While long-running television shows aren’t too uncommon, many eventually come to an end.

Which ones really stood the test of time though?

Are there any shows that stretch back more than half a century?

Screenshot of Ed, Edd, and Eddy showing Double D with a pig in Eddy’s clothes.

Here, we are going to take a look at some of the longest-running television shows out there.

This list is presented in no particular order.

8General Hospital

Start Date

April 1, 1963

End Date

Still airing!

Naru holds a bow in front of her while walking through fog, a Hunter rides on a Seikret, Mason Weaver and James Conrad stand together in front of a giant skull.

Episode Count

15,000+

Of course, it only makes sense to start our list with a soap opera.

General Hospital, as its name implies, takes place in a hospital.

Throughout the years, General Hospital has seen Elizabeth Taylor, George Takei, and James Franco.

Split image of Peacemaker, The Batman, and Watchmen.

Interestingly, the show was originally slated for 13 pilot episodes.

Since then, over 10,000 more have aired, making it one of the longest-running shows out there.

Overall, Coronation Street has made quite an impact.

General Hospital, The Simpsons and Law and Order.

Did you know that the music video for I Want to Break Free (Queen) parodies the show?

6Unser Sandmannchen

November 22, 1959

22,200+

Unser Sandmannchen is a German stop-motion children’s show.

This is the longest-running animated show, as well as in general.

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While Unser Sandmannchen doesn’t pack in the drama, it’s a staple for many young children.

Until 1991, Unser Sandmannchen has two versions; one for East Germany, and one for West Germany.

Still, we can’t forget this absolutely icon cartoon when talking about the longest-running television shows.

A character in a hospital bed from General Hospital.

Unlike live-action shows, animated shows can preserve the characters pretty much forever.

It also happens to be the only show that began as a radio show.

Back in the 1930s, Irna Phillips had a stillborn baby and turned to radio sermons.

Millie Gibson in her role for Coronation Street.

This served as the inspiration for Guiding Light, so the radio version had a religious theme.

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Overall, Days of our Lives has been parodied many times since its debut.

A screenshot from unser sandmännchen.

This manga mainly focused on everyday life, giving it a very nostalgic vibe when viewed in 2025.

Sazae-san has held this timeslot since 1969, which spawned “Sazae-san syndrome”.

This is the melancholy/anticipation of Monday that you feel on Sunday evenings.

The Simpsons sitting in front of a TV.

Many even consider Sazae-san the national anime of Japan!

Law and Order has spawned a lot of spin-offs over the years.

The spin-off Law and Order: Special Victims Unit has a whopping 566+ episodes.

Characters from Guiding Light posing together.

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Characters posing from Days of our Lives.

Characters from Sazae-san in front of a house.

The cast of Law and Order posing together.