Longest-Running TV Shows in the History, Check the List

Longest-running TV shows have captured audiences for decades with their engaging stories. From soap operas to animated series, these shows have become part of television history, with some running for over 50 years and continuing to entertain viewers worldwide.

Akansha Arora Published On January 3rd, 2025

Some TV shows become so loved that they last for decades, entertaining generations of viewers. These long-running shows have strong stories, memorable characters, and a special charm that keeps people coming back year after year. From animated comedies to dramatic soap operas, those shows have made history by staying on air for an incredibly long time. Let’s explore some of the longest-running TV shows in history.

Longest-Running TV Show in the History

The longest-running TV show is “General Hospital” on ABC. It has been airing since 1963 and has aired over 13,550 episodes. This daytime drama is set in Port Charles and focuses on the lives, relationships and dramas of its residents. It holds the record as the longest-running drama in TV history.

List of Longest-Running TV Shows in the History

Here is the list of longest-running TV shows in the history:

Network	Show Name	Years Active	Episodes	Description
NBC	Saturday Night Live	1975-present	981	A sketch comedy show featuring a mix of celebrity guest appearance and musical performances.
CBS	The Young and the Restless	1973-present	13,297	A drama about two rich families in a town, focusing on love and business.
ABC	General Hospital	1963-present	13,550	A daytime drama about people living in a hospital and their personal lives.
FOX	The Simpsons	1989-present	780	An animated show that makes fun of American culture through the Simpson family.
The CW	Supernatural	2005-2020	327	A show about two brothers fighting monsters and other supernatural beings.
PBS	Sesame Street	1969-present	3,180	An educational show for kids with puppets and live actors teaching fun topics.
PBS Kids	Arthur	1996-2022	259	An animated series about Arthur the aardvark and his life lessons.
Univision	Sabado gigante	1986-2015	1,594	A Spanish show with music comedy, and audience games.
TBS	House of Payne	2006-present	372	A sitcom about a family living together in Atlanta.
TLC	Little People, Big World	2006-present	392	A reality show following the lives of a family with dwarfism.
HBO	Curb Your Enthusiasm	2000-present	120	A comedy starring Larry David as the deals with life’s small annoyances.
Showtime	Shameless	2011-2021	134	A drama-comedy about a family with a wild father and loyal children.
USA Network	Suits	2011-2019	134	A legal drama about a man without a law degree working in a big law firm.
Freeform	Pretty Little Liars	2010-2017	160	A mystery show about four girls hiding secrets after one disappears.
Nickelodeon	SpongeBob SquarePants	1999-present	322	An animated show about a sea sponge who works at a restaurant and has fun.
BET	Being Mary Jane	2013-2019	52	A drama about a TV anchor juggling her work and personal life.
Bravo TV	The Real Housewives of Orange Country	2006-present	334	A reality show about rich women in Southern California.
MTV	The Real World	1992-present	654	A reality show where young people live together and face different challenges.
CMT	Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team	2006-present	168	A reality series about the audition process for the Cowboys cheerleaders.
Paramount Network	Yellowstone	2018-2024	53	A drama about a family trying to protect their ranch from others.
Disney Channel	Bunk’d	2015-2024	161	A family show about kids having adventures and making friends at a summer camp.
A&E	The First 48	2004-present	583	A true crime show about detectives solving murders within the first 48 hours.
Lifetime	Army Wives	2007-2013	117	A drama about women married to soldiers and their lives in the military.
AMC	The Walking Dead	2010-2022	177	A horror series about people surviving in a world filled with zombies.
Discovery Channel	MythBusters	2003-2018	300	A show where hosts test out popular myths and stories using science.