List of longest-running scripted American primetime television series

Last updated

This is a list of the longest-running scripted prime time television series in the United States, as measured by number of seasons. Only shows that have aired on a major broadcast network for seven or more seasons and at least 100 episodes are included. Those that moved to syndication, a cable network, or a streaming service are noted below.

Contents

Series shaded in aqua are in production.
Number of
seasons		SeriesNetworkFirst
air date		Last
air date		Number of
episodes
36 The Simpsons Fox December 17, 1989 [1] present782
26 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit NBC September 20, 1999present565
24 Law & Order NBCSeptember 13, 1990present515 [2]
23 Family Guy FoxApril 11, 1999 [3] present429 [4]
22 NCIS CBSSeptember 23, 2003present480
21 Grey's Anatomy ABC March 27, 2005present438
21 American Dad! Fox (2005–2014)
TBS (2014–present) [5] 		May 1, 2005 [6] present384
20 Gunsmoke CBS September 10, 1955March 31, 1975635
19 Lassie CBSSeptember 12, 1954March 21, 1971591 [7]
17 Criminal Minds [8] CBS (2005–2020)
Paramount+ (2022–present)		September 22, 2005present344
15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBSOctober 6, 2000February 15, 2015337 [9]
15 ER NBCSeptember 19, 1994April 2, 2009331
15 Supernatural The WB (2005–2006)
The CW (2006–2020)		September 13, 2005November 19, 2020327
15 Bob's Burgers FoxJanuary 9, 2011present286
15 The Jack Benny Program CBS (1950–1964)
NBC (1964–1965)		October 28, 1950 [10] April 16, 1965261
14 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ABCOctober 3, 1952April 23, 1966435
14 Bonanza NBCSeptember 12, 1959January 16, 1973432
14 Dallas CBSApril 2, 1978May 3, 1991357
14 Knots Landing CBSDecember 27, 1979May 13, 1993344
14 NCIS: Los Angeles CBSSeptember 22, 2009May 21, 2023323
14 Blue Bloods CBSSeptember 24, 2010December 13, 2024293
13 Chicago Fire NBCOctober 10, 2012present266
13 King of the Hill FoxJanuary 12, 1997May 6, 2010259 [11]
12 My Three Sons ABC (1960–1965)
CBS (1965–1972)		September 29, 1960April 13, 1972380 (184 in black-and-white, 196 in color)
12 Hawaii Five-O CBSSeptember 26, 1968April 26, 1980281
12 The Big Bang Theory CBSSeptember 24, 2007May 16, 2019279
12 Murder, She Wrote CBSSeptember 30, 1984May 19, 1996264 (+ 4 TV movies)
12 Two and a Half Men CBSSeptember 22, 2003February 19, 2015262
12 NYPD Blue ABCSeptember 21, 1993March 1, 2005261
12 Bones FoxSeptember 13, 2005March 28, 2017246
12 Chicago P.D. NBCJanuary 8, 2014present235
11 The Danny Thomas Show [12] ABC (1953–1957)
CBS (1957–1964)		September 29, 1953April 27, 1964343
11 Cheers NBCSeptember 30, 1982May 20, 1993275
11 Frasier NBCSeptember 16, 1993May 13, 2004264
11 Murphy Brown CBSNovember 14, 1988December 20, 2018260 [13]
11 Married... with Children FoxApril 5, 1987June 9, 1997259
11 M*A*S*H CBSSeptember 17, 1972February 28, 1983256
11 Happy Days ABCJanuary 15, 1974September 24, 1984255
11 The Jeffersons CBSJanuary 18, 1975June 25, 1985253
11 Modern Family ABCSeptember 23, 2009April 8, 2020250
11 Will & Grace NBCSeptember 21, 1998April 23, 2020246 [14]
11 7th Heaven The WB (1996–2006)
The CW (2006–2007)		August 26, 1996May 13, 2007243
11 The X-Files FoxSeptember 10, 1993March 21, 2018218 [15]
10 Beverly Hills, 90210 FoxOctober 4, 1990May 17, 2000293
10 Hawaii Five-0 CBSSeptember 20, 2010April 3, 2020240
10 Friends NBCSeptember 22, 1994May 6, 2004236 (+ 1 special)
10 CSI: Miami CBSSeptember 23, 2002April 8, 2012232
10 Roseanne ABCOctober 18, 1988May 22, 2018231 [16]
10 The Goldbergs ABCSeptember 24, 2013May 3, 2023229
10 JAG NBC (1995–1996)
CBS (1997–2005)		September 1, 1995April 29, 2005227 [17]
10 Smallville The WB (2001–2006)
The CW (2006–2011)		October 16, 2001May 13, 2011218
10 The Blacklist NBCSeptember 23, 2013July 13, 2023218
10 Law & Order: Criminal Intent NBC (2001–2007)
USA (2007–2011)		September 30, 2001June 26, 2011195
10 Chicago Med NBCNovember 17, 2015present190
9 The Beverly Hillbillies CBSSeptember 26, 1962March 23, 1971274
9 Perry Mason CBSSeptember 21, 1957May 22, 1966271
9 The Virginian [18] NBCSeptember 19, 1962March 24, 1971249
9 The Love Boat ABCSeptember 24, 1977 [19] May 24, 1986250
9 The F.B.I. ABCSeptember 19, 1965April 28, 1974241
9 The Drew Carey Show ABCSeptember 13, 1995September 8, 2004233
9 Falcon Crest CBSDecember 4, 1981May 17, 1990227
9 The Waltons CBSSeptember 14, 1972June 4, 1981221
9 Dynasty ABCJanuary 13, 1981May 11, 1989220
9 Family Matters ABC (1989–1997)
CBS (1997–1998)		September 22, 1989July 17, 1998215
9 The Middle ABCSeptember 30, 2009May 22, 2018215
9 Touched by an Angel CBSSeptember 21, 1994May 27, 2003211
9 Everybody Loves Raymond CBSSeptember 13, 1996May 16, 2005210
9 One Day at a Time CBSDecember 16, 1975May 28, 1984209
9 How I Met Your Mother CBSSeptember 19, 2005March 31, 2014208
9 The King of Queens CBSSeptember 21, 1998May 14, 2007207
9 All in the Family CBSJanuary 12, 1971April 8, 1979205
9 Little House on the Prairie [20] NBCSeptember 11, 1974March 21, 1983204 (+4 specials)
9 24 FoxNovember 6, 2001July 14, 2014204 + 24: Redemption [21]
9 Alice CBSAugust 31, 1976March 19, 1985202
9 The Facts of Life NBCAugust 24, 1979May 7, 1988201
9 The Office NBCMarch 24, 2005May 16, 2013
9 Coach ABCFebruary 28, 1989May 14, 1997200
9 CSI: NY CBSSeptember 22, 2004February 22, 2013197
9 Last Man Standing ABC (2011–2017)
Fox (2018–2021)		October 11, 2011May 20, 2021194
9 Night Court NBCJanuary 4, 1984May 31, 1992193
9 Matlock NBC (1986–1992)
ABC (1992–1995)		September 23, 1986May 7, 1995193 (+ pilot movie)
9 One Tree Hill The WB (2003–2006)
The CW (2006–2012)		September 23, 2003April 4, 2012187
9 The Flash The CWOctober 7, 2014May 24, 2023184
9 Scrubs NBC (2001–2008)
ABC (2009–2010)		October 2, 2001March 17, 2010182
9 Seinfeld NBCJuly 5, 1989May 14, 1998180
8 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show CBSOctober 12, 1950September 15, 1958291
8 Wagon Train NBC (1957–1962)
ABC (1962–1965)		September 18, 1957May 2, 1965284
8 Dragnet NBCDecember 16, 1951August 23, 1959276
8 The Donna Reed Show ABCSeptember 24, 1958March 19, 1966275
8 [22] Mama CBSJuly 1, 1949July 27, 1956261 [22]
8 Bewitched ABCSeptember 17, 1964March 25, 1972254 (74 episodes in black-and-white but later colorized; 180 episodes in color)
8 The Andy Griffith Show CBSOctober 3, 1960April 1, 1968249
8 Rawhide CBSJanuary 9, 1959December 7, 1965217
8 Home Improvement ABCSeptember 17, 1991May 25, 1999204
8 The Cosby Show NBCSeptember 20, 1984April 30, 1992201 (and outtakes special)
8 Walker, Texas Ranger CBSApril 21, 1993May 19, 2001200
8 That '70s Show FoxAugust 23, 1998May 18, 2006200
8 Ironside NBCSeptember 14, 1967 [23] January 16, 1975199 [24]
8 Who's the Boss? ABCSeptember 20, 1984April 25, 1992196
8 Mannix CBSSeptember 16, 1967April 13, 1975194
8 Full House ABCSeptember 22, 1987May 23, 1995192
8 Diff'rent Strokes NBC (1978–1985)
ABC (1985–1986)		November 3, 1978May 7, 1986189
8 Newhart CBSOctober 25, 1982May 21, 1990184
8 According to Jim ABCOctober 3, 2001June 2, 2009182
8 Desperate Housewives ABCOctober 3, 2004May 13, 2012180
8 Barnaby Jones CBSJanuary 28, 1973April 3, 1980178
8 Laverne & Shirley ABCJanuary 27, 1976May 10, 1983178
8 Diagnosis: Murder CBSOctober 29, 1993May 11, 2001178 (+ pilot and 5 TV movies)
8 Charmed The WBOctober 7, 1998May 21, 2006178
8 House FoxNovember 16, 2004May 21, 2012177
8 Mad About You NBC (1992–1999)
Spectrum (2019)		September 23, 1992December 18, 2019176
8 Black-ish ABCSeptember 24, 2014April 19, 2022176
8 Castle ABCMarch 9, 2009May 16, 2016173
8 Three's Company ABCMarch 15, 1977September 18, 1984172
8 L.A. Law NBCOctober 3, 1986 [25] May 19, 1994172
8 Wings NBCApril 19, 1990May 21, 1997172
8 Girlfriends UPN (2000–2006)
The CW (2006–2008)		September 11, 2000February 11, 2008 172
8 The Vampire Diaries The CWSeptember 10, 2009March 10, 2017171
8 Arrow The CWOctober 6, 2012January 28, 2020170
8 Mom CBSSeptember 23, 2013May 13, 2021170
8 Barney Miller ABCJanuary 23, 1975May 20, 1982170
8 The Practice ABCMarch 4, 1997May 16, 2004168
8 Magnum, P.I. CBSDecember 11, 1980May 8, 1988162
8 Simon & Simon CBSNovember 24, 1981January 21, 1989156
8 S.W.A.T. CBSNovember 2, 2017present154
8 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Fox (2013–2018)
NBC (2019–2021)		September 17, 2013September 16, 2021153
8 Perfect Strangers ABCMarch 25, 1986August 6, 1993150
8 Quincy, M.E. NBCOctober 3, 1976September 4, 1983148
8 9-1-1 Fox (2018–2023)
ABC (2024–present)		January 3, 2018present114
7 Melrose Place FoxJuly 8, 1992May 24, 1999226
7 Petticoat Junction CBSSeptember 24, 1963April 4, 1970222
7 The Golden Girls NBCSeptember 14, 1985May 21, 1992180
7 Star Trek: The Next Generation CBSSeptember 28, 1987May 23, 1994178
7 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine CBSJanuary 3, 1993June 2, 1999176
7 Family Ties NBCSeptember 22, 1982May 14, 1989176 + one film
7 Adam-12 NBCSeptember 21, 1968May 20, 1975174
7 Star Trek: Voyager UPNJanuary 16, 1995May 23, 2001172
7 Mission: Impossible CBSSeptember 17, 1966March 30, 1973171
7 Medical Center CBSSeptember 24, 1969 [26] September 6, 1976170
7 Empty Nest NBCOctober 8, 1988April 29, 1995170
7 Marcus Welby, M.D. ABCSeptember 23, 1969 [27] May 4, 1976170
7 The Mary Tyler Moore Show CBSSeptember 19, 1970March 19, 1977168
7 Growing Pains ABCSeptember 24, 1985April 25, 1992166
7 Designing Women CBSSeptember 29, 1986May 24, 1993163
7 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch ABC (1996–2000)
The WB (2000–2003)		September 27, 1996April 24, 2003163
7 Step by Step ABC (1991–1997)
CBS (1997–1998)		September 20, 1991June 26, 1998160
7 Without a Trace CBSSeptember 26, 2002May 19, 2009160
7 Benson ABCSeptember 13, 1979April 19, 1986158
7 Boy Meets World ABCSeptember 24, 1993May 5, 2000158
7 Cold Case CBSSeptember 28, 2003May 2, 2010156
7 The Good Wife CBSSeptember 22, 2009May 8, 2016156
7 NCIS: New Orleans CBSSeptember 23, 2014May 23, 2021155
7 Once Upon a Time ABCOctober 23, 2011May 18, 2018155
7 The West Wing NBCSeptember 22, 1999May 14, 2006154 [note 1]
7 Elementary CBSSeptember 27, 2012August 15, 2019154
7 Gilmore Girls The WB (2000–2006)
The CW (2006–2007)		October 5, 2000May 15, 2007153
7 Hunter NBCSeptember 18, 1984April 26, 1991153
7 Fantasy Island ABCJanuary 28, 1978May 19, 1984152, plus 2 TV movies [28]
7 Trapper John, M.D. CBSSeptember 23, 1979September 4, 1986151
7 Malcolm in the Middle FoxJanuary 9, 2000May 14, 2006151
7 The Mentalist CBSSeptember 23, 2008February 28, 2015151
7 Just Shoot Me! NBCMarch 4, 1997August 16, 2003145 (+ 3 episodes aired in syndication)
7 The Dukes of Hazzard CBSJanuary 26, 1979February 8, 1985147
7 Hill Street Blues NBCJanuary 15, 1981May 12, 1987146
7 New Girl FoxSeptember 20, 2011May 15, 2018146
7 Buffy the Vampire Slayer The WB (1997–2001)
UPN (2001–2003)		March 10, 1997May 20, 2003144
7 In the Heat of the Night NBC (1988–1992)
CBS (1992–1994)		March 6, 1988May 11, 1994147 + 4 TV movies
7 Young Sheldon CBSSeptember 25, 2017May 16, 2024141
7 MacGyver ABCSeptember 29, 1985May 21, 1992139 + 2 TV films
7 30 Rock NBCOctober 11, 2006January 31, 2013139
7 Riverdale The CWJanuary 26, 2017August 23, 2023137
7 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ABCSeptember 24, 2013August 12, 2020136
7 Medium NBC (2005–2009)
CBS (2009–2011)		January 3, 2005January 21, 2011130
7 The Neighborhood CBSOctober 1, 2018present127
7 Parks and Recreation NBCApril 9, 2009February 24, 2015126
7 The Good Doctor ABCSeptember 25, 2017May 21, 2024126
7 FBI CBSSeptember 25, 2018present126
7 Cagney & Lacey CBSMarch 25, 1982 [29] May 16, 1988125 (+ pilot and 4 TV movies)
7 Scandal ABCApril 5, 2012April 19, 2018124
7 Homicide: Life on the Street NBCJanuary 31, 1993May 21, 1999122
7 The Rookie ABCOctober 16, 2018present116
7 Legends of Tomorrow The CWJanuary 21, 2016March 2, 2022110
7 Cheyenne ABCSeptember 20, 1955 [30] December 17, 1962108
7 Station 19 ABCMarch 22, 2018May 30, 2024105
7 Rules of Engagement CBSFebruary 5, 2007May 20, 2013100
7 The 100 The CWMarch 19, 2014September 30, 2020100

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ This includes the special episodes "Documentary Special" and "Isaac and Ishmael", but not the 2020 special "A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote" (primarily a restaging of "Hartsfield's Landing").

References

  1. ↑ The Simpsons aired a sneak peek on December 17, 1989.
  2. ↑ Law & Order ended its original run in 2010, and was revived in 2022.
  3. ↑ Family Guy aired a sneak peek on January 31, 1999.
  4. ↑ Family Guy has two episodes that did not originally air on Fox. "When You Wish Upon a Weinstein" originally aired on Adult Swim and "Partial Terms of Endearment" originally aired in the UK. Family Guy ended its original run in 2002 and was revived by Fox in 2005.
  5. ↑ American Dad! moved to TBS in 2014 for additional seasons.
  6. ↑ American Dad! aired a sneak peek on February 6, 2005.
  7. ↑ Lassie ran for a total of 20 seasons and 591 episodes. The final two seasons aired in syndication.
  8. ↑ Also known as Criminal Minds: Evolution (2022–present)
  9. ↑ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation officially ended its run with Immortality on September 27, 2015. The TV movie is considered the two-episode 16th season, bringing the episode total to 337.
  10. ↑ The Jack Benny Program began with a pilot episode on May 8, 1949.
  11. ↑ Four more episodes of King of the Hill aired after its official final broadcast, bringing the total to 259.
  12. ↑ For its first three seasons, The Danny Thomas Show aired as Make Room for Daddy.
  13. ↑ Murphy Brown ended its original run in 1998 and came back for one more season in 2018.
  14. ↑ "'Will & Grace' to Return to NBC for New Season". January 18, 2017.
  15. ↑ In 2016, The X-Files ended its original run in 2002 and returned in 2016 for two more seasons.
  16. ↑ Roseanne ended its original run in 1997 and returned to television in 2018 for a single season. The revived show later continued as The Conners for the rest of the season and onward as its own program.
  17. ↑ The episode "Skeleton Crew" did not originally air on NBC.
  18. ↑ In its final season, the title of The Virginian was changed to The Men from Shiloh.
  19. ↑ The Love Boat had two pilot movies that aired on September 18, 1976 and January 21, 1977.
  20. ↑ In its final season, the title of Little House on the Prairie was changed to Little House: A New Beginning.
  21. ↑ In 2014, 24 returned to television with another 12-episode series 24: Live Another Day .
  22. 1 2 An additional season of Mama aired on Sunday afternoons, bringing the episode total to 283.
  23. ↑ Ironside began with the pilot movie A Man Called Ironside on March 28, 1967.
  24. ↑ Ironside had three additional episodes after its official final broadcast.
  25. ↑ L.A. Law began with a two-hour pilot on September 15, 1986.
  26. ↑ Medical Center began with the pilot movie U.M.C. on April 17, 1969.
  27. ↑ Marcus Welby, M.D. began with a pilot movie on March 26, 1969.
  28. ↑ Fantasy Island had two premiere movies that aired on January 14, 1977 and January 20, 1978.
  29. ↑ Cagney & Lacey began with a pilot movie on October 8, 1981.
  30. ↑ Cheyenne began as a rotating element of Warner Bros. Presents .
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