This is a list of the longest-running television shows across all countries and categories. To be included, a programme must have been broadcast for at least 50 years.
Programmes with a shaded background indicate that it is no longer in production. YearsCategoryShow nameCountryDurationChannel/networkEpisodes87Outside broadcastLord Mayor's Show United Kingdom1937–1938, 1946–present (not broadcast during WW2 1939–1945)BBC Television Service, BBC One78Sports outside broadcastThe Championships, Wimbledon United Kingdom1937, 1939, 1946–2019, 2021–present (not played during World War II, nor in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns)BBC Television Service, BBC One/Two77News showMeet the Press United States1947–presentNBC4,946+76NewscastCBS Evening News United States1948–presentCBS16,400+77Religious programMusic & the Spoken Word United States1949–presentKSL-TV5,053 (as of July 19, 2026)75Religious programLe Jour du Seigneur France1949–presentTF1 (1949–87) France 2 (since 1987)74Sports showHockey Night in Canada Canada1952–present CBC (since 1952), City/Sportsnet (2014–2026), CTV (1965–1975)71Sports magazine showLa Domenica Sportiva Italy1953–presentRAI3,318 ()Music talent showNHK Nodo Jiman Japan1953–presentNHK2,900 ()Current affairs seriesPanorama United Kingdom1953–presentBBC One70Talk showThe Tonight Show United States1954–presentNBC69Song contestSanremo Music Festival Italy1955–presentRAI (radio broadcast since 1951, TV broadcast since 1955)Annual live international beauty pageantMiss Universe United States1955–presentCBS, NBC, FOX73Annual live national beauty pageantMiss America United States1955–presentABC, NBC, CBS96 (102)68Song contestEurovision Song Contest Various participating countries1956–2019,2021–presentEuropean Broadcasting UnionThe most recent contest (2025) took place in Basel, Switzerland67Science showThe Sky at Night United Kingdom1957–presentBBC One, BBC Four804 ()News showTelediario Spain1957–presentTVEChildren's showBlue Peter United Kingdom1958–presentBBC One, CBBC5,000 ()66Agriculture informationPlodovi zemlje Croatia1958–presentHRT 11900 (as of 14 March 2017)65AnimatedSandmännchen Germany1959–presentDeutscher Fernsehfunk, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg22,200News showTelejornal Portugal1959–presentRTP 1Soap operaCoronation Street United Kingdom1960–presentITV10000+63ComedyKVN Soviet Union (1961–1991) Russia (1991–present)1961–presentChannel One Russia, KVN TVTV feedback showPoints of View United Kingdom1961–presentBBC One, BBC TwoQuiz showIt's Academic United States1961–present62Song contestFestivali i Këngës Albania1962–presentRTSH62Medicine talk showTrupi dhe Shëndeti Albania1962–presentRTSH1000+61Science fictionDoctor Who United Kingdom1963–1989, 1996, 2005–presentBBC One875 (as of 25 December 2023)61Variety showPrograma Silvio Santos Brazil1963–presentSBT3000+60Music Chart showTop of the Pops United Kingdom1964–2006; Christmas shows only 2006–presentBBC One, BBC Two2,219DocumentaryFour Corners Australia1961–presentAustralian Broadcasting Corporation58Agriculture informationCountry Calendar New Zealand1966–present59Game showDes chiffres et des lettres France1965–2024France 2 (1965–2006) France 3 (since 2006)20,000 ()58Children's show (preschool)Play School Australia1966–presentAustralian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)4,500+58Comedy specialÁramótaskaupið Iceland1966–presentRíkisútvarpið5656Talk ShowAlmorzando Con Juana Argentina1968-presenteltrece56Variety showSúper Sábado Sensacional Venezuela1968–presentRCTV (1968–1972), Venevisión (1972–present)2,800+55Anime for kidsSazae-san Japan1969–presentFuji Television7000+Kids EducationalSesame Street United States1969–presentNET (1969–1970), PBS (1970–), HBO (2016–2020), HBO Max (2020–)4000+54Police proceduralTatort Germany1970–presentDas Erste1,136 ()51Sketch comedy showRadio Rochela Venezuela1959–2010RCTV2,65250Soap opera Pobol y Cwm Wales1974–presentBBC Cymru (19741982), S4C (1982present)
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