Certain TV shows just seem like they’ve been on the air forever. In this age where shows come and go with little fanfare, or are only ever intended to last for a season or two, it’s comforting to know that new episodes of some beloved shows are still being made and don’t appear to be in danger of going anywhere any time soon.
The odds of a TV show being on the air for a very long time are nearly infinitesimally small. First, a pilot needs to be made, and that pilot needs to be deemed good enough for the network to take the risk of ordering a full season. Once that season airs – and after every subsequent season – there’s always the (very real) risk that the show will be canceled. A show can be canceled for countless reasons: the ratings could be too low, the production costs could be too high, the quality could go downhill, the network could want a change in direction, the show could fail to garner critical acclaim or win awards, unforeseen events like strikes can disrupt the filming schedule. And that’s not even to mention increased competition from streaming shows.
However, if a show can beat the odds and stick around for years – or decades – it can secure a rightful place in television history as well as in the hearts and minds of audiences. For today’s purposes, we’re focusing on American TV shows that have been running on cable or network television since their inception (that’s why “Sesame Street,” which moved to HBO Max in 2020, isn’t on the list), and didn’t include any shows that were canceled and later rebooted after a significant amount of time off the air. It’s no surprise that many of these long-running shows are universally beloved, and many are among America’s favorite current TV shows.
Here is the list of the longest-running TV shows still on the air:
Meet the Press
- First aired in: 1947
The longest-running program on American television, NBC’s “Meet the Press” is a straightforward interview show in which prominent leaders (usually political ones) sit down to chat with the moderator. It’s had 12 moderators over the years, starting with creator Martha Roundtree. Other moderators over the years have included Bill Monroe, Tim Russert (the longest-tenured, from 1991-2008), David Gregory and Chuck Todd.
The Tonight Show
- First aired in: 1954
The world’s longest-running talk show, NBC’s “The Tonight Show” has been broadcast since original host Steve Allen essentially invented the format in 1954. He hosted until 1957; subsequent hosts were Jack Paar (1957-1962), Johnny Carson (1962-1992), Jay Leno (1992-2009), Conan O’Brien (2009-2010), Leno again, after much hullabaloo (2010-2014) and current host Jimmy Fallon since 2014.
General Hospital
- First aired in: 1963
The Guinness World Record holder as the longest-running American soap opera in production, “General Hospital” wasn’t the first-ever soap opera (“Guiding Light” holds that honor), but it’s been around the longest. Centered around the drama of the Quartermaine and Spencer families, It’s also the last remaining soap opera airing on ABC. Its defining moment was the 1981 wedding of main couple Luke and Laura, which was witnessed by 30 million viewers.
60 Minutes
- First aired in: 1968
CBS’s flagship newsmagazine, “60 Minutes” is regarded as the most esteemed news show on television, differentiated by its then-novel use of reporter-centered investigative journalism. Created by Don Hewitt and Bill Leonard, the show has included some of America’s most famed journalists as its hosts. These include Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Dan Rather, Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft and Lesley Stahl.
Masterpiece Theatre (now known as Masterpiece)
- First aired in: 1971
An anthology drama series broadcast on PBS, “Masterpiece Theatre” premiered in 1971. It is best known for adaptations of novels and biographies but has also made a name for itself with its original series. In 2008, the word “Theatre” was dropped from the name, and the format was split into three sections: “Masterpiece Classic” (since renamed just “Masterpiece”), “Masterpiece Mystery,” and “Masterpiece Contemporary.”
The Price Is Right
- First aired in: 1972
Come on down! Since 1972, CBS’ “The Price is Right” has invited thousands to play pricing games, spin the big wheel and win the Showcase. Original host Bob Barker presided over the show from 1972 until his 2007 retirement. Drew Carey has been at the helm since then. “The Price is Right” is America’s longest-running game show.
The Young and the Restless
- First aired in: 1973
America’s highest-rated daytime soap opera, “The Young and the Restless” focuses on the lives of families and their businesses in fictional Genoa City. It jump-started the careers of several famous celebrities, including Devid Hasselhoff, Eva Longoria and Tom Selleck.
Saturday Night Live
- First aired in: 1975
America’s most beloved, influential and long-running late-night sketch comedy show, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” exploded onto the scene in 1975. The original cast included soon-to-be celebrities such as Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and John Belushi. Since then, it’s contributed more to pop culture than just about any other TV show. “SNL” has also introduced comedy legends including Bill Murray, Will Ferrell, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Eddie Murphy and Amy Poehler.
Wheel of Fortune
- First aired in: 1975
Created by the legendary Merv Griffin, “Wheel of Fortune” was introduced as a daytime show in 1975. Since the primetime version was introduced in 1982, the show has been hosted by two of TV’s most recognizable faces: Pat Sajak and Vanna White. A simple game show in which contestants fill in the blanks to figure out phrases and win prizes, it’s America’s longest-running syndicated game show. Sajak announced in 2023 that he’ll be retiring in 2024, with Ryan Seacrest slated to replace him.
Late Night
- First aired in: 1982
NBC’s late-night talk and variety show, “Late Night” was created in 1992 to air at 12:35 AM on weeknights, after “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.” Original host David Letterman was given his own earlier show on CBS to compete with Carson’s replacement Jay Leno in 1993. The show was helmed by longtime host Conan O’Brien from 1993 to 2009. Jimmy Fallon stepped in until he took over “The Tonight Show” in 2014, and Seth Meyers has hosted since then.
Jeopardy!
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- First aired in: 1984
ABC’s legendary “answer and question” quiz show, the venerable “Jeopardy!” actually aired as a daytime game show from 1964 to 1975 and again from 1978 to 79. The primetime version we know and love today didn’t premiere until 1984. Host Alex Trebek stood at the podium from its primetime premiere until his unfortunate passing in 2020. After an ill-advised period of auditioning a wide variety of celebrity hosts, Ken Jennings has finally brought some stability back to the show.
The Bold and the Beautiful
- First aired in: 1987
Following the lives and loves of the family of haute couture fashion house icon Eric Forrester, “The Bold and the Beautiful” has been going strong since 1987, with original cast members John McCook and Katherine Kelley Lang still in their lead roles. Even though it’s been on the air for over 30 years, it’s actually the youngest daytime soap opera on the air in the US.
America’s Funniest Home Videos
- First aired in: 1989
The first show to bring what would later become known as viral videos to the masses, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” premiered on ABC in 1989 as a special. It aired its first season a year later. A fun and lighthearted show in which host Bob Saget introduces home videos of people doing funny things (usually unintentionally), it may come as a surprise to some that it’s actually still on the air. Since Saget stepped down as host in 1997, it’s been hosted by John Fugelsang & Daisy Fuentes, Tom Bergeron and Alfonso Ribiero, who’s currently presiding over the show’s 34th season.
The Simpsons
- First aired in: 1989
The most popular and influential cartoon of all time, FOX’s “The Simpsons” premiered in 1989 after first appearing as a series of shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show.” It soon became one of the top pop cultural phenomena of the 1990s. Even though kids aren’t running around shouting “Eat my shorts!” anymore, it’s still going strong after 35 seasons, with all its original cast members and with no sign of slowing down. “The Simpsons” is the all-time record holder for the most episodes of a primetime scripted series.
The Daily Show
- First aired in: 1996
Even though “The Daily Show” is most closely associated with its longest-running host, Jon Stewart, “The Daily Show” first hit the scene in 1996 with former sports broadcaster Craig Kilborn at the helm. Stewart took over in 1999 and turned the show into must-watch nightly TV, especially after 9/11. Trevor Noah took over after Stewart left in 2015. Since his departure in 2022, there’s been a rotating roster of hosts including Stewart returning to the desk to host Monday episodes through the 2024 election.
South Park
- First aired in: 1997
The (frequently R-rated) exploits of four elementary schoolers have proven to be successful comedy fodder for more than 25 years. Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s “South Park” was nearly as influential to pop culture as “The Simpsons” was in its prime. Even though it’s not quite as popular as it once was, it’s still downright hilarious and frequently biting in its satire.
Family Guy
- First aired in: 1999
The dysfunctional Griffin family and their friends and neighbors first appeared on TV immediately after the Super Bowl on January 31, 1999. “Family Guy” is still going strong 22 seasons later, even surviving a cancellation after its third season. The show’s first seasons are some of the funniest in cartoon history, and even though there aren’t as many classic episodes coming out as there were in its prime, Seth MacFarlane’s flagship show is still frequently hilarious. We can’t imagine life without Stewie and Brian.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- First aired in: 1999
Detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler investigated their first crime together in 1999. Even though Stabler (Christopher Meloni) left the show in 2011 after 12 seasons (he’s since re-emerged on spinoff “Law & Order: Organized Crime”), Mariska Hargitay’s Benson is still dusting for prints and tracking down the bad guy all these years later. “SVU” is the only live-action primetime series that debuted in the 1990s and has remained in continuous production. Since 2019 it’s been the longest-running primetime live-action series on American television.
NCIS
- First aired in: 2003
The police procedural that kicked off one of TV’s most successful franchises, “NCIS” (short for “Naval Criminal Investigative Service”) premiered on CBS in 2003 as a spinoff of “JAG.” The show follows a team of special agents as they investigate high-visibility crimes involving the Navy, Marine Corps and their families. A long-running success story, it’s spawned spinoffs “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “NCIS: Hawaii” and “NCIS: Sydney.”
Grey’s Anatomy
- First aired in: 2005
ABC’s longest-running scripted primetime show, medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” became a pop culture phenom upon its 2005 premiere. The series made superstars out of its stars Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, and Katherine Heigl. With the departure of Pompeo after season 19 (she’ll only be appearing in a few episodes of the newest season) the entire original cast has moved on. However, we’re holding out hope that they reunite and it ends up being a TV show that was turned into a movie.