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

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
Sesame StreetNovember 10, 1969present
41The 700 Club[1] April 1, 1966[2] present
41Divorce Court1957present5,767+
38The People's CourtSeptember 14, 1981July 21, 2023
40Wheel of FortuneSeptember 19, 1983present7,000+
39Jeopardy! (revival series)[3] September 10, 1984present8,000+
35Soul TrainOctober 2, 1971March 25, 2006[4] 1,117
32Entertainment TonightSeptember 14, 1981present
40MotorWeek[5] October 15, 1981present
31The Maury Povich ShowSeptember 9, 1991September 8, 20225,545
31The McLaughlin GroupJanuary 1, 1982December 25, 2020
29NFL Films Presents[6] 19681997
America's Black Forum1977present
29At the Movies[7] 19812012
27Donahue[8] November 6, 1967September 13, 19965,515
27The Jerry Springer ShowSeptember 30, 1991July 26, 20185,084
26The David Susskind Show[9] 19611987
26Faith for Today[10] 19551981
25Live! with Kelly and Ryan[11] With Kelly (2011-2012, 2016-2017), and Live! With Kelly and Michael (2012-2016)September 5, 1988[12] present7,580+
25Inside EditionOctober 9, 1988present6,625+
25InsightOctober 2, 1960January 21, 1985250
25The Oprah Winfrey ShowSeptember 8, 1986May 25, 20114,561
25Judge JudySeptember 16, 1996July 23, 20216,280

15–24 seasons

Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes
23Death Valley DaysMarch 1, 1952August 1, 1975558
23Family Feud (second revival series)September 20, 1999present2,390
23Divorce Court (revival series)September 5, 1999present2,076+
23Judge MathisSeptember 13, 1999May 25, 20233,000+
21Showtime at the Apollo[13] September 12, 1987May 24, 20081,093
21Hee Haw[14] 19711992
21This Week in Baseball[15] 19771998
21The Porter Wagoner Show19601981
20GunsmokeSeptember 10, 1955March 31, 1975635
19Extra[16] September 5, 1994present
19Entertainers with Byron Allen[17] September 1994present
18The Merv Griffin Show[18] 19651969
April 1972September 1986
17Access HollywoodSeptember 9, 1996present
17Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom[19] 19711988
17The Montel Williams ShowJune 24, 1991May 16, 20084,325
16Dr. PhilSeptember 16, 2002May 25, 20231,671
16The People's Court (revival series)[20] September 8, 1997July 21, 20231,500+
16Kickin' It with Byron Allen[21] 1994present
16Fight Back! with David Horowitz19761992
16The George Michael Sports Machine[22] September 15, 1991March 25, 2007
15SupernaturalSeptember 13, 2005November 19, 2020[23] 327
15That Good Ole Nashville Music19701985
15Jack Hanna's Animal AdventuresSeptember 1, 1993May 24, 2008

10–14 seasons

Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes
14The DoctorsSeptember 8, 2008August 8, 20221,041+
14Family Feud (second revival series)September 20, 1999present2,390
14Divorce Court (revival series)September 5, 1999present2,076+
14The Jack LaLanne Show19561970
13The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSeptember 8, 2003May 26, 20223,294
13CheatersOctober 2, 2000August 30, 2021264
13PM Magazine[24] September 1978January 1, 1991
12Star Search[25] September 10, 1983May 20, 1995
12Divorce Court (original series)[26] 19571969
12The People's Court (original series)[27] September 14, 1981May 28, 19932,484
12Lifestyles of the Rich and FamousJanuary 1984September 1996
12The Jenny Jones ShowSeptember 16, 1991September 12, 2003
12America's Court with Judge RossSeptember 20, 2010present
11Who Wants to Be a MillionaireSeptember 16, 2002May 31, 20191,950
11The Wendy Williams ShowJuly 14, 2008June 17, 20221,500+
11The Wilburn Brothers Show19631974354
11The Lawrence Welk Show[28] 1971February 1982
11Love ConnectionSeptember 12, 1983July 1, 1994
11Geraldo19871998
11Martha Stewart Living19932004
11Paula's Home Cooking20022013123
11Ricki LakeSeptember 13, 1993August 27, 2004
10A Current AffairJuly 28, 1986September 1996
10Hard CopySeptember 18, 1989April 26, 19992159
10Baywatch[29] October 1991May 24, 2001242
10Smallville[30] October 16, 2001May 13, 2011217
10Stargate SG-1[31] July 27, 1997March 13, 2007214

See also

Notes and References

  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
  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. News: Maynard . John . 2006-11-17 . George Michael to Drop Anchor Chores, Continue Weekend Sports Panel Shows . en-US . 2023-05-03 . 0190-8286.
  23. Web site: Carry On . IMDB . 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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