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length of service is something most small - sieve series aspire to , and thelongest - running television receiver shows everhave rack up an unbelievable issue of years on the airwave to hold the claim . Some shows have been run so long that they ’re enjoyed by multiple generation of the same family . For any show released in the last year to brook a chance of making the list , it ’d have to stay on - air until the 2050s . From children ’s shows to daylight television , there are plenty of examples of series that have kept running through the decades , becoming goggle box icons in their own right .
The doubtfulness of what is the longest video show depend largely on which types of shows are included . Many news and sports political program , such asMeet the PressorMonday Night Football , have run away for decade . However , they could also go on indefinitely , so they are n’t the same as scripted programme , grade by the amount of time from their first episode to their last ( or the present day , in the case of still - on-going show ) . This year , there are many series that continue to sum up to their ever - growing bit of yearson the line , including some border on seven decade since airing .
40NCIS - 22+ Years
2023-Present
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In the 1990s , JAGwas a very pop military procedural show , and it terminate up producing a back door original for a fresh show calledNCIS . What few could have expected at the prison term was thatNCISwould not only dwarf the show it spun off from but cease up as one of the longest - running TV display of all time . NCIStells the story of the special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Servicewho batch with crimes involving military personnel office . The show became a monumental hit thanks to its cast of characters , take by Mark Harmon .
NCISis among the longest - running scripted springy - action TV show currently airing .
In 2025,NCISis among the longest - running scripted live - action TV shows currently airing , behind only the twoLaw & Orderseries . It took a petty while to discover its feet , but it was the most - watched show on television for several seasons and spawned a dealership , including series set in New Orleans , Hawai’i , Los Angeles , and most recently , a prequel series that showed how Harmon ’s Gibbs get his start with NCIS . While popular , it only receive three Primetime Emmy Award nominations .
39Curb Your Enthusiasm - 23 Years
1999-2024
stamp down Your Enthusiasm is a Comedy television set show created by Larry David , the same creative head behind the wildly popular situation comedy , Seinfeld . Starring Larry David himself , along with Cheryl Hines , and Jeff Garlin , the show behave as a semi - fictionalize expression at Larry ’s every day life and the people he would come in contact with .
As if creating one of thebest sitcoms of all timewithSeinfeldwas not enough , Larry David then resolve to make another television classic to follow , this time stepping in front of the camera as well . Curb Your Enthusiasmfollows a fictional interlingual rendition of Larry David , with each installment plainly following him as he happen one plaguey social situation after another or make a new enemy with his cranky conduct .
Part of the reasonCurb Your Enthusiasmmanaged to become one of the longest - running display of all clock time was because it would take long hiatuses in between seasons . compare to other longsighted - run show , Curb Your Enthusiasm ’s 12 season and 120 episodes might not seem like a plenty . However , the serial was able to remain hilarious from start out to terminate , with David fully embracing his persona as one of the most unlikable protagonists on television .
38The X-Files - 24 years
1993-2018
The X - Fileswas a phenomenon when it initially aired on Fox . This is because it premiere on Friday nights , usually a death slot for TV shows , and ended up bringing in almost 12 million viewers per episode on that night . Even when Fox motivate it to Sunday night , another problematic night for viewership , it continued to bring in over 10 million viewers until its final 9th season in 2001.The series followed Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as two FBI investigators who carry on in paranormal cases .
The serial is a spin on the melodic theme of the old anthology series likeThe Twilight Zonebut with a running alien conspiracy plot line as its backbone . It was picture likeThe X - Filesthat ensure that later series likeSupernaturalcould find success with similar root . The franchise then extended its run with movie and then had a revival in 2016 , where two more seasons were added to the show , with original stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning to their roles .
37Hee Haw - 24 Years
1969-1993
Hee Hawwas one of the longest - flow variety show in television story , transmit from 1969 through 1993 for a total of 26 seasons . The series was a comedyvariety show based around country medicine with jokes focus on around that composition , from the fictional " Kornfield Kounty . " The cast ended up extremely popular in the Midwest specially , with country music superstars Roy Clark and Buck Owens as the primary musical host . However , the corroborate cast was also one that fans fell in love with for different grounds .
Minnie Pearl , with her openhanded hat with the price tag still hanging from them , was a fashion icon .
Minnie Pearl , with her heavy hats with the price shred still hanging from them , was a fashion icon for many years . Grandpa Jones ( Louis Jones ) was also a hugely democratic quality on the show and is actually part of the Country Music Hall of Fame as a banjo player . With recurring sketches ( " PFFT ! You Was conk out , " " Lulu ’s Truck Stop , " " Gloom , Despair , and Agony On Me , " and " The Haystack " among the most memorable ) , the show still airs in reruns and has been referenced onThe Simpsons , The Critic , and more .
36Arthur - 25 Years
1996-2022
Arthur is a democratic ' ninety animated series free-base on Marc Brown ’s series of books . Arthur Read , an humanlike aardvark in the beginning sound by Michael Yarmush , is the main character of the serial publication , who pilot liveliness as a third - grader while dealing with his sassy sister DW . The popular PBS series lasted for 25 time of year but was cancel in 2021 .
Arthurmight be a rather retiring kids show compare to everything else that is out there , but it maintained strong popularity for decade and is remembered as a classic for many youngsters . The animated series follow the titular character , an ant bear who lives with his mother , father , and minuscule sister while going to school with his colorful grouping of friend .
In its 25 - twelvemonth political campaign , Arthurwas able to inflate into TV picture as well as a spinoff series . However , the show always maintained its relatively broken - cay approach , with a anchor world and stories that were not to a fault sporty . However , like all good children ’s shows , each episode ofArthursought to teach the young audience something Modern and even addressed some heavier issue . However , with its magical characters , it always continue a lighthearted good time for the whole family .
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35Family Guy - 26+ Years
1999-Present
The Simpsonsremains the longest - running premier time animated TV show in history . WhileFamily Guyis a decade behind that popular series , its streamlet has been no less telling . That is because Fox really canceledFamily Guyafter just three seasons . FOX then sell the three seasons to Cartoon connection , and it became one of the most - watched show on that meshwork . The loge lot of the first two time of year ended up as the most - sold DVD TV bent of all time , and Fox realized they had made a error and brought the show back .
The grownup revive series now has 23 season and counting and well over 400 episode . The show follows a dysfunctional fellowship , which include a talking dog and a diabolical baby intent on one day call for over the world . With rapid - fervency pop civilization jocularity , meta - humor , and slapstick action scenes , the serial has remained popular throughout the years and just different enough from similar show in the same musical style to always seem fresh even after such a foresighted run .
34Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - 26+ Years
Law & Order : SVUdid something astonishing with its discharge on NBC . While there have been spinoffs that prove superior to their predecessors ( NCISandJAGare great instance ) , whatSVUdid was telling . It was a spinoff from the originalLaw & Orderand initially outlasted the original series . When NBC canceledLaw & Order , SVUkept goingand ended up surpassing the archetype in entire season . While NBC bring back the original later and continued it , SVUnow has two more seasons than the show it followed .
Mariska Hargitay played the lead through every season .
The main difference betweenLaw & Order : SVUandLaw & Orderis that the spinoff contingent mostly sex crimes , whether it is ravishment , murder , or predatory . Many episodes are influenced by veridical - biography case , and they are mostly more disturbing thanks to the sexual aspects . However , what made the show so democratic was the mold , with Mariska Hargitay as the lead through every season , Christopher Meloni as her partner for the first one-half , and names like Ice - T and Richard Belzer providing great supporting runs .
33The Edge Of Night - 28 Years
1956-1984
The Edge of Night is a daytime drama serial publication that originally aired from 1956 to 1984 . specify in the fancied township of Monticello , the show revolves around the mysteries and romantic entanglements of its house physician , initially focusing on the trials of lawyer Mike Karr and his clients .
The soap operaThe Edge of Nightaired for 28 years and even live a cancelation by one internet to dally on for nine more seasons on a rival web . Originally , TheEdge of Nightaired on CBS and premier in 1956 . The soap premiered alongsideAs the World Turnsand both shows end up as huge achiever stories .
The focus was not on romance and love stories but was instead paint as a mystery series , based on the character of stories tell inPerry Masondetective novel . It focused on crime stories more than any other soap of its time . The serial had some very recognizable faces in its cast over the old age , include names like Dixie Carter , Kate Capshaw , Marcia Cross , Scott Glenn , Julianne Moore , Bebe Neuwirth , and John Travolta .
The series was canceled in 1975 when CBS madeAs the World Turnsone minute and consideredThe Edge of Nightto be spendable . ABC wanted a newfangled soap and opt to pick upThe border of Nightand add up it to their day-after-day docket , and it did n’t miss a rhythm . ABC finally ended the show in 1984 .
32Love Of Life - 29 Years
1951-1980
Love of Life is a daytime soap opera that originally aired from 1951 to 1980 . The show follows the life of two sisters , Meg and Vanessa , as they navigate love , kinsfolk , and relationships in the fictional town of Rosehill , New York .
create by Roy Winsor ( Search for Tomorrow ) , the daytime soap operaLove of Lifewas unlike most other liquid ecstasy on TV . Since American Home Products possess the max , it aired with American Home Product commercials before and after the show rather than having commercial breaks during the episodes by the internet . With that said , it still air on CBS and go for 29 years and 7,315 episodes . The series was a morality tale about two babe , one goodness and the other bad , and their relationship .
Christopher Reeve asterisk inLove of Lifeas Ben Harper seven years before play Superman .
However , soon the soap phased out the bad sister Meg , and it turn into more of a canonic soap opera house with love stories , tragical deaths , perfidy , and more . The soap had some cock-a-hoop names on it , with John Aniston ( who go on to bigger renown as Victor Kiriakis onDays of Our Lives ) , Peggy McCay ( who went today of Our Livesas Caroline Brady ) , and the first man to play Superman in a big screen picture show , Christopher Reeve . The last episode ofLove of Lifeended on a cliffhanger , which was never resolve .
31The Phil Donahue Show - 29 Years
1967-1996
The Phil Donahue Show is a television talk show hosted by Phil Donahue that premiered in 1967 . The show features discussions on various topics , including political sympathies , social issue , and human interestingness story , with a focal point on interactively plight with the studio audience . Donahue ’s conversational trend and willingness to undertake controversial subject helped establish the show as a pioneering format in daytime television .
Today , daytime talk of the town shows are often about controversy or fame discussions . However , at one time , the daytime talk of the town show host strike the sentence to discuss serious issues without over - the - top arguments and fights between the guests . Before shows with server like Sally Jessy Raphel and Oprah Winfrey shook thing up , The Phil Donahue Showwas a staple fiber of daytime television offering a serious feel at issues people cover with every day . This is becauseDonahue was a newsworthiness reporter who require to do something bigger .
He even helped present hip joint - hop culture to the land on daytime television receiver for the first clock time
Curb Your Enthusiasm is a Comedy television show created by Larry David, the same creative mind behind the wildly popular sitcom, Seinfeld. Starring Larry David himself, along with Cheryl Hines, and Jeff Garlin, the show acts as a semi-fictionalized look at Larry’s every day life and the people he would come in contact with.
The Phil Donahue Showstarted airing in 1967 on limited telly stations before becoming nationally syndicate in 1970.Donahue focalise on one guest or issue for the show ’s entire hr and offered the audience a chance to involve interrogation . He wreak an atheist onto the show , a rarity for that era ( he was a practicing Catholic ) , a doctor who blab out about body oral communication on TV for the first time , and he even help inclose pelvis - hop culture to the land on daytime television set for the first time . After 29 years , he terminate his show in 1996 .
Arthur is a popular ’90s animated series based on Marc Brown’s series of books. Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark originally voiced by Michael Yarmush, is the main character of the series, who navigates life as a third-grader while dealing with his sassy sister DW. The popular PBS series lasted for 25 seasons but was canceled in 2021.
The Edge of Night is a daytime drama series that originally aired from 1956 to 1984. Set in the fictional town of Monticello, the show revolves around the mysteries and romantic entanglements of its residents, initially focusing on the trials of lawyer Mike Karr and his clients.
Love of Life is a daytime soap opera that originally aired from 1951 to 1980. The show follows the lives of two sisters, Meg and Vanessa, as they navigate love, family, and relationships in the fictional town of Rosehill, New York.
The Phil Donahue Show is a television talk show hosted by Phil Donahue that premiered in 1967. The show features discussions on various topics, including politics, social issues, and human interest stories, with a focus on interactively engaging with the studio audience. Donahue’s conversational style and willingness to tackle controversial subjects helped establish the show as a pioneering format in daytime television.
