- List of top 6 long-lasting TV programs worldwide
- ‘Eat Bulaga’ is the only Philippine television program included in the ranking
- Some programs listed have already concluded while others still air their shows
Ever since television made programs being featured, the same has been an inescapable part of our daily lives. We depend on it for entertainment, news, education, culture, weather, sports, and even music.
As the demand is becoming high, supply for new shows are always given. This entails that viewers tend to look for uniquely made stunts and stories and that is why, if shows do not anymore rate, it will then be replaced by another.
However, these top 6 longest-running television programs proved that shows can last for years.
1. Guiding Light
First in rank is ‘Guiding Light,’ an American television soap opera broadcast on CBS for 57 years with 15,762 episodes from June 30, 1952 until September 18, 2009. It also had a radio broadcast from 1937 to 1956, which overall, with an uninterrupted radio and television runs, had been already been serving for 72 years.
The soap takes place in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield. In its early years, the stories centered on the middle-class Bauer family, but later the wealthy Spauldings, Chamberlains, and Lewises, along with the working class Reardons, and others took their own places of prominence, though the Bauers remained the heart of the show.
2. General Hospital
Second is ‘General Hospital,’ an American daytime television medical drama. It premiered on the ABC television network on April 1, 1963 and is still running on TV screens with 14, 242 episodes and 56 seasons.
It is a story about families, friends, enemies, and lovers experience life-changing events in the large upstate New York city of Port Charles, which has a busy hospital, upscale hotel, cozy diner, and dangerous waterfront frequented by the criminal underworld.
3. As the World Turns
Third is ‘As the World Turns,’ an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010 and already created a total of 13,858 episodes.
The show takes set in the fictional town of Oakdale and the story focuses on the relationships and difficulties of its inhabitants.
4. Days of Our Lives
Fourth is ‘Days of Our Lives,’ an American daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It premiered with 54 seasons and 13,508 episodes as it started on Nov. 8, 1965 and is still currently running. It is a chronicle of the lives, loves, trials, and tribulations of the citizens of the fictional city of Salem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyRroebz-MQ
It is originally concerned with the lives of the Horton family but throughout the show’s long run, the sagas of additional families, such as the Bradys and DiMeras, were introduced.
5. The Tonight Show
Fifth is ‘The Tonight Show,’ an American late-night talk show which started on September 27, 1954 and is still airing till today. As of date, it already has 12,278 episodes with 64 seasons.
The series has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Fallon, and had several recurring guest hosts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zbTz8Ba-k
It is an interim version of the talk show that aired between the departure of Jack Paar and the arrival of Johnny Carson.
6. Eat Bulaga
Finally, sixth is ‘Eat Bulaga,’ the only Philippine show that is included in the longest-running TV Programs list worldwide. It first premiered on July 30, 1979 and is still currently running on our television screens, already creating a total of 39 seasons.
he show is produced by Television And Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE) and is hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon. The show first premiered on RPN-9 from 1979 to 1989, and after 10 years it transferred to ABS-CBN Network from 1989 to 1995 and lasted for seven years. It then again moved to GMA Network where it has been with the network for 24 years already.
This then comes to show that television programs can last a long period of time on the TV screens. It just needs the right storyline or setup, then it is good to last as long. If it keeps the viewers entertained, it will surely stay long.
