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

This is a list of the longest running American 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 American 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 American network television. For those that were in syndication for fewer than ten seasons, see List of longest-running American television series.

List

Series shaded in light blue are currently in production.

25 seasons and up Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number ofepisodes Sesame Street November 10, 1969 present 41 The 700 ClubAired locally on WYAH-TV Portsmouth, Virginia, 1966–1977, syndicated 1972-present; evolved from locally broadcast telethons 1962–1966 April 1, 1966Also simultaneously on CBN/Family/Fox Family/ABC Family nationally since 1977 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)Hosted by Alex Trebek September 10, 1984 present 9,000+ 35 Soul Train October 2, 1971 March 25, 2006Date of airing last first-run episode. Repeats continue to be syndicated as Best of Soul Train 1,117 32 Entertainment Tonight September 14, 1981 present 40 MotorWeekAlso on PBS, 1981-present October 15, 1981 present 31The Maury Povich Show September 9, 1991 September 8, 2022 5,545 31 The McLaughlin Group January 1, 1982 December 25, 2020 29 NFL Films PresentsPresented on ESPN since 1997 and on NFL Network since 2003 1968 1997 America's Black Forum 1977 present 29 At the MoviesTitle 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) 1981 2012 27 DonahueOriginally The Phil Donahue Show November 6, 1967 September 13, 1996 5,515 27The Jerry Springer Show September 30, 1991 July 26, 2018 5,084 26 The David Susskind ShowOriginally Open End; prior to syndication, aired on WNTA-TV 1958–1961 1961 1987 26 Faith for TodayOn ABC 1950–1955; also Westbrook Hospital, 1975–1981 1955 1981 25 Live! with Kelly and RyanOther 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) September 5, 1988Date of first episode distributed nationally; was aired by WABC locally at The Morning Show, 1983–1988 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 Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number ofepisodes 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+ 23Judge Mathis September 13, 1999 May 25, 2023 3,000+ 21 Showtime at the ApolloAlso known as Showtime in Harlem, Showtime, Live in Hollywood September 12, 1987 May 24, 2008 1,093 21 Hee HawOn CBS 1969–1971; renamed Hee Haw Silver for 1992–1993 season ("greatest hits"); reruns aired on The Nashville Network 1992–1997 1971 1992 21 This Week in BaseballOriginal version hosted by Mel Allen (1977–1996), Warner Fusselle (1996), and Ozzie Smith (1997–1998) 1977 1998 21 The Porter Wagoner Show 1960 1981 20 Gunsmoke September 10, 1955 March 31, 1975 635 19 ExtraOriginally Extra:The Entertainment Magazine September 5, 1994 present 19 Entertainers with Byron AllenOriginally Entertainers September 1994 present 18 The Merv Griffin ShowOn NBC 1962–1963; on CBS 1969–1972 1965 1969 April 1972 September 1986 17 Access Hollywood September 9, 1996 present17 Mutual of Omaha's Wild KingdomOriginally on NBC, 1963–1971; revival on Animal Planet, 2002–present 1971 198817 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)Judges: Ed Koch (1997–1999), Jerry Sheindlin (1999–2001), Marilyn Milian (2001-2023) September 8, 1997 July 21, 2023 1,500+16 Kickin' It with Byron AllenEvolved from Jammin, 1991–1994 1994 present 16 Fight Back! with David Horowitz 1976 1992 16 The George Michael Sports Machine September 15, 1991 March 25, 2007 15 Supernatural September 13, 2005 November 19, 2020 32715 That Good Ole Nashville Music 1970 198515 Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures September 1, 1993 May 24, 200815 The Talk October 18, 2010 December 20, 20242,993

10–14 seasons Seasons Series First broadcast Last broadcast Number ofepisodes 14The DoctorsSeptember 8, 2008August 8, 20221,041+ 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 MagazineAired locally on KPIX San Francisco as Evening: The MTWTF Show, 1976–1978 September 1978 January 1, 1991 12 Star SearchEd McMahon's Star Search, 1992–1995 September 10, 1983 May 20, 1995 12 Divorce Court (original series)With Judge Voltaire Perkins 1957 1969 12 The People's Court (original series)With Judge Joseph Wapner 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 11The Wendy Williams Show July 14, 2008 June 17, 2022 1,500+ 11 The Wilburn Brothers Show 1963 1974 354 11 The Lawrence Welk ShowOriginally The Dodge Dancing Party; aired on ABC 1955–1971; reruns have been airing since 1982 on various PBS stations 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 BaywatchOriginally on NBC, 1989–1990 October 1991 May 24, 2001 242 10 SmallvilleSmallville October 16, 2001 May 13, 2011 217 10 Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1 July 27, 1997 March 13, 2007 214

See also List of sitcoms broadcast in first-run syndication List of television programs by episode count List of television series canceled after one episode List of television series canceled before airing an episode List of longest-running American cable television series List of longest-running American broadcast network television series List of longest-running American primetime television series List of longest-running American television series

Notes