Some TV shows come and go without leaving much of a mark. Others, though, manage to stick around — not just for a few years, but for decades. They become part of the background noise of life: watched over dinner, talked about at school, or revisited on rainy weekends. The following five shows didn’t just last a long time — they built fanbases, shaped culture, and, in their ways, made history. Here’s a list of the top 5 longest-running TV shows.
1. General Hospital – Since 1963
Even older than Days of Our Lives, General Hospital holds the title as the longest-running American soap opera still on air. It’s been around for so long that it’s hard to imagine daytime TV without it. Over the decades, it’s woven together medical drama, crime storylines, romance, and family sagas into a web that never seems to run out of thread. Famous actors have come and gone, characters have faked deaths more than once, and plots have ranged from heartbreakingly realistic to totally bonkers. Yet somehow, it all works — and fans keep coming back.
2. Grey’s Anatomy – Since 2005
When Grey’s Anatomy premiered in the spring of 2005, no one knew it would become one of TV’s most enduring medical dramas. At first glance, it seemed like just another hospital show. But something about its blend of romance, tragedy, and surgical gore clicked with viewers. Characters have come and gone, but Meredith Grey and the hospital chaos have remained. What’s more impressive is how the show adapts — whether it’s changing its cast, tackling real-world topics, or updating its tone for younger audiences. It’s the rare drama that still feels relevant 20 seasons in.
3. Friends – 1994 to 2004
It might have only lasted ten seasons, but Friends has a kind of longevity that goes beyond episode count. It became the blueprint for every “group of 20-somethings in a big city” show that followed. Even now, people are discovering it for the first time on streaming platforms. The chemistry between the six leads was lightning in a bottle, and the writing balanced absurd comedy with genuine emotion. For many, Friends was more than a show — it was a comfort watch, a shared reference point, and sometimes, even a source of life advice (however questionable).
4. Days of Our Lives – Since 1965
Few shows have survived as long—or seen as many ridiculous twists—as Days of Our Lives. With over 14,000 episodes aired, it’s seen generations of viewers grow up alongside its characters. Some people remember watching it with their grandparents. Others started during summer breaks or sick days, home from school. It’s melodramatic, sure — people come back from the dead, secret twins pop up, and amnesia is a weekly occurrence — but that’s exactly what fans love about it. In recent years, it’s moved from network TV to streaming, proving it’s not afraid to evolve.
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5. The Simpsons – Since 1989
It’s hard to overstate how influential The Simpsons has been. What started as a scrappy animated short on The Tracey Ullman Show back in the late ’80s has become the longest-running scripted primetime show in American television. Now, more than 35 seasons in, it’s still going strong. The humour, the satirical bite, the ever-growing list of guest stars — it all adds up to a series that’s defined not just by animation, but modern comedy in general. Sure, some say the golden years are behind it, but it still draws an audience, and that’s saying something after three decades.
Final Thoughts
Longevity on TV isn’t just about ratings or budgets. It’s about staying relevant, building loyalty, and creating stories that people want to return to. These five shows have done exactly that. Whether you followed them from the beginning or just caught up recently, they’re part of television history — and they’re not done yet.
Writer- Subham Choudhary