70 Years of Television: The Longest-Running TV Shows Still on Air in 2026

Some TV shows stay on the air for so long that they become part of your life story. You watched them as a kid on your parents’ couch, then years later, you find yourself watching the same show with your own children. Films and TV shows have this strange power to connect generations and make people feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. They entertain and create shared moments.

What makes the longest-running TV shows different is their ability to remain true to their core while adapting to the times. The characters grow, the plots get deeper, and the world around them shifts, but somehow the show still feels like home to viewers.  The writers and actors understand their characters so well that by year five or ten, the stories feel natural and earned.

In this article, we have curated a list of the longest-running TV shows that have lasted for decades, exploring what has kept them alive through changing trends and why some shows have become permanent fixtures in our culture. 

20 Longest-Running TV Shows 

Rank	Show	Years Running	Start Year	Status	Episodes	Category
1	The Tonight Show	70	1954	Still airing	6,000+	Late-night talk show
2	Coronation Street	64	1960	Still airing	11,500+	British soap opera
3	General Hospital	62	1963	Still airing	15,000+	American soap opera
4	Days of Our Lives	60	1965	Still airing (Peacock)	15,000+	American soap opera
5	Sesame Street	55	1969	Still airing	5,000+	Children’s educational
6	The Young and the Restless	52	1973	Still airing	13,000+	American soap opera
7	Emmerdale	52	1972	Still airing	12,000+	British soap opera
8	Saturday Night Live	50	1975	Still airing	950+	Sketch comedy/variety
9	EastEnders	39	1985	Still airing	8,000+	British soap opera
10	The Bold and the Beautiful	37	1987	Still airing	7,000+	American soap opera
11	The Simpsons	36	1989	Still airing	857+	Animated sitcom
12	South Park	27	1997	Still airing	350+	Animated comedy
13	Law & Order: SVU	26	1999	Still airing	579+	Procedural drama
14	Family Guy	26	1999	Still airing	506+	Animated sitcom
15	Law & Order	23	1990	Still airing (revived 2022)	532+	Procedural drama
16	NCIS	22	2003	Still airing	492+	Procedural drama
17	American Dad!	20	2005	Still airing	448+	Animated sitcom
18	Grey’s Anatomy	20	2005	Still airing	466+	Medical drama
19	Gunsmoke	20	1955	Ended 1975	635	Western drama
20	Bob’s Burgers	14	2011	Still airing	280+	Animated sitcom

1. The Tonight Show (70 years) 

• First episode: September 27, 1954
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.9

The Tonight Show stands as the longest-running TV show in American television history, defining late-night entertainment since 1954. Johnny Carson transformed it into a cultural phenomenon during his 30-year tenure, establishing conventions that networks still follow. From monologues to celebrity interviews and comedy sketches, the show created a nightly ritual millions looked forward to. Jimmy Fallon continues this legacy while respecting traditions. Its seven-decade journey proves that when format stays familiar yet content remains fresh, audiences return generation after generation.

2. Coronation Street (64 years)

• First episode: December 9, 1960
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 6.8

Coronation Street holds the record as the longest-running TV show in the United Kingdom, airing continuously since 1960. Set on a Manchester street, it chronicles the lives of working-class residents through births, deaths, and the everyday struggles they face. Over 11,500 episodes have built an extensive tapestry of character history that viewers feel deeply connected to. British audiences grew up with these neighbors, introducing them to their own children. The longest-running TV shows, such as Coronation Street, succeed due to their authenticity and community values. It proved that audiences want to feel part of something enduring, honest, and reflective of their own lives.

3. General Hospital (62 years)

• First episode: April 1, 1963
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 6.3

General Hospital redefined American soap operas and remains one of the longest-running TV shows with over 15,000 episodes. Set in Port Charles, it balanced medical emergencies with romance, betrayals, and mysteries that kept viewers engaged. The show survived by evolving storylines while maintaining beloved characters that audiences cared deeply about. It introduced iconic couples and legendary plot twists that have been discussed among fans for decades. The show’s format is effective because it acknowledges that viewers crave emotional connection and character development. Its ability to adapt while preserving its essence explains why it remains relatable today.

4. Days of Our Lives (60 years)

• First episode: November 8, 1965
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 4.4

Days of Our Lives represents a cornerstone of American television, broadcasting continuously since 1965 with over 15,000 episodes. Its iconic opening line became embedded in popular culture, signaling viewers to gather around their televisions. Set in Salem, it blended mystery, romance, and complex family drama into compelling narratives. Characters experienced growth, and the town developed a rich history that viewers felt emotionally invested in. In 2022, it moved to Peacock, proving the show can adapt to survive modern distribution changes. Its transition demonstrated that loyal audiences follow beloved shows across platforms.

5. Sesame Street (55 years)

• First episode: November 10, 1969
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.6

Sesame Street revolutionized children’s education in 1969 and remains one of the longest-running TV shows for young viewers. With over 5,000 episodes, it has taught generations through beloved characters like Big Bird and Cookie Monster. The show strikes a balance between learning and entertainment, respecting children’s intelligence while making education an enjoyable experience. Each episode contained learning objectives wrapped in humor, appealing to both children and adults. Its documented impact on child development celebrates its educational legacy.

6. The Young and the Restless (52 years)

• First episode: March 26, 1973
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 6.4

The Young and the Restless has delivered compelling drama for over 50 years, making it one of the longest-running soap operas on daytime TV. With over 13,000 episodes, it has built a reputation for character depth and natural relationship evolution spanning decades. Set in Genoa City, viewers became invested in families, watching as children grew and new generations arrived. Its cast changes, but the core appeal remains: genuine human drama played out with consequences that carry forward. The show created an extended community where viewers know histories and care about futures.

7. Emmerdale (52 years)

• First episode: October 16, 1972
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.3

Emmerdale holds the distinction of being one of the longest-running TV shows set outside major cities, broadcasting since 1972. This British soap opera chronicles life in a Yorkshire village, focusing on community dynamics and the realities of agriculture. Starting as rural drama, it evolved, tackling contemporary issues while maintaining village heart and authenticity. The show succeeds by striking a balance between nostalgia and relevance, upholding traditions while acknowledging the impact of social change. Its community-focused storytelling creates a sense of belonging for viewers across generations, as parents discover they watched the same characters. Regional television proved it could sustain itself through authenticity and respect for audience intelligence.

8. Saturday Night Live (50 years)

• First episode: October 11, 1975
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.9

Saturday Night Live began in 1975 as live sketch comedy with a different host and musical guest each week. The format gave the show infinite possibilities because audiences came for new comedy, not the same cast performing the same bits. With 950 episodes, it became appointment television for people wanting to feel part of a shared cultural moment. What separates the longest-running TV shows like SNL is that the format stays consistent while constantly refreshing the content. The thrill of live performance and the uncertainty of what happens next keep people coming back week after week.

9. EastEnders (39 years)

• First episode: February 19, 1985
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.0

EastEnders brought gritty realism to British soap operas in 1985, becoming one of the longest-running TV shows addressing social issues. Set in London’s East End, it featured working-class characters navigating struggles that resonated with audiences. With 8,000+ episodes, it tackled domestic violence, addiction, and racism before mainstream television embraced them. Its willingness to address complex subjects has built devoted fan bases that trust its authenticity and refuse easy solutions. The show proved soap operas could be socially responsible while remaining entertaining and meaningful.

10. The Bold and the Beautiful (37 years)

• First episode: March 23, 1987
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 4.0

The Bold and the Beautiful brought glamour to daytime television, becoming one of the longest-running TV shows centered on fashion and wealth. Since 1987, over 7,000 episodes have explored high-fashion families navigating business rivalries and romantic entanglements. The show balanced soap-opera melodrama with aspirational elements, appealing to viewers who sought escapism and emotional engagement. This show survived by offering fantasy grounded in authentic emotion and genuine character care. Its global reach proved that American soap operas transcended cultural boundaries. The show’s fashion focus kept it visually interesting while maintaining strong character-driven narratives, sustaining interest.

11. The Simpsons (36 years)

• First episode: December 17, 1989
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 8.6

The Simpsons debuted in 1989 and became the longest-running animated series by using satire and comedy to comment on American culture and politics. The cartoon did not preach but instead let the humor make the point about family, society, and absurdity. With 857 episodes, it stayed fresh by updating references and jokes while keeping Homer, Marge, and the kids recognizable. Among the longest-running TV shows, The Simpsons proved animation could hold audiences for decades if writers stayed smart and evolved. The show created a world that people recognized and catchphrases that entered everyday language.

12. South Park (27 years)

• First episode: August 13, 1997
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 8.7

South Park started in 1997 and refused to apologize for offending people or playing it safe. The show commented on current events through crude animation and humor that made audiences uncomfortable while also prompting them to think. With 350 episodes, it became one of the most successful and longest-running TV shows, staying irreverent and never compromising its voice. South Park proved loyalty comes from consistency, not from trying to please everyone in the audience. The devoted fans appreciated that the show would rather say something true than something acceptable or corporate. 

13. Law & Order: SVU (26 years)

• First episode: September 20, 1999
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 8.1

Law & Order: SVU started in 1999 as a spinoff and eventually outlasted the original series by focusing on serious crimes. Mariska Hargitay has played Detective Benson since the series’ inception, and audiences have watched her grow into a commanding officer. With 579 episodes, the show dealt with sexual assault and crimes that other procedurals avoided completely. Among the longest-running TV shows, SVU succeeded because Hargitay never phoned it in, and the writing treated every case with seriousness and respect. The show proved that procedurals could be emotionally engaging, not just entertaining through plot twists and cliffhangers.

14. Family Guy (26 years)

• First episode: January 31, 1999
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 8.2 

Who isn’t a fan of this well-acclaimed and one of the longest-running TV shows of all time? Family Guy started in 1999, but Fox canceled it after three seasons because ratings did not impress executives. Fans bought DVDs, the show aired on Cartoon Network, and became a hit that people sought out. Fox brought it back, and it remains strong, with over 500 episodes to date. The show survived cancellation because audiences refused to let it die and continued to seek it out. Family Guy proved passionate fans could keep a show alive, changing how networks thought about loyalty and viewership metrics. 

15. Law & Order (23 years)

• First episode: September 13, 1990
• Last episode: Still airing (revived 2022)
• IMDb rating: 7.7

Law & Order premiered in 1990 and established the format that other procedurals would copy for decades afterward. The original series ended in 2010 after 532 episodes, but it returned to NBC in 2022, as audiences never forgot it. The split format of police investigation, followed by legal prosecution, meant that every episode told a complete story. Law & Order remains effective because its format itself does not grow old or repetitive. The show proved that good storytelling structure matters more than constant character drama or shocking plot twists.

16. NCIS (22 years)

• First episode: September 23, 2003
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.8

NCIS began in 2003 as a spinoff from the military drama JAG and has since grown significantly larger than its parent series. Mark Harmon played Agent Gibbs for nearly two decades, giving the show the stability audiences valued. With 492 episodes, it combined crime-solving with team dynamics that made viewers care about the characters, not just the cases. NCIS became one of the longest-running TV shows by striking a balance between a procedural formula and genuine character development. The show spawned spinoffs set in different locations, proving the format worked anywhere.

17. American Dad! (20 years)

• First episode: February 6, 2005
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.4

American Dad started in 2005 as an adult animation that flew under the radar despite low traditional ratings. The show followed a CIA agent’s absurd life with his family and aliens, blending edgy humor with actual heart. With 448 episodes, it became one of the longest-running TV shows by finding its audience through streaming and syndication. American Dad proved that shows did not need huge networks or massive viewership to survive in the long term. Loyal fans would find it and support it even if mainstream television ignored it.

18. Grey’s Anatomy (20 years)

• First episode: March 27, 2005
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 7.6

Grey’s Anatomy started in 2005 and balanced medical cases with personal drama. Following doctors through surgeries while their lives fell apart, the show proved that medicine alone was not enough. With 466 episodes, it became one of the longest-running TV shows, earning viewers’ deep affection for the characters and their relationships. Grey’s Anatomy showed that procedural shows could have ongoing narrative and real emotional stakes. The formula worked because viewers wanted to follow these doctors through their entire lives, not just their cases.

19. Gunsmoke (20 years)

• First episode: September 10, 1955
• Last episode: March 31, 1975
• IMDb rating: 8.1

Gunsmoke aired from 1955 to 1975 and defined what a Western television show could be for generations of viewers. James Arness played Marshal Dillon for 20 years, building a believable world in Dodge City that felt real and lived in. With 635 episodes, it became successful because it treated the town and its people as worth returning to every week. Gunsmoke demonstrates that the longest-running TV shows can end when tastes change without losing their value or importance. The show proved that quality work does not become worthless just because fashions shift and audiences move on.

20. Bob’s Burgers (14 years)

• First episode: January 9, 2011
• Last episode: Still airing
• IMDb rating: 8.2

Bob’s Burgers started in 2011 and struggled with low ratings until streaming platforms gave it a second home and new life. The animated comedy follows a family that runs a restaurant and navigates real-life family issues and genuine love. With 280 episodes, it achieved success among the longest-running TV shows by slowly building an audience through word of mouth. Bob’s Burgers proved that critics and streaming services mattered more than traditional network viewership numbers ever could. Devoted fans kept the show alive until enough people discovered it, making it worthwhile to keep around.

The Evolution of TV Longevity 

Television wasn’t always designed to last. In the 1950s, networks expected shows to run only a few seasons. However, audiences got attached, and soap operas like General Hospital discovered that daily episodes kept viewers coming back for decades. This era proved longevity was built into specific formats from the start.

The 1970s and 1980s brought different staying power. Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show showed that variety and talk shows could sustain themselves through changing trends and rotating cast members. These programs didn’t need ongoing narratives and offered something people needed every week: laughter, guests, and a sense of being in on the moment.

By the 1990s and 2000s, cable television opened new possibilities. The Simpsons proved animation could hold an audience for decades. Law & Order: SVU demonstrated that procedural dramas could generate endless stories without exhausting viewers.

Then came streaming. Starting around 2015, algorithms began to replace loyal viewing habits, allowing networks to cancel shows more quickly. Yet some of the longest-running TV shows survived because they had already built something more substantial than any platform could offer. Days of Our Lives moved to Peacock, and Law & Order got revived because audiences realized these shows held real cultural value.

What we’ve learned is that shows last because they understand human nature. People want characters they recognize, stories that feel earned, and something to belong to. The longest-running TV shows deliver all of that, regardless of how the world changes.

What Makes a Show Last? Six Key Success Factors

Not every show that debuts becomes the longest-running TV show. Some fade after a season or two, while others endure for decades. The difference comes down to six core elements that separate the survivors from the forgotten.

1. Cast Consistency: Shows that keep their lead actors for years build a bond with audiences. Mariska Hargitay has played Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU since 1999. Viewers get connected to the character and watch them grow older, wiser, and more complex. This continuity creates trust.

2. Adaptability: The best shows evolve without losing their identity. The Simpsons changed its animation style, humor, and cultural references over 36 years. General Hospital shifted from purely romantic storylines to incorporating social issues. They stayed relevant without abandoning what made them work.

3. Loyal Fanbase: Procedural dramas like NCIS and Grey’s Anatomy built audiences that tune in religiously. These viewers aren’t passive. They discuss episodes, share clips, and introduce new generations to the show.

4. Creative Stability: Strong showrunners and writing teams maintain quality. When leadership changes too frequently, shows lose their voice and audiences drift away.

5. Network Commitment: Networks that support shows through lower ratings allow them to find their audience again. Cancellation often comes too early.

6. Format Flexibility: Procedurals work because each episode can tell a complete story. Soap operas thrive on ongoing plots. This structural flexibility lets shows fill airtime naturally without running out of ideas.

The Impact of Long-Running TV Shows

The longest-running TV shows do more than entertain. They become part of how people understand themselves and their families. A show that airs for thirty years reaches multiple generations. Grandparents watched it, then their children, then their grandchildren. That shared experience creates a connection across age groups that nothing else quite matches. These shows also influence culture by showing what society values and what it should examine. When a show tackles relatable issues like addiction or poverty, it matters more because millions see it. Long-standing TV hits provide communities with common ground and become part of conversations about what it means to be alive at a particular moment in time. These shows also prove that quality endures. 

Soap Opera Vs Sitcom

Soap operas are serial dramas focused on ongoing, often melodramatic storylines involving relationships, family drama, and emotional conflicts. They usually air daily or several times a week with continuous plots. Sitcoms (situational comedies) are shorter, typically weekly shows centered around humorous situations with recurring characters and usually feature self-contained episodes. Soap operas rely on long arcs while sitcoms focus on comedy and resolving plots within episodes.

Conclusion

The longest-running TV shows demonstrate that strong characters, relatable stories, and a genuine respect for the audience never go out of style. These series lasted for decades because they built trust and earned loyalty, making viewers feel part of something familiar year after year. When a TV show understands its own heart and connects people across generations, it creates a legacy that matters. 

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