yelled each villain of the week after their eventual defeat.

- Total length: 51 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: Sept. 24, 1968
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

The ticking noise and graphic that accompanies every bumper in "60 Minutes" has stuck with the minds of viewers since the program's beginnings in 1968. A news magazine from CBS, "60 Minutes" centers on reporter-focused investigations covering topical issues in the country. With the rise of new media, "60 Minutes" segments have also been distributed through the internet and mobile applications.

- Total length: 52 years
- Networks: Syndicated, ESPN, NFL Network
- First broadcast: Sept. 17, 1967
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

NFL Films serves as a resource for archiving some of the most memorable moments in American football history. Through ESPN and the NFL Network, the company provides several documentaries and footage, with "NFL Films Presents" acting as an umbrella title for many programs that do not fit in with existing shows.

- Total length: 53 years
- Networks: NET, PBS
- First broadcast: Feb. 23, 1967
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

The panel discussion program "Washington Week" first aired on the National Educational Television channel before coming under the banner of PBS. Initially titled "Washington Week in Review," this program features a moderator and panelists tackling the political issues of the day in a civil fashion. As of October 2024, The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg hosts the show, now called "Washington Week with The Atlantic."

- Total length: 53 years
- Network: Univision
- First broadcast: Aug. 8, 1962
- Final broadcast: Sept. 19, 2015

Directly imported from Chile, "Sábado Gigante" was brought to audiences in the United States through Univision. The weekly show provided a variety of entertainment segments, ranging from beauty pageants and comedy sketches to musical performances. "Sábado Gigante" represents the longest-running imported television show in the United States.

- Total length: 54 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Nov. 8, 1965
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

American soap opera fans have been following the lives of the residents of Salem since 1965. One of the longest-running scripted programs in the world, "Days of Our Lives"—or "Days" as its viewers lovingly call it—features all the romance, plotting, and scheming soap opera lovers expect from the genre, but it also gained a reputation, particularly in its early years, for its almost subversive storylines, including story arcs featuring topics like interracial romance and infertility.

- Total length: 54 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: April 2, 1956
- Final broadcast: Sept. 17, 2010

Created as a companion for "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns" was meant to be a slow, contemplative, and character-focused story. The program featured several characters representing different legal and medical professions. It has the third-longest continuous run of any soap opera and was canceled in 2009 due to low ratings.

- Total length: 54 years
- Networks: ABC, NBC, CBS, Disney Channel
- First broadcast: Oct. 27, 1954
- Final broadcast: Dec. 24, 2008

"The Wonderful World of Disney" presented numerous Disney theatrical releases on network and cable television and often hosted network premieres of popular films (including "Toy Story"). Upon its second run on ABC, the program began running film from other studios, such as the "Harry Potter" films. Despite the series' end, "The Wonderful World of Disney" title has returned infrequently for special presentations of films like "Frozen."

- Total length: 55 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: Feb. 26, 1961
- Final broadcast: Oct. 11, 2014

Initially, NASCAR's business and broadcast involvement with ABC began with presentations through the "Wide World of Sports" program. Beginning in 1981, ESPN would also air NASCAR races until 2002, later starting up again in 2007. The deal between ESPN and NASCAR ended in 2014, ending an almost 50-year run across ABC and ESPN.

- Total length: 57 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: April 1, 1963
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"General Hospital" has the distinction of being the longest-running dramatic series and soap opera that is still in production to this day. The series takes place in what used to be an unnamed town, now known as Port Charles. For most of the series' run, "General Hospital" has focused on the Quartermaine and Spencer families.

- Total length: 57 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: June 30, 1952
- Final broadcast: Sept. 18, 2009

Holding the record as the longest-running drama and daytime television show of all time, "Guiding Light" leaves a long legacy that began on radio in 1937. The program cycled through various writers, characters, and storylines through the many decades (Agnes Nixon, the creator of various other soap operas such as "All My Children," is one notable name). The show reached its eventual end in 2009 due to declining ratings.

- Total length: 58 years
- Networks: ABC, CBS, Fox Sports Net, ESPN
- First broadcast: Jan. 27, 1962
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

It may not have the name recognition of "Wide World of Sports," but the "Professional Bowlers Tour" still had a long presence on the same ABC television network. Now on ESPN, the program airs matches from the Professional Bowlers Association.

- Total length: 58 years
- Networks: WRC-TV, WJZ-TV, WVIR-TV
- First broadcast: Oct. 7, 1961
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

While classified as a game show, "It's Academic" is based more on local academic competitions. This long-running quiz show is only broadcast in Baltimore, Charlottesville, and Washington D.C., and features quiz competitions for high school students around the country. The program has spun off in other U.S. cities and even internationally.

- Total length: 59 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: Sept. 30, 1956
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

CBS began airing NFL games in 1956, even before the AFL-NFL merger. Factors such as competition from the then-relatively new Fox network led to a period from 1994 to 1997 where CBS was left without football games, leaving the network scrambling for replacement programming.

- Total length: 63 years
- Network: Syndicated
- First broadcast: May 1956
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"The Open Mind" is the longest-running public access program on television, with the goal of serving as a "thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas." Created by Richard Heffner, the show has attempted to provide insights into politics, science, technology, and the arts. After Heffner's death in 2013, his grandson Alexander Heffner took over hosting duties.

- Total length: 64 years
- Network: Syndicated
- First broadcast: March 1956
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"It Is Written" is the longest-running religious television program to broadcast in color. With the use of satellite uplink technology, this program is also broadcast internationally in over 140 countries. In keeping with modern media trends, "It Is Written" also has a presence through video podcasts and mobile applications.

- Total length: 65 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: Nov. 7, 1954
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

One of several Sunday morning talk shows on network television, "Face the Nation" debuted on CBS as a response to NBC's "Meet the Press." Both shows share a similar format, featuring interviews with political figures and panel discussions. The show, currently anchored by Margaret Brennan, started as a half-hour program before expanding to a full hour in 2012 under longtime moderator Bob Schieffer.

- Total length: 65 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Sept. 27, 1954
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

This long-running late-night talk show was created as a companion to "The Today Show" by Sylvester Weaver, NBC's vice president. First hosted by Steve Allen and followed by Jack Paar, Johnny Carson's 30-year run is by far the most famous and influential in late-night television history. The show moved back from Burbank, California, to New York City when Jimmy Fallon, former host of "Late Night," took over the show from Jay Leno.

- Total length: 66 years
- Network: ABC
- First broadcast: October 1953
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"ABC World News Tonight" is currently anchored by David Muir, with the long-running program receiving various title changes through the years. Muir succeeds Diane Sawyer, who succeeded Charles Gibson, both having formerly anchored ABC's "Good Morning America."

- Total length: 68 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Jan. 14, 1952
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

"Today," or "The Today Show," is the first show of its kind and the longest-running morning talk show. "Today" began as a two-hour program with news headlines, interviews, and occasional skits and gimmicks. In the present day, "Today" runs for four hours every weekday morning, currently hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and Carson Daly, among others. Like many other NBC programs, "Today" airs live from 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.

- Total length: 68 years
- Networks: NBC, CBS, PBS, ABC, Hallmark Channel
- First broadcast: Dec. 24, 1951
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Originally titled the "Hallmark Television Playhouse," this long-running program had its start on the radio and adapted stories from the Reader's Digest. Productions featured on the program include the plays of Shakespeare and popular Broadway programs. Like many of the shows of its time and unlike those today, this program, which now airs intermittently, features its sponsor in the title.

- Total length: 70 years
- Networks: Syndicated
- First broadcast: October 1949
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

The longest-running non-news television program, "Music & the Spoken Word" focuses on religious music performances and spiritual messages and passages. This program is broadcast on both television and radio and features The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The program received the honor of inclusion to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.

- Total length: 71 years
- Network: CBS
- First broadcast: May 3, 1948
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Douglas Edwards served as the first anchor for "CBS Evening News," the longest-running network newscast in American history. Walter Cronkite is perhaps the program's most famous news anchor. Currently, Norah O'Donnell hosts this nightly news program, with her predecessors including Jeff Glor, Scott Pelley, Katie Couric, and Dan Rather.

- Total length: 72 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Nov. 6, 1947
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

Hosted by Kristen Welker as of October 2024, "Meet the Press" has been on television for almost as long as network television seasons have existed, premiering in 1947. As a result, "Meet the Press" is the longest-running television show in United States broadcasting history. Beginning as a radio show in 1945, the television program initially featured one guest and a panel asking questions in a press conference format. Under the late Tim Russert, the format evolved to one-on-one interviews and in-depth panel discussions.

- Total length: 73 years
- Network: NBC
- First broadcast: Oct. 22, 1939
- Final broadcast: Ongoing

NBC's relationship with the NFL began in 1939, with televised broadcasts of football games leading to a rise in popularity for the NFL. NBC found themselves in heavy competition with the rival network CBS over broadcasting rights for the league, with CBS gaining the upper hand in 1997. After renegotiations, NBC began airing NFL games and the occasional Super Bowl starting in 2006.