List of longest-running British television programmes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the longest-running television programmes in the United Kingdom.

Running[]

Title Genre Airing between No. of broadcast years
(after year of first broadcast)[a]
Lord Mayor's Show Outside broadcast 1937–1938, 1946–present[1] 77
Panorama[2] Current affairs 1953–present 69
Eurovision Song Contest Song contest 1956–present 66
The Sky at Night Science programme 1957–present 65
The Queen's Christmas Message Speech 1957–present 65
Blue Peter Children's television series 1958–present 64
Coronation Street[3] Soap opera 1960–present 62
Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol[4] Religious series 1961–present 61
Songs of Praise Religious series 1961–present 61
Horizon Science programme 1964–present 58
Match of the Day Sport 1964–present 58
HOW[5][6] Children's programme 1966–present 56
Gardener's World Gardening programme 1968–present 54
A Question of Sport Game show 1968–present 54
Points of View Factual 1961–1971, 1979–present 53
University Challenge Quiz show 1962–1987, 1994–present 53
Newsround Children's news 1972–present 50
Mastermind Game show 1972–present 50
Emmerdale Soap opera 1972–present 50
ITV News at Ten News 1967–1999, 2001–2004, 2008–present 49
Pobol Y Cwm[7] Soap opera 1974–present 48
Sportscene Sport 1975–present 47
Arena Documentary 1975-present 47
It'll Be Alright on the Night Bloopers programme 1977–present 45
Top Gear Automotive series 1977–2001, 2002–present 44
The South Bank Show Art programme 1978–2010, 2012–present 44
Antiques Roadshow Factual 1979–present 43
Doctor Who Science fiction series 1963–1989, 1996, 2005–present 43
Question Time Political panel programme 1979–present 43
Newsnight News programme 1980–present 42
Children in Need Charity programme 1980–present 42
See Hear Deaf magazine programme 1981–present 41
Countdown Game show 1982–present 40
BBC News at Six News programme 1984–present 38
EastEnders Soap opera 1985–present 37
Watchdog Consumer programme 1985–present (inc. years within other shows) 37
Casualty[8] Medical drama 1986–present 36
BBC News at One News programme 1986–present 36
Dispatches Current affairs 1987–present 35
Fireman Sam Children's television series 1987–present 35
Comic Relief Charity programme 1988–present 34
Countryfile News magazine 1988–present 34
This Morning Daytime TV 1988–present 34
You've Been Framed Comedy 1990–present 32
Have I Got News for You Satire 1990–present 32
Crackerjack Children's television 1955–1984, 2020-present 31
Later... with Jools Holland Music 1992–present 30
The National Lottery Draws Game show 1994–present 28
Catchphrase Game show 1986–2004, 2013–present 27
Rownd a Rownd Soap opera 1995–present 27
Hollyoaks Soap opera 1995–present 27
Silent Witness Drama 1996–present 26
Midsomer Murders Detective series 1997–present 25
Jonathan Creek Crime drama 1997–present 25
Family Fortunes Game show 1980–2002, 2020–present 24
Red Dwarf Sitcom 1988–1999, 2009–present 24
Grand Designs DIY 1999–present 23
Holby City Medical drama 1999–present 23
Loose Women Talk show 1999–present 23
Sky News at 10 News 1999–present 23
Bargain Hunt Antiques programme 2000–present 22
BBC Breakfast News programme 2000–present 22
BBC News at Ten News programme 2000–present 22
Doctors Soap opera 2000–present 22
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Variety 2002–present 20
I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out Out of Here Reality competition series 2002–present 20
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Quiz 1998–2014, 2018–present 20
Eggheads Quiz 2003–present 19
Homes Under the Hammer Factual 2003–present 19
QI Panel show 2003–present 19
Something Special Preschool series 2003–present 19
Strictly Come Dancing Talent show 2004–present 18
Live at the Apollo Stand-up comedy 2004–present 18
Come Dine with Me Reality 2005–present 17
8 Out of 10 Cats Panel show 2005–present 17
Mock the Week Panel show 2005–present 17
The One Show Magazine and chat show 2006–present 16
Not Going Out Sitcom 2006–present 16
Dickinson's Real Deal Antiques programme 2006–present 16
Animal Park Documentary 2000–2009, 2016–present 15
Britain's Got Talent Variety talent show 2007–present 15
The Graham Norton Show Talk show 2007–present 15
Shaun the Sheep Animation 2007–present 15
Would I Lie to You? Panel show 2007–present 15
Coach Trip Reality 2005–2006, 2009–present 14
Peppa Pig Preschool series 2004–2012, 2016–present 14
The Chase Quiz 2009-present 13
Pointless Quiz 2009-present 13
Dancing on Ice Talent show 2006–2014, 2018–present 12
The Great British Bake Off Baking competition 2010–present 12
A League of Their Own Sports Quiz 2010–present 12
Lorraine Morning magazine show 2010-present 12
The Only Way Is Essex Reality 2010–present 12
Geordie Shore Reality 2011–present 11
The Jonathan Ross Show Talk show 2011–present 11
Made In Chelsea Reality 2011–present 11
Mrs. Brown's Boys[b] Sitcom 2011–present 11

Ended[]

Title Genre Airing between No. of broadcast years after year of first broadcast Notes
Up (ITV series) Documentary 1964–2019 55 The BBC version (also made by a unit of ITV Studios) started in April 2000 with two episodes of 28 Up: Millennial Generation broadcast on 29 September 2021 and 6 October 2021, giving a timeframe of 21 years for the BBC programme and 57 years for the overall Up format[9][10][11]
What the Papers Say News programme 1956–2008 52
Come Dancing Talent show 1949–1998[c] 49 The celebrity show Strictly Come Dancing[12] has been broadcast on the BBC since 2004 with series 19 being launched on BBC One on 18 September 2021[13]
Grandstand Sport 1958–2007 49
The Generation Game Game show 1971–2018 46 The series ended in 2002, with two specials hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins being shown on BBC One in April 2018.[14][15] Even though these episodes are listed as series 1[16] on the BBC programme guide, no regular series have been made since Jim Davidson left the series in the early 2000s.
The Film Show[17] Entertainment review 1971–2018 46
The Money Programme Finance programme 1966–2010 44
This Is Your Life Documentary 1955–1964, 1969–2003, 2007 43
Top of the Pops Chart programme 1964–2006 42 Two special best of the year editions (with one billed as the Christmas show[18] and the other as the New Year show)[19] have been usually scheduled each year since 2006, with the last new episode going out on BBC One on 31 December 2020, giving a total of 56 years. In addition to these shows BBC Four have been broadcasting new Big Hits compilation shows and Story of... documentaries since 2006.[20][21]
Holiday Travel documentary 1969–2007 38
Tomorrow's World Science and technology 1965–2003 38
Last of the Summer Wine Sitcom 1973–2010 37
The Sooty Show Children's programme 1955–1992 37
Thomas & Friends[22] Children's programme 1984–2021 36 Rebooted into Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! by Mattel Television & Nelvana that premiered in Fall 2021 after cancelation on January 20, 2021.
World in Action Current affairs 1963–1998 35
Postman Pat Children's programme 1981–2017 35
Mr and Mrs Game show 1965-1999 34 Phillip Schofield started to host a celebrity revival called All Star Mr & Mrs in 2008, with this new version lasting until 2016.
Crimewatch Crime programme 1984–2017 32
Call My Bluff Game show 1965–1988, 1994, 1996–2004 31
Jackanory Children's programme 1965–1996 31
BBC Nine O'Clock News News programme 1970–2000 30
Grange Hill Children's drama series 1978–2008 30
Sunrise News 1989–2019 30
It's a Knockout Game show 1966–1988, 1990–1994, 1999–2001 28
Timewatch History series 1981–2009 28
GMTV Breakfast Show 1993–2010 17 ITV's current breakfast show Good Morning Britain uses the name of GMTV's predecessor, broadcast by ITV company TV-am between 1983-1992. This gives the Good Morning Britain breakfast programme brand, a span of 38 years as of 2021.[23]
Taggart Detective series 1983–2010 27
The Bill Police drama 1984–2010 26
Crossroads Soap opera 1964–1988, 2001–2003 26
Bullseye Sport game show 1981–2006 25 Bullseye is one of the formats used for Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow with episodes of the game appearing on ITV as part of series 1 (4 July 2020) and series 2 (10 April 2021 and the celebrity version on 8 May 2021). The game will be used again for the third series, alongside episodes including other formats from the 1980s like Child's Play and Strike It Lucky.[24]
The Big Match Sport 1968–1992 24
Poirot Detective drama 1989–2013 24
Play School Children's programme 1964–1988 24
Play Your Cards Right Game show 1980–2003 23 Play Your Cards Right is one of the formats used for Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow with episodes of the game appearing on ITV as part of series 1 (27 June 2020 and a celebrity version from 30 May 2020) and series 2 (a celebrity special on 3 April 2021).
Take the High Road Soap opera 1980–2003 23
Top of the Pops 2 Archive music programme 1994–2017 23
Only Fools and Horses Sitcom 1981–2003 22
ChuckleVision Children's programme 1987–2009 22
Art Attack Children's programme 1990–2007, 2011–2015 21
Brookside Soap opera 1982–2003 21
Dixon of Dock Green Police drama 1955–1976 21
Parkinson Chat show 1971-1982, 1987-1988, 1998-2007 21 A retrospective show Parkinson at 50 was broadcast by BBC One on 28 August 2021[25]
Pingu Children's programme 1986–2006 20
Rainbow Children's education 1972–1992 20
The Really Wild Show Children's programme 1986–2006 20
Surprise Surprise Game show 1984–2001, 2012–2015 20
Time Team Archaeology 1994-2014 20
Jim'll Fix It Children's programme 1975-1994, 2007 19
The Krypton Factor Game show 1977–1995, 2009–2010 19
Never Mind the Buzzcocks Panel show 1996-2015 19 Sky put into production a new version of Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2021 with Greg Davies as host and Noel Fielding continuing in his role as team captain alongside Daisy May Cooper, giving the show a total of 25 years.[26][27][28]
Blind Date Dating game show 1985–2003 18 Channel 5 broadcast a version of this format with Paul O’Grady between 2017-2019, giving Blind Date a span of 34 years[29]
Heartbeat Drama 1992–2010 18
A Touch of Frost Detective drama 1992–2010 18
Big Brother Reality television 2000–2010; 2011–2018 17
Byker Grove Teen drama 1989-2006 17
Opportunity Knocks Talent show 1956, 1964-1978, 1987-1990 17
Z-Cars Police procedural 1962-1965, 1967-1978 15
Minder Comedy-drama 1979–1994 15
Blankety Blank Game show 1979–1990, 1997–1999, 2001–2002 14 BBC One started broadcasting a new series of Blankety Blank on 2 October 2021 with Bradley Walsh as host, with the new episodes airing on the channel more than 41 years after the BBC broadcast the first episode with Terry Wogan on 18 January 1979.[30][31][32][33]
London's Burning Drama 1988–2002 14
Rumpole of the Bailey Legal drama 1978–1992 14
The Jeremy Kyle Show Tabloid talk show 2005–2019 14
The X Factor Talent show 2004–2018 14 This total does not include the 2019 spin-offs The X Factor: Celebrity or The X Factor: The Band
Get Your Own Back Children's game show 1991–2004 13
The Vicar of Dibley Sitcom 1994–2007, 2020 13
Inspector Morse Detective drama 1987–2000 13
Foyle's War Detective drama 2002–2015 13
All Creatures Great and Small Comedy-drama 1978–1990 12 In 2020, Channel 5 started to broadcast a new version of the show with Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon.[34]
The Basil Brush Show Children's programme 1968–1980 12
Blockbusters Quiz 1983–1993, 1994-1995, 1997, 2000-2001, 2012, 2019 12
Britain's Got More Talent Variety talent companion show 2007–2019 12 This title was replaced by a new companion show Britain's Got Talent: Unseen on the ITV Hub from 2020[35][36]
New Tricks Comedy-drama 2003–2015 12
Peep Show Sitcom 2003–2015 12
The Price is Right Game show 1984-1988, 1989-1990, 1995-2001, 2006-2007 12 The Price is Right is one of the formats used for Alan Carr's Epic Gameshow with episodes of the game appearing on ITV as part of series 1 (6 June 2020) and series 2 (17 April 2021).
Spitting Image Satire 1984-1996 12 In 2020, a new version of the show was made for international streamer BritBox with input from American and British writers. A couple of the episodes from the revived series, such as the Halloween Special (30 October 2021), have been also shown on ITV, the original broadcast channel of Spitting Image when it debuted 37 years earlier.[37]
The Xtra Factor Talent companion show 2004–2016 12
The Weakest Link Quiz 2000–2012 12 In June 2021, the BBC announced that comedian Romesh Ranganathan will host a new 12 part series of The Weakest Link[38][39]
Benidorm Sitcom 2007–2018 11
Brum Children's programme 1991-2002 11
Children's Ward Children's drama series 1989–2000 11
Deal or No Deal Game show 2005–2016 11
Harry Hill's TV Burp Comedy 2001–2012 11
Mike and Angelo Children's programme 1989–2000 11
My Family Sitcom 2000–2011 11
Till Death Us Do Part Comedy 1965–1975 11
After Dark Discussion series 1987–1997, 2003 10
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Detective drama 1984–1994 10
One Foot in the Grave Sitcom 1990–2000 10
Rosie & Jim Children's programme 1990–2000 10
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Sitcom 2001–2011 10

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Discounting first years of further runs if broadcast non-continuously
  2. ^ Made in partnership with Irish broadcaster RTÉ
  3. ^ Not a competition until 1953

References[]

  1. ^ "The Lord Mayor's Show dates". BBC Genome. Retrieved 2018-09-10. (not broadcast during WW2 1939–1945)
  2. ^ "Panorama BBC Television, 11 November 1953". BBC Genome. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  3. ^ Bloxham, Andy (24 September 2010). "Coronation Street becomes world's longest-running soap". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol". January 1, 1961. p. 16 – via BBC Genome.
  5. ^ "HOW - Watch episodes".
  6. ^ "Watch CITV live".
  7. ^ "Pobol y Cwm". October 16, 1974. p. 55 – via BBC Genome.
  8. ^ "Casualty to celebrate the end of 30th Anniversary series with a pioneering one-shot episode". BBC. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  9. ^ "BBC One - 28 up: Millennium Generation".
  10. ^ "'So different': How the millennials of 28 up are coping with changing times". TheGuardian.com. 28 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Where the cast of 7 up are now they're 28 as new series starts on BBC". 29 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing".
  13. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing - Series 19: Launch Show".
  14. ^ "BBC One - the Generation Game, Series 1, Episode 1".
  15. ^ "BBC One - the Generation Game, Series 1, Episode 2".
  16. ^ "BBC One - the Generation Game - Episode guide".
  17. ^ The Film Programme https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46694568
  18. ^ "BBC One - Top of the Pops, Christmas 2020".
  19. ^ "BBC One - Top of the Pops, New Year Special 2020/2021".
  20. ^ "BBC One - Top of the Pops, the Story of 1990".
  21. ^ "BBC One - Top of the Pops, 1990 - Big Hits".
  22. ^ "Ultimate Guide to Thomas the Tank Engine". 6 November 2006. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30.
  23. ^ "Good Morning Britain".
  24. ^ "Alan Carr Returns for More Epic Gameshow on Itv". 25 October 2021.
  25. ^ "BBC One - Parkinson at 50".
  26. ^ "The return of 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks': "It was chaos"". NME. 16 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Never Mind the Buzzcocks review – Daisy May Cooper takes on the pop patriarchy". TheGuardian.com. 21 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Never Mind the Buzzcocks is back and coming exclusively to Sky and NOW with Greg Davies as host".
  29. ^ "Paul O'Grady's Blind Date "unlikely to return" to Channel 5".
  30. ^ "Blankety Blank".
  31. ^ "BBC One - Blankety Blank - Available now".
  32. ^ "BBC One - Blankety Blank, Series 1, Episode 1".
  33. ^ "Bradley Walsh brings Blankety Blank back to BBC One's Saturday nights".
  34. ^ "My5".
  35. ^ "Head to the ITV Hub for BGT: Unseen!".
  36. ^ "Your Britain's Got Talent: Unseen acts are here".
  37. ^ "'Spitting Image' returns to live TV with Halloween special". NME. 15 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Weakest Link returns to BBC One with brand new host Romesh Ranganathan".
  39. ^ "BBC Reboots 'The Weakest Link' with Comedian Romesh Ranganathan". 28 June 2021.
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