10+
With so many shows getting canceled after just one season it seems like a pipe dream for any television series to even dream of staying on the air for at least 10 seasons. But it has happened quite a few times—more than you might've thought (some shows on the list will probably surprise you as well).
And just to set the ground rules: For this list we are only looking at American Major Network primetime shows, and only scripted series. Okay, let's dive in...
"Chicago Med": 10 Seasons
Aired: November 17, 2015—Present
Dick Wolf's third series in his Chicago franchise is the most recent entrant into the 10-seasons-or-more club. The show made its debut in 2015 and began season 10 in September of 2024. As for the other members of the franchise: Chicago Justice was canceled after one season and the other two...well, we'll get to them a little later on.
Universal Television, Chicago Med (2015-)
"Law & Order: Criminal Intent": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 30, 2001—June 26, 2011
Another Dick Wolf show in another Dick Wolf franchise, this member of the Law & Order-verse saw its ratings start to drop around the sixth season on NBC. However, rather than cancel the show, they moved it to the USA network for season 7 to help share costs, and the Vincent D'Onofrio-starred show chugged along for another four seasons.
Wolf Films, Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011)
"The Blacklist": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 23, 2013—July 13, 2023
James Spader ate up the screen for 10 seasons as the keeper of the titular blacklist on this NBC crime thriller. The show might not have been as good after series co-star Megan Boone left at the end of season 8, but with Spader there, it was still highly watchable for its final two seasons.
Davis Entertainment, The Blacklist (2013–2023)
"Smallville": 10 Seasons
Aired: October 16, 2001—May 13, 2011
This Superman coming-of-age series began its life on the WB in 2001 and after the WB and UPN merged to form the CW, that is where Smallville remained for its final five seasons.
Warner Bros., Smallville (2001-17)
"JAG": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 1, 1995—April 29, 2005
The fact that JAG ran for 10 seasons was extra surprising given where it was at the end of its first season...Canceled. Yup, NBC canceled the show due to poor ratings and it looked like that would be the end of JAG—until CBS came in and picked it up. They ran it as a mid-season replacement, the ratings were good, and the naval legal drama went on to have an impressive 10-season run and gain fans around the world.
"The Goldbergs": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 24, 2013—May 3, 2023
Following The Goldbergs season 3 renewal, the network chief at ABC, Paul Lee, said that he and the network believed that the series would be around for "a long time". And it turns out, he was right.
Sony, The Goldbergs (2013-2023)
"Roseanne": 10 Seasons
Aired: October 18, 1988—May 22, 2018
While Roseanne's initial run was only 9 seasons back from 1988 to '97, you may remember that the series was revived for a 10th season in 2018—and there would've been more had Roseanne Barr not posted a series of tweets that the network deemed "abhorrent [and] repugnant".
The tweets led to ABC cutting ties with Roseanne and retooling the series into The Conners.
"CSI: Miami": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 23, 2002—April 8, 2012
That's over 200 instances of David Caruso lowering his sunglasses and delivering some kind of witty quip as The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" busts in. Okay, so maybe he didn't do it that many times.
"Friends": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 22, 1994—May 6, 2004
Friends was a hit right from the jump and the series became a cultural phenomenon the likes of which few shows ever have. From the haircuts to the quotes, Friends was more than just a TV show—and to this day, it continues to find new fans with every subsequent generation who sits down to stream all 10 seasons.
Warner Bros., Friends (1994-2004)
"Hawaii Five-0": 10 Seasons
Aired: September 20, 2010—April 3, 2020
While the remake didn't run for quite as many seasons as the original (spoiler alert), Hawaii Five-0 was a solid, and pretty consistent, ratings performer for its entire 10-season run on CBS during the 2010s.
K/O Paper Products, Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020)
"Beverly Hills, 90210": 10 Seasons
Aired: October 4, 1990—May 17, 2000
Things didn't start off great for 90210—as the first season saw rather unimpressive viewership numbers. However, in a rather smart programming move, FOX ran a special "summer season" of the show while most everything else on TV was reruns. The numbers went up and the show never looked back.
Propaganda Films, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 - 2000)
"The X-Files": 11 Seasons
Aired: September 10, 1993—March 21, 2018
Had we written this article in 2015, The X-Files would not have made the list—given that its initial run on FOX saw it wind down after nine seasons. However, in 2016, The X-Files came back with a six-episode "event series" that turned into season 10 and was followed up with an 11th, and final season, in 2018.
"7th Heaven": 11 Seasons
Aired: August 26, 1996—May 13, 2007
Along with Buffy and Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven was one of the WB's early hit series that got the network a foothold in the TV landscape in the 90s.
Spelling Television, 7th Heaven (1996–2007)
"Will & Grace": 11 Seasons
Aired: September 21, 1998—April 23, 2020
Will & Grace ran for eight seasons during its first go on NBC—ending in 2006. Fans would then have to wait over a decade, but in 2017, the series was rebooted for a ninth season which led to it getting renewed for a 10th and 11th season as well.
"Modern Family": 11 Seasons
Aired: September 23, 2009—April 8, 2020
Will we ever see another sitcom run for more than 10 seasons? In this day and age, and with the television landscape being what it is, the odds don't seem to be in favor of it. But, it didn't happen too long ago, when Modern Family became the most recent sitcom to pass 10—ending in 2020 with a total of 11 hysterical seasons.
ABC, Modern Family (2009-2020)
"The Jeffersons": 11 Seasons
Aired: January 18, 1975—June 25, 1985
This All in the Family spin-off ran for two seasons longer than the series from which it was spun. George and Louise Jefferson moved on up to the East side and stayed there for 11 seasons until the show was abruptly canceled by CBS without getting a proper series finale. Even Sherman Hemsley had to find out about the cancellation by reading about it in the newspaper.
CBS, The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
"Happy Days": 11 Seasons
Aired: January 15, 1974—September 24, 1984
Happy Days did alright at first, but after a couple seasons, the rating started falling. However, after a retool that broadened the comedy and brought Fonzie to the forefront, the viewership numbers began heading back up—it became the number-one program in television in 1976–1977, and went on to a very nice 11-season run.
Paramount, Happy Days (1974–1984)
"M*A*S*H": 11 Seasons
Aired: September 17, 1972—February 28, 1983
That 11th season series finale remains—to this day—the most watched episode of scripted television that has ever been aired on American television. The episode was 2.5 hours long and was watched by an estimated 121.6 million people.
Twentieth Century, M*A*S*H (1972-83)
"Married... With Children": 11 Seasons
Aired: April 5, 1987—June 9, 1997
It might not have been everyone's cup of tea—but Married... with Children holds an important place in television history as the first primetime series broadcast on the new Fox network (and it remains the longest-running live-action sitcom ever aired on Fox).
Columbia, Married... with Children (1987-1997)
"Murphy Brown": 11 Seasons
Aired: November 14, 1988—December 20, 2018
The series was revived for one season in 2018—but that was its 11th. Murphy Brown had already hit the 10-season mark upon its initial run back in the late 80s and 90s.
Warner Bros., Murphy Brown (1988 - 2018)
"Cheers": 11 Seasons
Aired: September 30, 1982—May 20, 1993
The Cheers premier in 1982 ranked 74th out of 77 shows and was almost canceled before it ever had a chance to shine. But it wasn't canceled, and shine it did—landing in the Nielsen top 10 for eight out of its 11 seasons. The 1993 finale was also the most-watched single TV episode of the 1990s.
"The Danny Thomas Show": 11 Seasons
Aired: September 29, 1953—April 27, 1964
The Danny Thomas Show began on ABC in 1953 as Make Room For Daddy. A series retool for season 4 also came with a name change and when CBS heard that ABC was going to cancel the series, they grabbed it and it was there that The Danny Thomas Show ended its 11-season run.
ABC, The Danny Thomas Show (1953-65)
"Chicago PD": 12 Seasons
Aired: January 8, 2014—present
The second installment in the Chicago franchise is currently in the midst of its 12th season. Currently, there is no news on the fate of the series and a possible 13th season.
Wolf Films, Chicago P.D. (2014-)
"Bones": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 13, 2005—March 28, 2017
Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz's characters solved crimes and fell in love over the course of 12 seasons and 246 episodes of Bones.
Twentieth Century, Bones (2005-17)
"NYPD Blue": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 21, 1993—March 1, 2005
The series was initially built around David Caruso—but became much more of an ensemble after he left during the second season. He left to go be a movie star—but while that didn't pan out for him, the show he left behind became one of the greatest shows network TV has ever produced and ran for 12 seasons.
Twentieth Century, NYPD Blue (1993–2005)
"Two And A Half Men": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 22, 2003—February 19, 2015
When Charlie Sheen had his very public breakdown and was written off the show, there were probably many who figured that Two and a Half Men was going to end with season 8. But instead they brought in Ashton Kutcher and the series continued for four more seasons.
Chuck Lorre Productions, Two and a Half Men (2003–2015)
"Murder, She Wrote": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 30, 1984—May 19, 1996
Who would've thought a show about a sweet old lady solving violent crimes would be such a hit? Well, it was—for 12 seasons. And it also earned Angela Lansbury 12 Emmy nominations (the most for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series).
Universal Television, Murder, She Wrote (1984-96)
"The Big Bang Theory": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 24, 2007—May 16, 2019
Big Bang wasn't a major hit from the jump, but once it caught on, CBS was pretty much going to keep it on the air as long as all the main actors wanted to keep doing it. Twice, the show was renewed for three-year stretches (an almost unheard of act by a network).
Warner Bros., The Big Bang Theory (2007-19)
"Hawaii Five-O": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 26, 1968—April 26, 1980
The original 5-0 ran for two seasons longer than the remake did 30 years later.
CBS, Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980)
"My Three Sons": 12 Seasons
Aired: September 29, 1960—April 13, 1972
My Three Sons aired 380 episodes: 184 in black-and-white and 196 in color.
Paramount, My Three Sons (1960–1972)
"Frasier": 13 Seasons
Aired: September 16, 1993—November 14, 2024
And speaking of Cheers (which we did a little while back), we have to mention the critically-acclaimed spin-off that did another 11 seasons after Cheers ended. Frasier was a huge hit—but the new Frasier revival series wasn't. It aired on Paramount+ for two seasons before getting canceled.
"King Of The Hill": 13 Seasons
Aired: January 12, 1997—May 6, 2010
In 2007, Time magazine named King of the Hill one of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time. There is a planned revival of the series currently in the works.
Deedle-Dee Productions, King of the Hill (1997–2026)
"Chicago Fire": 13 Seasons
Aired: October 10, 2012—present
The one that started it all. Chicago Fire was the first series in what was to become the Chicago Franchise. The series is currently airing its 13th season.
Wolf Films, Chicago Fire (2012-)
"Blue Bloods": 14 Seasons
Aired: September 24, 2010—December 13, 2024
Tom Selleck and that fabulous mustache led the Reagan family to 14 seasons of life lessons and Sunday dinners.
CBS Productions, Blue Bloods (2010-2024)
"NCIS: Los Angeles": 14 Seasons
Aired: September 22, 2009—May 21, 2023
The first spin-off of the OG NCIS series (we'll get to that one later), NCIS: Los Angeles had an impressive 14-season run before saying good-bye in 2023.
CBS Studios, NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023)
"Knots Landing": 14 Seasons
Aired: December 27, 1979—May 13, 1993
Some of us remember a time when primetime soap operas were a thing. And it was during that time when Knots Landing aired its 14 drama-filled seasons. And as some of you may know, Knots Landing was a spin-off of...
"Dallas": 14 Seasons
Aired: April 2, 1978—May 3, 1991
JR Ewing ruled for 14 seasons with all the drama, back-stabbing, and cliffhangers fans wanted. The episode "Who Shot JR?" is still the second-highest-rated primetime telecast ever.
Warner Bros., Dallas (1978-91)
"Bonanza": 14 Seasons
Aired: September 12, 1959—January 16, 1973
The first series on our list to have aired over 400 episodes—Bonanza ran for a total of 432.
"The Adventures of Ozzie And Harriet": 14 Seasons
Aired: October 3, 1952—April 23, 1966
From one 400-episode series to another—The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet gave fans 435 episodes over the course of its 14 seasons (that's the most of any live-action sitcom in the history of American television).
ABC, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-66)
"The Jack Benny Program": 15 Seasons
Aired: October 28, 1950—April 16, 1965
Benny brought his radio program to television and was a staple in America's TV homes for 15 seasons.
CBS, The Jack Benny Program (1950-65)
"Bob's Burgers": 15 Seasons
Aired: January 9, 2011—present
Bob has been making burgers for 15 seasons thus far. While it hasn't yet been renewed for a 16th season, we're thinking the odds are pretty good that it will happen.
Twentieth Century, Bob's Burgers (2011-)
"Supernatural": 15 Seasons
Aired: September 13, 2005—November 19, 2020
It's no urban legend that Supernatural ran for 15 seasons on the WB and the CW.
The CW, Supernatural (2005-2020)
"ER": 15 Seasons
Aired: September 19, 1994—April 2, 2009
One of the best medical dramas of all time, ER won over 120 industry awards over the course of its 15 seasons.
Amblin Television, ER (1994-2006)
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation": 15 Seasons
Aired: October 6, 2000—February 15, 2015
CSI was a massive hit when it premiered and was a top 10 series for 10 of its 15 seasons. It also brought "Who Are You" by The Who back into all of our heads.
CBS, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000/15)
"Criminal Minds": 17 Seasons
Aired: September 22, 2005—present
It ran for 15 seasons during its initial go—ending in 2020. Then, two years later, Paramount+ revived the series for a 16th season and has already renewed it through an 18th.
Paramount, Criminal Minds (2005-)
"Lassie": 19 Seasons
Aired: September 12, 1954—March 21, 1971
19 seasons of Lassie saving kids trapped in wells, from 1954 to 1971.
Lassie Television, Lassie (1954-74)
"Gunsmoke": 20 Seasons
Aired: September 10, 1955—March 31, 1975
There are a few shows that ran for more seasons than Gunsmoke, but no other live-action series has ever aired more episodes. We're talking 635 of them.
"American Dad!": 21 Seasons
Aired: May 1, 2005—present
American Dad! premiered on February 6, 2005, following Super Bowl XXXIX, and has been going strong for 21 seasons since. There has yet to be an official announcement as to a 22nd season.
20th Television, American Dad! (2005-)
"Grey's Anatomy": 21 Seasons
Aired: March 27, 2005—present
Nope, you aren't McDreaming. Grey's Anatomy has been on the air for 21 seasons.
"NCIS": 22 Seasons
Aired: September 23, 2003—present
In February of 2025, NCIS was officially renewed for a 23rd season.
"Family Guy": 23 Seasons
Aired: April 11, 1999—present
After being canceled in 2002, Family Guy's impressive DVD sales and rerun numbers convinced Fox to bring it back—which they did in 2005. And the rest is history.
"Law & Order": 24 Seasons
Aired: September 13, 1990—present
Law & Order had a great 20-season run from 1990 to 2010. Then, 11 years later, it was revived for a 21st season and is now sitting at 24. But that isn't the longest-running series in the L&O franchise...
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit": 26 Seasons
Aired: September 20, 1999—present
Although SVU premiered nine years after the original L&O, it hasn't taken a break since it first aired, and in October of 2024, it began its 26th season.
Wolf Films, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-)
"The Simpsons": 36 Seasons
Aired: December 17, 1989—present
782 episodes...And counting.
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