List of longest-running U.S. first-run syndicated television series
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 United States television series.
List
Series shaded in light blue are currently in production. |
25 seasons and up
Seasons | Series | First broadcast | Last broadcast | Number of episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
48 | Sesame Street | November 10, 1969 | present | 4,835 |
41 | The 700 Club[1] | 1972[2] | present | |
40 | America's Black Forum | 1977 | present | |
36 | Wheel of Fortune | September 19, 1983 | present | 5,850+ |
35 | Jeopardy! (revival series)[3] | September 10, 1984 | present | 6,600+ |
35 | Soul Train | October 2, 1971 | March 25, 2006[4] | 1,117 |
32 | Entertainment Tonight | September 14, 1981 | present | |
31 | MotorWeek[5] | 1982 | present | |
31 | The McLaughlin Group | 1982 | August 12, 2016 | unknown |
29 | NFL Films Presents[6] | 1968 | 1997 | |
29 | At the Movies[7] | 1981 | 2012 | |
27 | Donahue[8] | 1969 | 1996 | |
27 | The Jerry Springer Show | September 30, 1991 | July 26, 2018 | 5,084 |
26 | The David Susskind Show[9] | 1961 | 1987 | |
26 | Faith for Today[10] | 1955 | 1981 | |
25 | Live! with Kelly and Ryan[11] | September 5, 1988[12] | 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 |
15–24 seasons
Seasons | Series | First broadcast | Last broadcast | Number of episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
23 | Death Valley Days | March 1, 1952 | August 1, 1975 | 558 |
22 | Judge Judy | September 16, 1996 | present | 5,909 |
22 | The Maury Povich Show | September 9, 1991 | present | 3,000 |
21 | Showtime at the Apollo[13] | September 12, 1987 | May 24, 2008 | 1,093 |
21 | Hee Haw[14] | 1971 | 1992 | |
21 | This Week in Baseball[15] | 1977 | 1998 | |
21 | The Porter Wagoner Show | 1960 | 1981 | |
20 | Gunsmoke | September 10, 1955 | March 31, 1975 | 635 |
19 | Extra[16] | September 5, 1994 | present | |
19 | Entertainers with Byron Allen[17] | September 1994 | present | |
18 | The Merv Griffin Show[18] | 1965 | 1969 | |
April 1972 | September 1986 | |||
17 | Access Hollywood | September 9, 1996 | present | |
17 | Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom[19] | 1971 | 1988 | |
17 | The Montel Williams Show | June 24, 1991 | May 16, 2008 | 4,325 |
16 | Dr. Phil | September 16, 2002 | present | 1,671 |
16 | The People's Court (revival series)[20] | September 1997 | present | 1,500+ |
16 | Kickin' It with Byron Allen[21] | 1994 | present | |
16 | Fight Back! with David Horowitz | 1976 | 1992 | |
16 | The George Michael Sports Machine[22] | September 15, 1991 | March 25, 2007 | |
15 | Supernatural | September 13, 2005 | present | 309 |
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 | 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 | present | 2054 |
13 | Cheaters | September 2000 | present | 264 |
13 | PM Magazine[23] | September 1978 | January 1, 1991 | |
12 | The Doctors | September 8, 2008 | present | 1,041+ |
12 | Star Search[24] | September 10, 1983 | May 20, 1995 | |
12 | Divorce Court (original series)[25] | 1957 | 1969 | |
12 | The People's Court (original series)[26] | September 1981 | 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 | |
11 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | September 16, 2002 | May 31, 2019 | 1,950 |
11 | The Wendy Williams Show | July 14, 2008 | present | 1,500+ |
11 | The Wilburn Brothers Show | 1963 | 1974 | 354 |
11 | The Lawrence Welk Show[27] | 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[28] | October 1991 | May 24, 2001 | 242 |
10 | Smallville[29] | October 16, 2001 | May 13, 2011 | 217 |
10 | Stargate SG-1[30] | 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 U.S. cable television series
- List of longest-running U.S. broadcast network television series
- List of longest-running U.S. primetime television series
- List of longest-running United States television series
Notes
- 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, 1982-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-present)
- Evolved from Jammin, 1991–1994
- Originally on NBC, 1984–1991; evolved from George Michael's Sports Final, 1980–1984 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111600669.html)
- 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