List of longest-running American first-run syndicated television series

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This is a list of the longest running American first-run syndicated television series , ordered by number of broadcast seasons.

Contents

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 American 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 American network television. For those that were in syndication for fewer than ten seasons, see List of longest-running American television series.

List

Series shaded in light blue are currently in production.

25 seasons and up

SeasonsSeriesFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of
episodes
55 Sesame Street November 10, 1969present4731 [note 1]
41 The 700 Club [1] April 1, 1966 [2] present
41 Divorce Court 1957present5,767+
38 The People's Court September 14, 1981July 21, 2023
40 Wheel of Fortune September 19, 1983present7,000+
39 Jeopardy! (revival series) [3] September 10, 1984present9,000+
35 Soul Train October 2, 1971March 25, 2006 [4] 1,117
32 Entertainment Tonight September 14, 1981present
40 MotorWeek [5] October 15, 1981present
31 The Maury Povich Show September 9, 1991September 8, 20225,545
31 The McLaughlin Group January 1, 1982December 25, 2020
29 NFL Films Presents [6] 19681997
29 America's Black Forum 1977present
29 At the Movies [7] 19812012
27 Donahue [8] November 6, 1967September 13, 19965,515
27 The Jerry Springer Show September 30, 1991July 26, 20185,084
26 The David Susskind Show [9] 19611987
26 Faith for Today [10] 19551981
25 Live! with Kelly and Ryan [11] September 5, 1988 [12] present7,580+
25 Inside Edition October 9, 1988present6,625+
25 Insight October 2, 1960January 21, 1985250
25 The Oprah Winfrey Show September 8, 1986May 25, 20114,561
25 Judge Judy September 16, 1996July 23, 20216,280

15–24 seasons

SeasonsSeriesFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of
episodes
23 Death Valley Days March 1, 1952August 1, 1975558
23 Family Feud (second revival series)September 20, 1999present2,390
23 Divorce Court (revival series)September 5, 1999present2,076+
23 Judge Mathis September 13, 1999May 25, 20233,000+
21 Showtime at the Apollo [13] September 12, 1987May 24, 20081,093
21 Hee Haw [14] 19711992
21 This Week in Baseball [15] 19771998
21 The Porter Wagoner Show 19601981
20 Gunsmoke September 10, 1955March 31, 1975635
19 Extra [16] September 5, 1994present
19 Entertainers with Byron Allen [17] September 1994present
18 The Merv Griffin Show [18] 19651969
April 1972September 1986
17 Access Hollywood September 9, 1996present
17 Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom [19] 19711988
17 The Montel Williams Show June 24, 1991May 16, 20084,325
16 Dr. Phil September 16, 2002May 25, 20231,671
16 The People's Court (revival series) [20] September 8, 1997July 21, 20231,500+
16 Kickin' It with Byron Allen [21] 1994present
16 Fight Back! with David Horowitz 19761992
16 The George Michael Sports Machine [22] September 15, 1991March 25, 2007
15 Supernatural September 13, 2005November 19, 2020 [23] 327
15 That Good Ole Nashville Music 19701985
15 Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures September 1, 1993May 24, 2008
15 The Talk October 18, 2010December 20, 20242,993

10–14 seasons

SeasonsSeriesFirst broadcastLast broadcastNumber of
episodes
14 The Doctors September 8, 2008August 8, 20221,041+
14 Family Feud (second revival series)September 20, 1999present2,390
14 Divorce Court (revival series)September 5, 1999present2,076+
14The Jack LaLanne Show19561970
13 The Ellen DeGeneres Show September 8, 2003May 26, 20223,294
13 Cheaters October 2, 2000August 30, 2021264
13 PM Magazine [24] September 1978January 1, 1991
12 Star Search [25] September 10, 1983May 20, 1995
12 Divorce Court (original series) [26] 19571969
12 The People's Court (original series) [27] September 14, 1981May 28, 19932,484
12 Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous January 1984September 1996
12 The Jenny Jones Show September 16, 1991September 12, 2003
12 America's Court with Judge Ross September 20, 2010present
11 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire September 16, 2002May 31, 20191,950
11 The Wendy Williams Show July 14, 2008June 17, 20221,500+
11 The Wilburn Brothers Show19631974354
11 The Lawrence Welk Show [28] 1971February 1982
11 Love Connection September 12, 1983July 1, 1994
11 Geraldo 19871998
11 Martha Stewart Living 19932004
11 Paula's Home Cooking 20022013123
11 Ricki Lake September 13, 1993August 27, 2004
10 A Current Affair July 28, 1986September 1996
10 Hard Copy September 18, 1989April 26, 19992159
10 Baywatch [29] October 1991May 24, 2001242
10 Smallville [30] October 16, 2001May 13, 2011217
10 Stargate SG-1 [31] July 27, 1997March 13, 2007214

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 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).
  1. ↑ Aired locally on WYAH-TV Portsmouth, Virginia, 1966–1977, syndicated 1972-present; evolved from locally broadcast telethons 1962–1966
  2. ↑ Also simultaneously on CBN/Family/Fox Family/ABC Family nationally since 1977
  3. ↑ Hosted by Alex Trebek
  4. ↑ Date of airing last first-run episode. Repeats continue to be syndicated as Best of Soul Train
  5. ↑ Also on PBS, 1981-present
  6. ↑ Presented on ESPN since 1997 and on NFL Network since 2003
  7. ↑ 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)
  8. ↑ Originally The Phil Donahue Show
  9. ↑ Originally Open End; prior to syndication, aired on WNTA-TV 1958–1961
  10. ↑ On ABC 1950–1955; also Westbrook Hospital, 1975–1981
  11. ↑ 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)
  12. ↑ Date of first episode distributed nationally; was aired by WABC locally at The Morning Show, 1983–1988
  13. ↑ Also known as Showtime in Harlem, Showtime, Live in Hollywood
  14. ↑ On CBS 1969–1971; renamed Hee Haw Silver for 1992–1993 season ("greatest hits"); reruns aired on The Nashville Network 1992–1997
  15. ↑ Original version hosted by Mel Allen (1977–1996), Warner Fusselle (1996), and Ozzie Smith (1997–1998)
  16. ↑ Originally Extra:The Entertainment Magazine
  17. ↑ Originally Entertainers
  18. ↑ On NBC 1962–1963; on CBS 1969–1972
  19. ↑ Originally on NBC, 1963–1971; revival on Animal Planet, 2002–present
  20. ↑ Judges: Ed Koch (1997–1999), Jerry Sheindlin (1999–2001), Marilyn Milian (2001-2023)
  21. ↑ Evolved from Jammin, 1991–1994
  22. ↑ Maynard, John (2006-11-17). "George Michael to Drop Anchor Chores, Continue Weekend Sports Panel Shows". ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  23. ↑ "Carry On". IMDB. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  24. ↑ Aired locally on KPIX San Francisco as Evening: The MTWTF Show, 1976–1978
  25. ↑ Ed McMahon's Star Search, 1992–1995
  26. ↑ With Judge Voltaire Perkins
  27. ↑ With Judge Joseph Wapner
  28. ↑ Originally The Dodge Dancing Party; aired on ABC 1955–1971; reruns have been airing since 1982 on various PBS stations
  29. ↑ Originally on NBC, 1989–1990
  30. ↑ Smallville
  31. ↑ Stargate SG-1
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