40 older TV exhibits of all time, categorized by length

Longevity is one thing extra small display screen sequence aspires, and the older TV exhibits of all time They accrued an unbelievable variety of years within the air to take care of the declare. Some exhibits have given a lot time that they're appreciated by a number of generations of the identical household. For any program launched final yr to have an opportunity to make the record, he must be on the air till the 2050s. From youngsters's exhibits to daytime tv, there are various examples of sequence that continued to run throughout the a long time, making it - If TV icons alone.

The query of what's the longest TV present will depend on many of the sorts of applications included. Numerous sports activities and sports activities applications, reminiscent of Meet the press or Monday Evening SoccerI've stated for many years. Nevertheless, they may additionally proceed indefinitely, so they don't seem to be the identical because the applications with script, categorized by the period of time from the primary episode to the final (or at this time, within the case of nonetheless exhibits). This yr, There are numerous sequence that proceed so as to add to their quantity extra and over years Within the air, together with some approaching seven a long time because the air.

40

NCIS - Over 22 years

2023-Current

Within the 90s, Hole It was a very fashionable navy process present and ended up producing a backdoor pilot for a brand new present known as Ncis. What few may count on on the time was that Ncis Not solely wouldn't it damage this system he laid, however he would find yourself as one of many oldest TV exhibits of all time. Ncis tells the historical past of particular brokers of the Naval Legal Investigation Service who take care of crimes involving navy personnel. The present has turn into an incredible success because of its solid, led by Mark Harmon.

Ncis It's amongst dwell motion TV applications with an oldest script at the moment airing.

In 2025, Ncis is among the many liver motion TV applications with older script at this time, behind solely the 2 Regulation & Order sequence. It took some time to seek out his ft, however it was essentially the most watched program on tv for a number of seasons and generated a franchise, together with sequence set in New Orleans, Hawaii, Los Angeles and, extra just lately, a prequel sequence that confirmed as Gibbs of Harmon started with NCIS. Though well-liked, he acquired solely three nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award.

39

Restrict your enthusiasm - 23 years

1999-2024

As if creating among the finest comedies of all time with Seinfeld It wasn't sufficient, Larry David determined to make one other tv traditional to observe, this time getting into the digital camera as properly. Comprise your enthusiasm Following is a fictional model of Larry David, with every episode merely following -as he finds an annoying social scenario after one other or makes a brand new enemy together with his irritated conduct.

A part of the explanation Comprise your enthusiasm Managed to turn into one of many oldest exhibits of all time was as a result of he would take lengthy hiatuses between the stations. In comparison with different longtime applications, Comprise your enthusiasm12 seasons and 120 episodes could not appear a lot. Nevertheless, the sequence was in a position to stay hilarious from starting to finish, with David completely embracing his position as one of the crucial unlikely protagonists on tv.

38

The X recordsdata - 24 years

1993-2018

The X recordsdata. It was a phenomenon when it was initially proven at Fox. It's because it debuted on Friday nights, often a demise slot to TV exhibits, and ended up bringing virtually 12 million viewers per episode that evening. Even when Fox moved to Sunday nights, one other tough evening for the viewers, continued to convey greater than 10 million viewers till its last season in 2001. The sequence adopted Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as two FBI investigators who deal in paranormal circumstances.

The sequence is a wiring in regards to the thought of ​​the outdated anthology sequence as The Twilight Zone However with a historical past of alien conspiracy in working like his spine. Have been exhibits like The X recordsdata. that assured that later sequence like Supernatural It may discover success with comparable themes. The franchise prolonged its race with motion pictures after which had a rebirth in 2016, the place two extra seasons have been added to the present, with the unique stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning to their roles.

37

Hee Haw - 24 years

1969-1993

Hee Haw It was one of many oldest varieties exhibits in tv historical past, displaying from 1969 to 1993 for a complete of 26 seasons. The sequence was a comedy varieties present primarily based on nation music with jokes centered round this themeof the fictional "Kornfield Kounty". The solid ended up extraordinarily well-liked within the middle -east, with nation music stars Roy Clark and Buck Owens as the primary musical hosts. Nevertheless, the supporting solid was additionally what followers fell in love with completely different causes.

Minnie Pearl, together with his nice hats with the value nonetheless held on them, was a style icon.

Minnie Pearl, together with her nice hats with the value nonetheless hanging from them, was a style icon for a few years. Grandpa Jones (Louis Jones) was additionally an especially well-liked character within the present and is definitely a part of the nation music corridor as a banjo participant. With recurring sketches ("PFFT! You go", "Lulu truck cease", "Shadow, desperation and agony in me" and "The Haystack" among the many most memorable), the present nonetheless airs in re -name and was referenced about The SimpsonsLike this, The criticand extra.

36

Arthur - 25 years

1996-2022

Arthur It may be a really unpretentious youngsters's present in comparison with all the pieces on the market, however it has maintained a powerful reputation for many years and is remembered as a traditional for a lot of younger folks. The animated sequence follows the beginning character, an Aardvark who lives together with his mom, father and sister whereas finding out together with his colourful group of pals.

In its 25 years, Arthur He was in a position to develop to TV motion pictures in addition to a derivative sequence. Nevertheless, this system has at all times maintained its comparatively discreet strategy, with a world and based tales that weren't overly flashy. Nevertheless, like all good youngsters's exhibits, Every episode of Arthur sought to show the younger public one thing new and even approached some heavier subjects. Nevertheless, together with his charming characters, he has at all times remained a great time for the entire household.

35

Household Man - Over 26 years

1999-Current

The Simpsons It stays the oldest animated TV present within the prime time in historical past. Whereas Household Man It's a decade behind this well-liked sequence, his race was no much less spectacular. That's as a result of Fox actually canceled Household Man After solely three seasons. Fox then offered the three seasons to Cartoon Community, and have become one of the crucial watched exhibits on this community. The set of bins of the primary two seasons ended up as the most effective -selling DVD TV set of all time, and Fox realized that he had made a mistake and introduced the present again.

The grownup animation sequence now has 23 seasons and counting and over 400 episodes. The present follows a dysfunctional household that features a speaking canine and a devilish child who desires to take over the world sooner or later. With fast popular culture jokes, meta-humor and clowning motion scenes, the sequence has remained well-liked over time and solely in contrast to comparable applications in the identical style to at all times look recent, even after a protracted race.

34

Regulation and Order: Particular Victims Unit - 26+ years

1999-Current

Regulation and Order: SVU He did one thing superb together with his NBC race. Though there have been spinoffs that have been superior to their predecessors (Ncis and Hole are nice examples), which SVU It was spectacular. It was a derivative of the unique Regulation & Order and initially survived the unique sequence. When NBC canceled Regulation & OrderLike this, SVU continued to go And ended up surpassing the unique in whole stations. Whereas NBC introduced again the unique later and continued, SVU Now it has two extra seasons than the present that adopted.

The primary distinction between Regulation and Order: SVU and Regulation & Order It's that the spinoff primarily particulars sexual crimes, whether or not aggression, homicide or predatory. Many episodes are influenced by actual -life circumstances and are primarily extra disturbing because of sexual facets. Nevertheless, what made this system so well-liked was the solid, with Mariska Hargitay as a frontrunner in all seasons, Christopher Meloni as her first half accomplice, and names like Ice-T and Richard Belzer offering nice help races.

33

The Border of the Evening - 28 years

1956-1984

The cleaning soap opera The sting of the evening aired for 28 years and even survived a cancellation by a community to play for 9 extra seasons on a rival community. Initially, THE Fringe of Evening aired at CBS and debuted in 1956. The cleaning soap debuted subsequent door Because the world turns And each exhibits ended up as enormous success tales.

The main target was not on the tales of romance and love, however was painted as a sequence of thriller, primarily based on the sort of tales advised in Perry Mason Detective novels. He targeted on crime tales greater than every other cleaning soap of his time. The sequence has had some very recognizable faces in its solid over time, together with names reminiscent of Dixie Carter, Kate Capshaw, Marcia Cross, Scott Glenn, Julianne Moore, Bebe Neuworth and John Travolta.

The sequence was canceled in 1975, when CBS did Because the world turns one hour and thought of The sting of the evening to be dispensable. ABC needed a brand new cleaning soap and selected to get it The sting of the evening And added it to their every day programming, and didn't lose a beat. ABC lastly ended the present in 1984.

32

Love for Life - 29 years

1951-1980

Created by Roy Winsor (Search tomorrow), the daytime cleaning soap opera Like to Life It was completely different from most different soaps on TV. As American family merchandise had cleaning soap, it aired with commercials from American family merchandise earlier than and after the present, as a substitute of getting business intervals throughout the community episodes. With that stated, he nonetheless aired at CBS and lasted 29 years and seven,315 episodes. The sequence was an ethical story about two sisters, one good and the opposite dangerousand their relationship.

Nevertheless, cleaning soap has eradicated Dangerous Sister Meg, and have become a fundamental cleaning soap opera with love tales, tragic deaths, betrayals and extra. The cleaning soap had some large names, with John Aniston (who went by way of extra fame as Victor Kiriakis Days of our lives), Peggy McCay (who went to Days of our lives Like Caroline Brady) and the primary man to play Superman in an enormous display screen film Christopher Reeve. The Final Episode of Like to Life led to a cliffhanger, which was by no means resolved.

31

The Phil Donahue Present - 29 years

1967-1996

Right this moment, daytime interview applications are often about controversy or celeb discussions. Nevertheless, on the identical time, the daytime discuss present presenters took the time to debate critical questions with out exaggerated arguments and fights between the visitors. Earlier than exhibits with hosts like Sally Jessy Raphel and Oprah Winfrey shook issues, Phil Donahue's present It was a fundamental merchandise of daytime tv, providing a critical view of the issues that individuals take care of day by day. It's because Donahue was a information reporter who needed to do one thing larger.

He even helped introduce hip-hop tradition to the nation on day tv for the primary time

Phil Donahue's present It started aired in 1967 at restricted tv stations earlier than changing into nationally unionized in 1970. Donahue targeted on a visitor or matter for your complete time of this system and provided the general public the prospect to ask questions. He introduced an atheist to the present, a rarity for that point (he was a working towards Catholic), a physician who spoke about physique language on TV for the primary time, and even helped introduce hip-hop tradition to the nation on daytime tv for the primary time. After 29 years, he completed his present in 1996.

30

Captain Kangaroo - 29 years

1955 - 1984

Captain Kangaroo It's a youngsters's tv program that started to be proven in 1955. The sequence was conceived as a program of academic and enjoyable varieties, starring its creator, Bob Keeshan, who performed the eponymous character of Captain Kangaroo, in addition to a number of different characters within the present. Keeshan believed that the longevity of this system was because of his respect for his younger viewers (by way of CLICK AMERICAN):

“Captain Kangaroo treats youngsters as clever human beings and by no means talks to them. He isn't afraid to ask you to suppose. And he believes they've good style. He likes folks usually and youngsters specifically. ”

Captain Kangaroo airs for nearly 30 years, coming to an finish in 1984, after greater than 6,000 episodes. On the time it got here to an finish, it was the oldest TV present for youngsters in tv historical past, though different sequence surpassed this album. Even after the top, the sequence loved many reruns over the a long time, a few of which have included new content material.

29

South Park - Over 29 years

1997-Current

For a sequence that has attracted a lot controversy over time, it's much more spectacular that South park It was within the air for therefore lengthy. The animated sequence comes from the minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, following a gaggle of younger pals who dwell within the holder of Colorado, the place they enter typical childhood adventures, reminiscent of enjoying Warcraft And imagining they're ninjas. They're additionally pulled for very unusual adventures, reminiscent of serving to Jesus save Santa.

South park has had a number of prohibited episodes over time, however it's nonetheless robust as Season 27 is confirmed to air in 2025. In the mean time, the animated sequence has been spectacular 27 years within the air and over 300 episodes aired. THE South park The franchise remains to be robust with video video games and flicks nonetheless being launched.

28

The Every day Present - Over 29 years

1996-Current

It's attention-grabbing to notice that, throughout its early years, The Every day Present It may simply turn into a largely forgotten brief comedy information program. Nevertheless, Few exhibits reinvented themselves so efficiently, giving a brand new life and launching a brand new legacy. The Every day Present It was initially introduced by Craig Kilborn and was a critical information parody. Nevertheless, the sequence truly gained its acclaimed repute as quickly as Jon Stewart took workplace as a presenter.

Stewart supervised this system, changing into a a lot clearer and extra political sequence, which was additionally one of many funniest tv exhibits. It grew to become a spot the place folks actually acquired their information with Stewart by providing clever and criticism observations about all sides of the argument. Whereas Stewart left large footwear to fill when he left the present in 2015, Trevor Noah proved to be a wonderful substitute. After Noah's match, this system operated and not using a set host for a number of years, with Stewart returning in 2024.

27

WWE Second at evening RAW - Over 32 years

1993 - Current

One of many oldest episodic tv applications within the prime time in tv historical past is Wwe second at uncooked evening. Earlier than that, the wrestling was primarily on Saturdays, with some small exhibits throughout the week (as Tuesday Evening Titansa chat present). Nevertheless, in 1993, Vince McMahon determined to vary issues when He launched a noble time present on the US community with Monday evening, uncooked. This primary episode had names like Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, and the promotion by no means appeared again.

In 2025, Crude strikes to Netflix.

Issues have modified over time. The present was pre-recorded, however WWE finally made it a dwell present, which stays at this time. There have been two community modifications, when WWE moved the present to TNN in 2000, however then returned to the US community in 1993. Nevertheless, there may be one other change that may change Wwe second at uncooked evening eternally. In 2025, Crude Transfer to Netflix, making it -O -first weekly dwell battle present of an incredible promotion to be broadcast on a streaming service.

26

The Late Present - Over 32 years

1993 - Current

David Letterman ought to substitute Johnny Carson in The Tonight PresentHowever when the NBC handed him and selected Jay Leno, Letterman selected to depart the online and signed with CBS. They then created their very own tv program to compete The Tonight Present And the evening discuss present wars began. Occurring on the Ed Sullivan Theater, LATE SHOW began in 1993 and Letterman added a number of issues To make issues completely different from Leno's present, together with a number of recurring sketches like "to Ten Misplaced" and extra.

In 2014, Letterman introduced his retirement, together with his last episode coming in 2015. Issues didn't lower, as there was a transition after Stephen Colbert lastly took over in September 2015, and he was the present host since. Recurrently ends the yr as essentially the most watched discuss present of the evening, profitable The Tonight Present with Jimmy FallonAnd Colbert gained a Peabody Award with a number of nominations for Primetime Emmy as properly.

25

Bairro de Mister Rogers - 33 years

1968-2001

There's a man who saved the general public entry tv community from authorities cuts for a few years. Fred Rogers was earlier than Congress and made a passionate speech that satisfied them of the significance of PBs and applications like their very own Bairro do Senhor Rogers. The sequence made Mr. Rogers discuss immediately with the general public in lots of circumstances and educate youngsters the distinction between proper and unsuitable. It was simply among the finest and most pure exhibits of academic youngsters in historical past.

Bairro do Senhor Rogers air from 1968 to 2001, beginning on the community and spending 30 years at PBS. Rogers was 72 years outdated when the present led to 2001 and died two years later. In 2012, DANIEL TIGER BAIRRO It began as an animated spinoff, however it solely has one reference to the unique sequence and was not a continuation of the beloved sequence of academic youngsters. In whole, Mister Rogers Neighborhood had 31 seasons and spectacular 912 episodes.

24

The Simpsons - Over 35 years

1989 - Current

No shock The Simpsons It is without doubt one of the oldest exhibits within the air. This full of life household marched for the inabalable a long time and gave a number of generations a motive to chuckle. The Simpsons it began Tracey Ullman's present As a sequence of brief sketches in 1987Earlier than getting into union as an entire sequence in 89 and changing into one of many oldest TV exhibits on the planet for the dominion of animation.

Over the practically three and a half a long time wherein the sequence competed, there have been six US presidents and a number of other generations of pop and politics tradition - all of them criticized for the unique solid.

The cultural impression can't be exaggerated The Simpsons It has been over 34 years.

The cultural impression can't be exaggerated The Simpsons It has been over 34 years. First, the dialog about highschool youngsters concerned in Bartmania, this system quickly branched for adults who loved their sarcastic temper and mature tales. The present impressed future animation franchises as Household Man and South parkEach had very lengthy races. The primary seasons of The Simpsons They loved a brand new on -line life within the types of a library of household gifs. And with greater than thirty seasons within the can, The Simpsons No indicators of stopping.

23

Columbo - 35 years

1968 - 2003

Columbo It's an American detective drama starring Peter Falk because the beginning crime resolution. The sequence was first aired a pair of pilot episodes in 1968 and 1971, respectively, earlier than lastly receiving an order from the total sequence. The present was acclaimed as the primary of its form for abandoning the mysterious a part of comparable applications, displaying the general public every killer originally of the episode and as a substitute concentrate on how the aggressor is captured.

The sequence aired at a time of 90 minutes month-to-month as a part of the NBC Thriller Film Anthology, together with different detectives sequence, permitting him to maintain his form recent. After having fun with a number of a long time within the air, Columbo He stopped debuting new episodes frequently in 1990. For the subsequent 13 years, the sequence featured longer tv specials as a substitute of typical episodes. Due to their uncommon and generally sporadic show habits, Columbo It has solely 69 episodes, regardless of being one of many oldest TV exhibits within the style in historical past.

22

Search tomorrow - 35 years

1951 - 1986

Search tomorrow It's an American cleaning soap opera that began its race in 1951. The sequence adopted the lifetime of Joanne Gardner, who was portrayed by Mary Stuart throughout all thirty -five seasons of lengthy -term drama. The sequence was the oldest TV present on the time of its cancellation, though it was overcome.

Search tomorrow It got here to an finish in 1986, after greater than 9,000 episodes and 5 daytime wins in Emmy. Within the early Eighties, it grew to become the final cleaning soap opera to broadcast a dwell episode after a mysterious pre-recorded program disappeared. The present additionally featured numerous actors' appearances that grew to become recognized for different work, together with Kevin Bacon, Jane Krakowski, Kevin Conroy and extra.

21

One other world - 35 years

1964 - 1999

One other world It was one of many first casualties of the autumn of daytime cleaning soap operas in america. The cleaning soap aired at NBC from 1964 and remained within the air by 8,891 episodes earlier than ending in 1999. What made this cleaning soap completely different was that it didn't concentrate on home life, however within the variations between households in numerous social lessons. The sequence was NBC's categorized cleaning soap opera for 15 years and was the primary cleaning soap to develop the half-hour and even launched its personal spinoffs, changing into one of many oldest TV exhibits of its time.

Cleaning soap was vital, as a result of it was one of many first to speak about abortion when the topic was thought of taboo, however this isn't the one exceptional level about One other world. It was additionally the primary cleaning soap to have a crossover occasion with one other cleaning soap, Guiding gentle, which was acquired extremely properly by viewers on the time. Notable actors on this system embrace Scott Bakula, Christine Baranski, Marcia Cross and Morgan Freeman.