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

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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 American television series.

List

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Series shaded in light blue are currently in production.

25 seasons and up

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Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes
54 Sesame Street November 10, 1969 present 4701[note 1]
41 The 700 Club[1] April 1, 1966[2] present
41 Divorce Court 1957 present 5,767+
38 The People's Court September 14, 1981 July 21, 2023
40 Wheel of Fortune September 19, 1983 present 7,000+
39 Jeopardy! (revival series)[3] September 10, 1984 present 9,000+
35 Soul Train October 2, 1971 March 25, 2006[4] 1,117
32 Entertainment Tonight September 14, 1981 present
40 MotorWeek[5] October 15, 1981 present
31 The Maury Povich Show September 9, 1991 September 8, 2022 5,545
31 The McLaughlin Group January 1, 1982 December 25, 2020
29 NFL Films Presents[6] 1968 1997
29 America's Black Forum 1977 present
29 At the Movies[7] 1981 2012
27 Donahue[8] November 6, 1967 September 13, 1996 5,515
27 The Jerry Springer Show September 30, 1991 July 26, 2018 5,084
26 The David Susskind Show[9] 1961 1987
26 Faith for Today[10] 1955 1981
25 Live! with Kelly and Ryan[11] September 5, 1988[12] present 7,580+
25 Inside Edition October 9, 1988 present 6,625+
25 Insight October 2, 1960 January 21, 1985 250
25 The Oprah Winfrey Show September 8, 1986 May 25, 2011 4,561
25 Judge Judy September 16, 1996 July 23, 2021 6,280

15–24 seasons

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Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes
23 Death Valley Days March 1, 1952 August 1, 1975 558
23 Family Feud (second revival series) September 20, 1999 present 2,390
23 Divorce Court (revival series) September 5, 1999 present 2,076+
23 Judge Mathis September 13, 1999 May 25, 2023 3,000+
21 Showtime at the Apollo[13] September 12, 1987 May 24, 2008 1,093
21 Hee Haw[14] 1971 1992
21 This Week in Baseball[15] 1977 1998
21 The Porter Wagoner Show 1960 1981
20 Gunsmoke September 10, 1955 March 31, 1975 635
19 Extra[16] September 5, 1994 present
19 Entertainers with Byron Allen[17] September 1994 present
18 The Merv Griffin Show[18] 1965 1969
April 1972 September 1986
17 Access Hollywood September 9, 1996 present
17 Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom[19] 1971 1988
17 The Montel Williams Show June 24, 1991 May 16, 2008 4,325
16 Dr. Phil September 16, 2002 May 25, 2023 1,671
16 The People's Court (revival series)[20] September 8, 1997 July 21, 2023 1,500+
16 Kickin' It with Byron Allen[21] 1994 present
16 Fight Back! with David Horowitz 1976 1992
16 The George Michael Sports Machine[22] September 15, 1991 March 25, 2007
15 Supernatural September 13, 2005 November 19, 2020[23] 327
15 That Good Ole Nashville Music 1970 1985
15 Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures September 1, 1993 May 24, 2008

10–14 seasons

[edit]
Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number of
episodes
14 The Doctors September 8, 2008 August 8, 2022 1,041+
14 Family Feud (second revival series) September 20, 1999 present 2,390
14 Divorce Court (revival series) September 5, 1999 present 2,076+
14 The Jack LaLanne Show 1956 1970
13 The Ellen DeGeneres Show September 8, 2003 May 26, 2022 3,294
13 Cheaters October 2, 2000 August 30, 2021 264
13 PM Magazine[24] September 1978 January 1, 1991
12 Star Search[25] September 10, 1983 May 20, 1995
12 Divorce Court (original series)[26] 1957 1969
12 The People's Court (original series)[27] September 14, 1981 May 28, 1993 2,484
12 Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous January 1984 September 1996
12 The Jenny Jones Show September 16, 1991 September 12, 2003
12 America's Court with Judge Ross September 20, 2010 present
11 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire September 16, 2002 May 31, 2019 1,950
11 The Wendy Williams Show July 14, 2008 June 17, 2022 1,500+
11 The Wilburn Brothers Show 1963 1974 354
11 The Lawrence Welk Show[28] 1971 February 1982
11 Love Connection September 12, 1983 July 1, 1994
11 Geraldo 1987 1998
11 Martha Stewart Living 1993 2004
11 Paula's Home Cooking 2002 2013 123
11 Ricki Lake September 13, 1993 August 27, 2004
10 A Current Affair July 28, 1986 September 1996
10 Hard Copy September 18, 1989 April 26, 1999 2159
10 Baywatch[29] October 1991 May 24, 2001 242
10 Smallville[30] October 16, 2001 May 13, 2011 217
10 Stargate SG-1[31] July 27, 1997 March 13, 2007 214

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Season 44 (2013–2014) was the first time episodes were numbered in a seasonal order rather than the numerical and chronological fashion used since the show premiered. For example, episode 4401 means "the first episode of the 44th season", not "the 4401st episode" (it is in fact the 4328th episode).
  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! With Kelly (2011-2012, 2016-2017), and Live! With Kelly and Michael (2012-2016)
  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. ^ Maynard, John (2006-11-17). "George Michael to Drop Anchor Chores, Continue Weekend Sports Panel Shows". ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  23. ^ "Carry On". IMDB. Retrieved 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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