It’s always exciting when popular series are renewed for new seasons, although some shows manage to quietly slip under the radar and remain on the air long past the point of their peak relevance. This can be a sign of a loyal fanbase and strong writing, as, although not everybody may be checking out the newest season, there’s obviously enough viewership for networks to greenlight more episodes. This has occurred with clever panel shows, cult sitcoms, and even family-friendly favorites that have stayed on the air for decades on end.
Some of the best TV shows of all time have had serious long runs, as animated classics like The Simpsons and omnipresent soap operas like General Hospital feel like they might outlive us all. However, there are lots of lesser-known examples of TV shows that have run well past the point anyone thought they would, and many would be shocked to find out they were still on the air. Whether for better or worse, all of these TV shows have continued, with new episodes being made right up to this day.
10 QI (2003 – Present)
22 Seasons
The panel game show QI gained a reputation as one of the smartest shows on British television. Its focus on obscure facts, little-known data, and common misconceptions made it truly quite interesting. With Stephen Fry as the original host, along with permanent panelist Alan Davies and a rotating cast of celebrity guests, QI stood out as a clever and engaging antidote to all the other crude and dumbed-down series across UK TV. QI first premiered in 2003, although many might not realize that the show has continued to this day, even following the departure of Stephen Fry in 2016.
Instead, QI is now hosted by Sandi Toksvig, who acts as a worthy successor to Fry’s inquisitive and curious nature. Davies has remained on board as a consistent panelist, and QI remains an enjoyable series that stands in opposition to the broad and anti-intellectualist attitude of lowest common denominator comedy programming. As a show airing on the public broadcaster channel BBC Two, QI achieves its mission of entertaining and informing in equal measure, and long may it continue for years to come.
9 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005 – Present)
16 Seasons
The offbeat and outrageous sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been going strong for nearly 20 years now and has run for more seasons than any other American live-action sitcom. As a cult comedy show that’s built up a loyal following, those passionate about television will be well aware of Always Sunny’s continued existence, although more casual viewers might be shocked to hear that it racked up 170 episodes and has been continually renewed every year since 2005.
By leaning into its unique style and allowing the characters to become more deranged with each subsequent season, Always Sunny has stayed interesting all this time. From the slow build-up of Mac realizing the true nature of his sexuality to the eroding lifestyle of the once-devoted priest Rickety Cricket, Always Sunny has managed to maintain its fresh feeling while so many other sitcoms went downhill once their seasons hit double digits. Perhaps Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton’s deep involvement in the writing and production of the series was responsible for keeping the spark alive.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a Sitcom and Black Comedy created by Rob McElhenney. It stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton, and Danny DeVito. The series follows a group of friends that own and frequent the Irish bar, Paddy’s Pub, and get into all sorts of troubling adventures.
- Release Date
- August 4, 2005
- Seasons
- 16
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- Writers
- Rob McElhenney , Glenn Howerton , Charlie Day , David Hornsby
- Directors
- Matt Shakman , Fred Savage , Daniel Attias , Randall Einhorn , Richie Keen , Todd Biermann
- Showrunner
- Rob McElhenney
8 Pokémon (1997 – Present)
27 Seasons
While anyone who grew up during the 1990s will be well aware of the cultural phenomenon of Pokémon, they may be shocked to learn that the show never went off the air. What started as an anime adaptation of the Nintendo video game series has ballooned into a massive multimedia franchise complete with spin-off shows, movies, and practically any kind of merchandising a viewer can imagine. While the original episodes saw Ash Ketchum taking part in the Indigo League, he’s since traversed the sprawling world of Pokémon in over 1300 episodes.
Over the course of hundreds of episodes, anime lovers watched Ash go from a bright-eyed ten-year-old kid into a fully fledged Pokémon Master, which was the primary story for the first 25 seasons. However, starting from season 26, protagonists named Liko and Roy were introduced, and the well-established format of the show was shaken up with a new cast. While Ash does return in this revamped series, subtitled Horizons, the book has been closed on his main storyline.
Pokémon
Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old from Pallet Town, embarks on an adventure to become a Pokémon Master. With his first Pokémon, Pikachu, Ash sets out to capture and train Pokémon while battling other trainers in Pokémon Gyms to earn badges. Joined by his friends Brock and Misty, Ash consistently thwarts the plans of the nefarious Team Rocket, all while making new friends and encountering Pokémon across various regions.
- Cast
- Rica Matsumoto , Mayumi Iizuka , Yūji Ueda , Tomokazu Seki , Kaori Suzuki , Fushigi Yamada , Megumi Toyoguchi
- Character(s)
- Pikachu (voice) , Satoshi (voice) , Aipom (voice) , Pichu Younger Brother (voice) , Self , Pichu Older Brother (voice) , Kasumi (voice) , Gou (voice) , Narrator (voice) , Serena (voice) , Haruka (voice) , Shigeru Oak (voice) , Dent (voice) , Citron (voice) , Eureka (voice) , Iris (voice) , Hikari (voice) , Maamame (voice) , Mao (voice) , Suiren (voice) , Kaki (voice) , Wanpachi (voice)
- Release Date
- March 7, 1992
- Seasons
- 25
- Network
- TV Tokyo , TV Osaka , TV Aichi , TVh , TVQ , TSC
- Writers
- Takeshi Shudo , Junki Takegami , Atsuhiro Tomioka , Aya Matsui , Shoji Yonemura , Dai Saito
- Directors
- Kunihiko Yuyama , Daiki Tomiyasu , Jun Owada , Saori Den
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- Creator(s)
- Naoko Takeuchi
- Producers
- Takemoto Mori , Tsunekazu Ishihara , Keisuke Iwata
7 Teen Titans Go! (2013 – Present)
8 Seasons
There have been plenty of iconic animated superhero TV shows over the years, as releases like Batman: The Animated Series or Justice League Unlimited have gained widespread acclaim. While these shows have a loyal following, they normally stick around for a season or two and don’t continue for years on end, with one notable exception being Teen Titans Go! This animated series, which tells the story of adolescent versions of heroes like Robin, Raven, and Starfire, has been airing for over a decade and even had a feature film in 2018.
Teen Titans Go! is one of the most accomplished superhero series ever made and although it received critical acclaim in its early seasons, many may not know that it’s still on the air. Teen Titans Go! hasn’t lost any of its unique appeal and continues to boast great characters, strong animation, and engaging storylines. While it’s sometimes easy for long-running shows to get left behind by viewers, those lapsed audience members should come back and revisit Teen Titans Go!
Teen Titans Go!
Based on the DC Comics superhero team, this animated series follows the adventures of Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg as they fight villains in Jump City.
- Cast
- Greg Cipes , Scott Menville , Khary Payton , Tara Strong , Hynden Walch
- Release Date
- April 23, 2013
- Seasons
- 8
- Network
- Cartoon Network
- Writers
- Aaron Horvath
- Directors
- Peter Rida Michail
- Showrunner
- Aaron Horvath
6 Angelo Rules (2010 – Present)
5 Seasons
The French animated series Angelo Rules aired on Cartoon Network for English-speaking viewers and has been on the air since 2010. While several years of breaks in between seasons mean many viewers may have thought the show had reached a conclusion, Angelo Rules has continued to make new seasons. Based on the book series Comment Faire Enrager… by Sylvie De Mathuisieulx and Sebastien Diologent, Angelo Rules follows the antics of a schoolkid who is always coming up with schemes and trying to get out of trouble.
With upwards of four-year gaps in between seasons, it’s not surprising that viewers may have forgotten about Angelo Rules. However, whenever it does return for a new installment, it’s always an exciting return to form as Angelo gets embroiled in more antics and plots with his friends and classmates. As a CGI-animated series with an enjoyable sense of humor that appeals to younger viewers, Angelo Rules is a creative and fun-filled series, and it’s impressive that it’s still going strong after all these years.
5 Cyberchase (2002 – Present)
15 Seasons
The sci-fi children’s animated series Cyberchase has been on the air for over 20 years now, and many may not realize it has had a whopping 15 seasons. Following the adventures of three children named Jackie, Matt, and Inez, who are brought into the digital universe known as Cyberchase to protect it from the villainous Hacker, this series was both educational and exciting. With Christopher Lloyd as Hacker, the mad scientist bent on conquering and creating ultimate chaos in Cyberchase, this show’s explanation of scientific issues made it perfect for clever young viewers.
While comedian Gilbert Gottfried voiced the character of Digit for the show’s first 13 seasons, after his tragic death following a long illness in 2022, Cyberchase recast his character with Ron Pardo. As a show aimed at young viewers, those who initially grew up watching Cyberchase would already be fully fledged adults today and would likely be shocked to hear the show has continued making new episodes. However, as an educational series that aims to teach kids about complex topics, this series should be renewed for as long as possible.
Cyberchase
Cyberchase is a children’s animated series centered around three kids, Jackie, Inez, and Matt, who embark on adventures in a virtual world called Cyberspace. Utilizing math and problem-solving skills, they work to protect Cyberspace and its leader, Motherboard, from the villainous Hacker.
- Cast
- Christopher Lloyd , Gilbert Gottfried , Novie Edwards , Jacqueline Pillon , Annick Obonsawin , Bianca DeGroat , Kristina Nicoll , Rob Tinkler , Len Carlson , Philip Williams , Ron Pardo , Bebe Neuwirth , Jason Michas , Carolyn Scott , Stuart Stone , Jane Curtin , Stephanie Morgenstern , Tim Hamaguchi , Jasmine Guy , Linda Kash , Juan Chioran , Dan Hennessey , John Stocker , Megan Fahlenbock , Philip Bosco
- Character(s)
- Hacker (voice) , Digit (voice) , Jackie , Matt , Inez , Bianca , Motherboard , Delete (voice) , Buzz (voice) , Binky (voice) , Uncredited , Lady Lovelace (voice) , Ms. Fileshare (voice) , Lucky , Zeus (voice)
- Release Date
- January 21, 2002
- Network
- PBS Kids
- Writers
- George Arthur Bloom , Kristin Laskas Martin , Adam Rudman , Ronnie Krauss , Barry Harman , Dave Dias , Jennifer Hamburg , Jill Cozza-Turner , Louise Gikow , Monique D. Hall , Claudia Silver , Peter K. Hirsch , Jonathan Greenberg , Joey Mazzarino , Jesenia Ruiz , Allan Neuwirth , Billy Aronson , Susan Kim , Peter Colley , Joseph Kwong , Rodney Stringfellow , Jocelyn Stevenson , Liz Hara
- Directors
- Larry Jacobs
- Creator(s)
- Sandra Sheppard
- Producers
- Ellen Doherty
4 Futurama (1999 – Present)
9 Seasons
While no one would be surprised to learn that The Simpsons has continued uninterrupted since 1989, another Matt Groening project that’s had a more haphazard airing schedule was Futurama. This sci-fi animated series about a cryogenically frozen delivery driver named Fry who wakes up in the future 1,000 years later was arguably just as good as The Simpsons, yet it was continually canceled. Despite both Fox and Comedy Central pulling the plug on Futurama, it has always returned, with the current incarnation airing on Hulu.
Futurama mimicked The Simpsons’ signature animation style and featured a lot of crossover between its writers and producers. With a futuristic setting that allows the show to poke fun at today’s technology and pop culture, Futurama was a series more aimed at sci-fi fans and featured many clever mathematics jokes and references to science, time travel, and complex aspects of quantum physics. While Futurama may not have quite the same level of omnipresent cultural relevance as The Simpsons, it has endured for a quarter of a century with some breaks in between.
Futurama
Futurama follows the exploits of Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy from 1999 who is cryogenically frozen for 1000 years. Waking up in the year 3000, Fry befriends a cyclops named Leela and a roguish robot named Bender, and the three find employment with Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery service. Their work takes them to all corners of the universe, exploring space and the future as imagined by Matt Groening and the creators of The Simpsons.
- Release Date
- March 28, 1999
- Seasons
- 12
- Writers
- Matt Groening
- Directors
- Matt Groening
- Showrunner
- Matt Groening
3 SpongeBob SquarePants (1999 – Present)
15 Seasons
The absorbent, yellow, and porous sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob SquarePants, has gained worldwide fame since his Nickelodeon animated series first aired in 1999. Featuring the affable Patrick the Starfish to the eternally grumpy Squidward, SpongeBob SquarePants fast became one of the most popular children’s shows ever made, as its witty sense of humor, optimistic outlook, and outrageous animation meant it appealed to viewers of all ages.
While the legacy of SpongeBob SquarePants has endured, many will be surprised to learn that so has the series itself and that it never went off the air. With 15 seasons and counting, SpongeBob SquarePants has racked up over 300 episodes and boasts spin-off movies, video games, comic books, and even a Broadway stage musical. As a cultural touchstone of Millennials and Generation Z, if things continue on this trajectory, it seems generations to come will still be enjoying the adventures of SpongeBob.
Spongebob Squarepants is an animated comedy created by Stephen Hillenburg and starring voices from Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Rodger Bumpass. The series revolves around a sea sponge that goes on many misadventures with his friends Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy Cheeks in the lands of Bikini Bottom and the surrounding sea.
- Cast
- Tom Kenny , Bill Fagerbakke , Rodger Bumpass , Clancy Brown , Carlos Alazraqui , Paul Tibbitt , Dee Bradley Baker , Jill Talley , Tim Conway , Sara Paxton , Mark Fite , Mary Jo Catlett , Tom Wilson , Sirena Irwin , Lori Alan , Ernest Borgnine , Mr. Lawrence , Carolyn Lawrence
- Release Date
- May 1, 1999
- Seasons
- 14
- Network
- Nickelodeon
- Franchise(s)
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Writers
- Tim Hill , Stephen Hillenburg , Derek Drymon , Nick Jennings
- Directors
- Vincent Waller , Dave Cunningham , Stephen Hillenburg , Paul Tibbitt
- Showrunner
- Vincent Waller , Marc Ceccarelli
2 Coronation Street (1960 – Present)
12,000+ episodes
The longest-running soap opera of all time, Coronation Street, has been airing since 1960 and has just never stopped. Created by Granada Television and airing on the British channel ITV, Coronation Street tells the story of a tight-knit community in the fictional town of Weatherfield in Greater Manchester, which has featured far more affairs, betrayals, and murders than any small population should feasibly have to endure. With actors who played their roles for decades on end, Coronation Street is a British institution that has endured across the spectrum of modern television’s history.
With strong characters and a lighthearted sense of humor, Coronation Street was known for its kitchen-sink realism and everyday portrayal of working-class communities. Although Coronation Street has lost a lot of the cultural relevance it had back in its heyday, as TV audiences have shifted away from continuous soap opera stories toward more condensed narratives, the fact that this show has remained on the air for over six decades must be commended. With viewers from all over the world, including folk icon Bob Dylan (via Guardian), there’s a chance that Coronation Street could still continue for decades to come.
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a long-running British soap opera that first aired in 1960 on ITV. Set in the fictional town of Weatherfield, it follows the lives of residents in a working-class neighborhood. The series delves into personal and social issues, depicting everyday life, relationships, and community events. Noteworthy for its realistic portrayal of contemporary British society, Coronation Street has become a staple in British television.
- Cast
- William Roache , Barbara Knox , Helen Worth , Samia Longchambon , Michael Le Vell , Sue Nicholls , Alison King , Tina O’Brien , Sally Dynevor , Simon Gregson
- Character(s)
- Rosie Webster , Jason Grimshaw , Steve McDonald , Ken Barlow , Flora McArdle , Tyrone Dobbs , Leanne Battersby / Leanne Tilsley , Mel Maguire , Annie Walker , Nathan Curtis , Anna Windass , Angie Appleton , Rita Sullivan , David Platt , Jack Duckworth , Peter Barlow , Eileen Grimshaw , Tommy Duckworth , Simon Barlow , Kevin Webster , Maria Connor , Roy Cropper , Audrey Roberts , Aggie Bailey , James Bailey
- Release Date
- December 9, 1960
- Seasons
- 64
- Network
- ITV1
- Writers
- Jayne Hollinson , Chris Fewtrell , Debbie Oates , Jan McVerry , John Fay , John Stevenson , Peter Whalley , Daran Little , Stephen Russell , Joe Turner , Damon Alexis-Rochefort , Owen Lloyd-Fox , Ella Greenhill , Jonathan Harvey , Sam Holdsworth , Ellen Taylor , Mark Wadlow
- Directors
- Brett Fallis , Neil Alderton , Clive Arnold , Becky Wild , Ian Barber , Matt Hilton , Afia Nkrumah , David Kester
- Creator(s)
- Tony Warren
- Producers
- Bill Podmore , Carolyn Reynolds , David Hanson , Jane Macnaught , Kieran Roberts , Phil Collinson , Steve November , Antony Wood , Howard Baker
1 America’s Funniest Home Videos (1989 – Present)
35 Seasons
Back in 1989, if viewers wanted to get a quick fix of some funny amateur comedy content, they had to check out America’s Funniest Home Videos. This reality clip show collected videos of unintentional physical comedy, hilarious mishaps, and outrageous pranks and showcased them for viewers watching at home. The show was a massive success as, in the years before the widespread use of the internet, this was the only way audiences could see this type of content.
With the advent of YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, the concept of America’s Funniest Home Videos feels like a relic of the past as it collects viral videos that have already gone out of date by the time they make it to the air. However, America’s Funniest Home Videos never stopped and has now clocked up 35 seasons. While it’s not got nearly the same amount of cultural relevance it had during the 1990s and early 2000s, there must still be plenty of people tuning in to watch America’s Funniest Home Videos.
America’s Funniest Home Videos, released in 1989, is a television show featuring a compilation of humorous videos submitted by viewers. Each episode presents various recorded mishaps and amusing incidents, contributing to its status as the longest-running primetime entertainment program in ABC history.
- Cast
- Bob Saget , Daisy Fuentes , Dave Coulier , Tom Bergeron , alfonso ribeiro , John Fugelsang , Scott Weinger , Andy Dick , Coolio , Sara Rue , Jennifer Garner , Martin Mull , Ron Rifkin , Courtney Thorne-Smith , Meredith Vieira , Barbara Walters , Jim Belushi , Billy Ray Cyrus , Andrea Barber , Jodie Sweetin , Candace Cameron Bure , Lori Loughlin , John Stamos
- Character(s)
- Self – Host , Uncredited
- Release Date
- November 26, 1989
- Writers
- J. Elvis Weinstein
- Producers
- Terry Moore , Todd Thicke
Source: Guardian