List of Television Series with Longest Runs
In the vast landscape of American television, certain shows have managed to stand the test of time, continuously entertaining audiences for decades. Here's a look at some of the longest-running shows that have shaped the television industry.
"General Hospital," a daytime soap opera, has been a staple since 1963. With over 60 years on air, it holds the record as the longest-running American soap opera. The show, set in the fictional town of Port Charles, weaves daily episodes and continuous storylines that have kept viewers hooked for generations.
In the realm of primetime scripted dramas, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" takes the crown. Premiering in 1999, it has been running for 25+ years as of 2025. Known for its gripping whodunits, the show has maintained its relevance by tackling contemporary social issues.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," a popular game show, also boasts a long run. The American version has been airing since 1999 and has been on for 25+ years. The show's competitive format and the allure of winning a million dollars have kept audiences engaged across decades.
These shows represent different genres: daytime soaps like "General Hospital" have daily episodes and continuous storylines, while primetime dramas like "Law & Order: SVU" focus on weekly episodes with self-contained or serialized plots; game shows like "Millionaire" feature competitive formats that have remained popular across decades.
Other shows that have sustained long runs include "NCIS," which is approaching its 22nd season in 2025, and "Judge Mathis," a court show that has been on since 1999.
Historically, the durability of these shows reflects shifts in television production and audience preferences over decades, with adaptations to new formats, digital platforms, and narrative styles. This contrasts with the "Golden Age of Television" (2000s–2023) where innovation and prestige-driven series sparked a renaissance but many shows were shorter in lifespan.
In context, the longest-running shows today showcase a diverse television heritage, with genres spanning daytime soaps, primetime dramas, and game/court shows, each with distinct historical and cultural influence.
| Show | Genre | Premiere Year | Years Running (2025) | Notes | |----------------------------|---------------------|---------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------| | General Hospital | Soap Opera | 1963 | 62+ | Longest-running American soap opera | | Law & Order: SVU | Primetime Drama | 1999 | 25+ | Longest-running scripted primetime drama | | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Game Show | 1999 | 25+ | Longest-running American version | | NCIS | Crime Drama | 2003 | 18+ | Renewed for season 22 in 2025 | | Judge Mathis | Court Show | 1999 | 22+ | A court show since 1999 |
Other notable mentions include "Family Guy," an animated sitcom that has been airing since 1999, and "Grey's Anatomy," a medical drama that has been airing since 2005. "The Simpsons," an animated sitcom that began airing in 1989, also has over 700 episodes.
These shows, with their enduring popularity, continue to shape the television landscape and provide a rich tapestry of entertainment for viewers.
"The enduring popularity of shows like 'General Hospital', 'Law & Order: SVU', 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', 'NCIS', 'Judge Mathis', 'Family Guy', and 'Grey's Anatomy' has resulted in a diverse television heritage, offering a variety of genres such as daytime soaps, prime-time dramas, game shows, crime dramas, and animated sitcoms."
"Spanning decades, these shows, with over 60 years for 'General Hospital' and 25+ years for shows like 'Law & Order: SVU' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', have not only shaped the television industry but also provided a rich tapestry of entertainment for viewers, continuously entertaining audiences for generations."
