What is the oldest show that still airs?

The oldest continuously running TV show in the U.S. is NBC's Meet the Press, a news/interview program that debuted in 1947. For scripted series, Disney's The Simpsons is the longest-running animated and scripted show, starting in 1989. Other contenders include BBC's radio drama The Archers (world's oldest drama) and the syndicated game show Wheel of Fortune (since 1975).

What is the oldest TV show still running?

The oldest TV show still running is NBC's news program Meet the Press, which first aired in 1947, making it the longest-running show in American broadcast history and the world, covering politics and current events weekly for over 75 years. Other very long-running shows include Sesame Street (1969) and General Hospital (1963), but Meet the Press holds the overall title for continuous broadcast.
 

What soap opera ran for 72 years?

The 72 year run of the soap opera The Guiding Light ends as its final episode is broadcast. It started on the radio and was the longest running program at the time. Started on NBC Radio and was later a CBS Daytime staple.

What show has 14000 episodes?

On April 23, 2009, General Hospital began broadcasting in high-definition television, making it the first ABC soap opera to make such a transition. The serial aired its 14,000th episode on February 23, 2018.

What is the oldest known TV show?

Television's first drama,The Queen's Messenger, is broadcast from Schenectady, New York station WGY on September 11, 1928.

Comparison: OLDEST People in the World History

What is the oldest TV channel still running?

NBC was formed in 1926 by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) as the first and oldest major broadcast network in the United States. NBC was then owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse, AT&T Corporation and United Fruit Company.

Which is the No. 1 series of All Time?

There's no single "World No. 1" series, but Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The Wire, and Game of Thrones consistently rank at the top across critics' lists (like BBC Culture) and audience ratings (IMDb) for their impact and quality, with Breaking Bad often cited as #1 by users for its storytelling, while The Wire is praised by critics for its depth. For pure viewership/streaming, shows like Stranger Things dominate, while The Simpsons is notable for its longevity.
 

Who is the longest running TV host?

The longest-running TV presenter is Sir David Attenborough, with a career spanning over 71 years as of December 2024, recognized by Guinness World Records for his extensive work as a naturalist and presenter. In the U.S. late-night scene, David Letterman holds the record for longest tenure with 33 years, while Don Francisco holds the variety show record for 60 years in Spanish-language TV. 

What show made the most money?

There isn't one single "highest-earning" show, as profitability varies by era, but The Simpsons is a top contender due to massive syndication and longevity, while SpongeBob SquarePants leads in franchise merchandising (>$15 billion), and modern hits like Game of Thrones and Stranger Things generate huge streaming/global revenue, with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power having the highest per-episode cost ($63.2M). 

What is the longest running TV show still airing in 2025?

The longest-running TV show still airing in 2025 is Meet the Press, a U.S. news program that started in 1947, while the longest-running scripted series is Disney/Fox's The Simpsons, airing since 1989, both holding records for their respective genres globally and in the U.S. 

What is the number one soap opera of all time?

1. Guiding Light. This show took place in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield and centered on the middle class Bauer family. Beginning on radio in 1937, the show chronicled the many lives and loves of the Bauers, the Lewis, the Spauldings, the Coopers and their friends and neighbors in Springfield.

Which soap opera is ending in 2025?

But, as many predicted, the Neighbours revival has been short-lived. Earlier this year, without specifying a reason, Amazon confirmed the series would finish at the end of 2025 - 40 years and more than 9,000 episodes after its television debut.

What is the top 5 longest running TV show in the world?

Longest Running TV Shows

1. The Simpsons. 1989– 857 epsTV-14TV Series. ...
2. Gunsmoke. 1955–1975635 epsTV-PGTV Series. ...
3. Law & Order. 1990– 536 epsTV-14TV Series. ...
4. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. 1999– 586 epsTV-14TV Series. ...
5. Lassie. 1954–1973591 epsTV-GTV Series. ...
6. Family Guy. 1999– 506 epsTV-MATV Series. ...
7. NCIS. ...
8. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

What is the oldest sitcom on TV?

The first American sitcom was “Mary Kay and Johnny,” which debuted in 1947.

What TV show has the most episodes ever?

The TV show with the most episodes ever is the American soap opera Guiding Light, holding the Guinness World Record with over 18,000 episodes (combined radio/TV), while India's Krishi Darshan claims over 16,000 episodes; for scripted primetime, The Simpsons leads in the U.S., but shows like India's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and The Price Is Right also boast thousands of installments.
 

What is the most watched TV series?

The "most watched" TV series varies by metric (live, streaming, all-time), but globally, Game of Thrones dominated viewership during its run, while recent streaming hits include Netflix's Stranger Things and Squid Game, and long-running network shows like NCIS still draw massive audiences; however, children's shows like Bluey are also massive hits in minutes viewed, and China's CCTV Spring Festival Gala holds records for single broadcasts. 

What is the most watched TV episode of all time?

The most-watched TV episode in U.S. history is the series finale of M\*A\*S\*H, titled "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen," which aired in 1983, drawing 105.9 million viewers, remaining the highest-rated telecast ever for a scripted series, though recent Super Bowls and global events like the Moon Landing and the CCTV Spring Festival Gala have higher overall viewership numbers. 

Who got paid $1 million per episode?

Jerry Seinfeld $1 million — Seinfeld Jerry famously turned down more money to end the show on top. Syndication later made this salary look small. Mad About You — Helen Hunt & Paul Reiser $1 million each A rare two-lead deal where both stars cashed in equally at peak popularity.

What is the most expensive TV ever made?

The most expensive TV ever is generally considered the Stuart Hughes Prestige HD Supreme Rose Edition, a bespoke 55-inch HDTV encrusted with 28kg of rose gold and diamonds, valued at around $2.5 million, emphasizing luxury materials over just screen tech, though massive MicroLEDs and outdoor TVs like the C Seed also command huge prices. 

What male actor has been on TV the longest?

Ice-t Reacts to Being Longest-Running Male Actor in TV History (Exclusive) - IMDb.

Who is richer, Jay Leno or David Letterman?

Jay Leno just edges out David Letterman as the richer former late-night host, with an estimated net worth of $450 million—about $50 million more than Letterman's.

What is the most rewatched TV show?

There's no single "most rewatched" show, as it depends on the platform and metric, but top contenders consistently include sitcoms like The Office, Friends, and Gilmore Girls, fantasy/sci-fi like Stranger Things (with huge rewatch stats) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and dramas like Breaking Bad, with anime like Dragon Ball also high on lists. Comfort shows with strong characters and episodic humor, or bingeable series with high stakes, tend to dominate rewatch lists. 

What movie grossed the most?

The highest-grossing movie of all time, unadjusted for inflation, is Avatar (2009), with over $2.9 billion worldwide, followed closely by Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). These blockbusters lead a list dominated by science fiction, superhero, and fantasy films, with Titanic and Star Wars: The Force Awakens also in the top tier.
 

What are considered the best TV shows ever made?

The best TV shows of all time, according to critics and audiences, consistently feature dramas like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The Wire, Mad Men, and Game of Thrones, often praised for complex characters and storytelling; comedies like Seinfeld, The Simpsons, The Office (US), and Cheers; and iconic classics like The Twilight Zone, M\*A\*S\*H, and Friends, with newer hits like Better Call Saul, Chernobyl, and Succession also frequently appearing on top lists.