This is a list of the longest running U.S. first-run syndicated television series, ordered by number of broadcast seasons.
To qualify for this list, the programming must originate in North America, shown nationally in the United States, and be first-run syndicated (as opposed to previously aired material, repackaging of previously aired material, or material released in other media). For the purposes of this list, series that were available only on a local or regional basis will be excluded. For series that were presented on U.S. broadcast networks or cable networks at other points in their runs, only the amount aired nationally as original first-run syndicated programming is represented here.
Several long-lasting series were both in first-run syndication and on U.S. network television. For those that were in syndication for fewer than ten seasons, see List of longest-running American television series.
This television-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2021) |
List
Series shaded in light blue are currently in production. |
25 seasons and up
Seasons | Series | First broadcast | Last broadcast | Number of episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
54 | Sesame Street | November 10, 1969 | present | 4701 |
41 | The 700 Club | April 1, 1966 | present | |
41 | Divorce Court | 1957 | present | 5,767+ |
38 | The People's Court | September 14, 1981 | July 21, 2023 | |
40 | Wheel of Fortune | September 19, 1983 | present | 7,000+ |
39 | Jeopardy! (revival series) | September 10, 1984 | present | 9,000+ |
35 | Soul Train | October 2, 1971 | March 25, 2006 | 1,117 |
32 | Entertainment Tonight | September 14, 1981 | present | |
40 | MotorWeek | October 15, 1981 | present | |
31 | The Maury Povich Show | September 9, 1991 | September 8, 2022 | 5,545 |
31 | The McLaughlin Group | January 1, 1982 | December 25, 2020 | |
29 | NFL Films Presents | 1968 | 1997 | |
29 | America's Black Forum | 1977 | present | |
29 | At the Movies | 1981 | 2012 | |
27 | Donahue | November 6, 1967 | September 13, 1996 | 5,515 |
27 | The Jerry Springer Show | September 30, 1991 | July 26, 2018 | 5,084 |
26 | The David Susskind Show | 1961 | 1987 | |
26 | Faith for Today | 1955 | 1981 | |
25 | Live! with Kelly and Ryan | September 5, 1988 | present | 7,580+ |
25 | Inside Edition | October 9, 1988 | present | 6,625+ |
25 | Insight | October 2, 1960 | January 21, 1985 | 250 |
25 | The Oprah Winfrey Show | September 8, 1986 | May 25, 2011 | 4,561 |
25 | Judge Judy | September 16, 1996 | July 23, 2021 | 6,280 |
15–24 seasons
Seasons | Series | First broadcast | Last broadcast | Number of episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
23 | Death Valley Days | March 1, 1952 | August 1, 1975 | 558 |
23 | Family Feud (second revival series) | September 20, 1999 | present | 2,390 |
23 | Divorce Court (revival series) | September 5, 1999 | present | 2,076+ |
23 | Judge Mathis | September 13, 1999 | May 25, 2023 | 3,000+ |
21 | Showtime at the Apollo | September 12, 1987 | May 24, 2008 | 1,093 |
21 | Hee Haw | 1971 | 1992 | |
21 | This Week in Baseball | 1977 | 1998 | |
21 | The Porter Wagoner Show | 1960 | 1981 | |
20 | Gunsmoke | September 10, 1955 | March 31, 1975 | 635 |
19 | Extra | September 5, 1994 | present | |
19 | Entertainers with Byron Allen | September 1994 | present | |
18 | The Merv Griffin Show | 1965 | 1969 | |
April 1972 | September 1986 | |||
17 | Access Hollywood | September 9, 1996 | present | |
17 | Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom | 1971 | 1988 | |
17 | The Montel Williams Show | June 24, 1991 | May 16, 2008 | 4,325 |
16 | Dr. Phil | September 16, 2002 | May 25, 2023 | 1,671 |
16 | The People's Court (revival series) | September 8, 1997 | July 21, 2023 | 1,500+ |
16 | Kickin' It with Byron Allen | 1994 | present | |
16 | Fight Back! with David Horowitz | 1976 | 1992 | |
16 | The George Michael Sports Machine | September 15, 1991 | March 25, 2007 | |
15 | Supernatural | September 13, 2005 | November 19, 2020 | 327 |
15 | That Good Ole Nashville Music | 1970 | 1985 | |
15 | Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures | September 1, 1993 | May 24, 2008 |
10–14 seasons
Seasons | Series | First broadcast | Last broadcast | Number of episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | The Doctors | September 8, 2008 | August 8, 2022 | 1,041+ |
14 | Family Feud (second revival series) | September 20, 1999 | present | 2,390 |
14 | Divorce Court (revival series) | September 5, 1999 | present | 2,076+ |
14 | The Jack LaLanne Show | 1956 | 1970 | |
13 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | September 8, 2003 | May 26, 2022 | 3,294 |
13 | Cheaters | October 2, 2000 | August 30, 2021 | 264 |
13 | PM Magazine | September 1978 | January 1, 1991 | |
12 | Star Search | September 10, 1983 | May 20, 1995 | |
12 | Divorce Court (original series) | 1957 | 1969 | |
12 | The People's Court (original series) | September 14, 1981 | May 28, 1993 | 2,484 |
12 | Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous | January 1984 | September 1996 | |
12 | The Jenny Jones Show | September 16, 1991 | September 12, 2003 | |
12 | America's Court with Judge Ross | September 20, 2010 | present | |
11 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | September 16, 2002 | May 31, 2019 | 1,950 |
11 | The Wendy Williams Show | July 14, 2008 | June 17, 2022 | 1,500+ |
11 | The Wilburn Brothers Show | 1963 | 1974 | 354 |
11 | The Lawrence Welk Show | 1971 | February 1982 | |
11 | Love Connection | September 12, 1983 | July 1, 1994 | |
11 | Geraldo | 1987 | 1998 | |
11 | Martha Stewart Living | 1993 | 2004 | |
11 | Paula's Home Cooking | 2002 | 2013 | 123 |
11 | Ricki Lake | September 13, 1993 | August 27, 2004 | |
10 | A Current Affair | July 28, 1986 | September 1996 | |
10 | Hard Copy | September 18, 1989 | April 26, 1999 | 2159 |
10 | Baywatch | October 1991 | May 24, 2001 | 242 |
10 | Smallville | October 16, 2001 | May 13, 2011 | 217 |
10 | Stargate SG-1 | July 27, 1997 | March 13, 2007 | 214 |
See also
- List of sitcoms broadcast in first-run syndication
- List of television programs by episode count
- List of television series canceled after one episode
- List of television series canceled before airing an episode
- List of longest-running American cable television series
- List of longest-running American broadcast network television series
- List of longest-running American primetime television series
- List of longest-running American television series
Notes
- Season 44 (2013–2014) was the first time episodes were numbered in a seasonal order rather than the numerical and chronological fashion used since the show premiered. For example, episode 4401 means "the first episode of the 44th season", not "the 4401st episode" (it is in fact the 4328th episode).
- Aired locally on WYAH-TV Portsmouth, Virginia, 1966–1977, syndicated 1972-present; evolved from locally broadcast telethons 1962–1966
- Also simultaneously on CBN/Family/Fox Family/ABC Family nationally since 1977
- Hosted by Alex Trebek
- Date of airing last first-run episode. Repeats continue to be syndicated as Best of Soul Train
- Also on PBS, 1981-present
- Presented on ESPN since 1997 and on NFL Network since 2003
- Title since 2007. Previously titled: At the Movies (1981–1986), Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (1986–1989), Siskel & Ebert (1989–1999), Roger Ebert & the Movies (1999–2000), Ebert & Roeper and the Movies (2000–2001), and Ebert & Roeper (2001–2007)
- Originally The Phil Donahue Show
- Originally Open End; prior to syndication, aired on WNTA-TV 1958–1961
- On ABC 1950–1955; also Westbrook Hospital, 1975–1981
- Other names: Live With Regis and Kathie Lee (1988–2000), Live With Regis (2000–2001), Live! With Regis and Kelly (2001–2011), Live! With Kelly (2011-2012, 2016-2017), and Live! With Kelly and Michael (2012-2016)
- Date of first episode distributed nationally; was aired by WABC locally at The Morning Show, 1983–1988
- Also known as Showtime in Harlem, Showtime, Live in Hollywood
- On CBS 1969–1971; renamed Hee Haw Silver for 1992–1993 season ("greatest hits"); reruns aired on The Nashville Network 1992–1997
- Original version hosted by Mel Allen (1977–1996), Warner Fusselle (1996), and Ozzie Smith (1997–1998)
- Originally Extra:The Entertainment Magazine
- Originally Entertainers
- On NBC 1962–1963; on CBS 1969–1972
- Originally on NBC, 1963–1971; revival on Animal Planet, 2002–present
- Judges: Ed Koch (1997–1999), Jerry Sheindlin (1999–2001), Marilyn Milian (2001-2023)
- Evolved from Jammin, 1991–1994
- Maynard, John (2006-11-17). "George Michael to Drop Anchor Chores, Continue Weekend Sports Panel Shows". ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
- "Carry On". IMDB. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- Aired locally on KPIX San Francisco as Evening: The MTWTF Show, 1976–1978
- Ed McMahon's Star Search, 1992–1995
- With Judge Voltaire Perkins
- With Judge Joseph Wapner
- Originally The Dodge Dancing Party; aired on ABC 1955–1971; reruns have been airing since 1982 on various PBS stations
- Originally on NBC, 1989–1990
- Smallville
- Stargate SG-1