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List of longest-running British television programmes

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

Running

No. of broadcast years
(after year of first broadcast)[a]		TitleNetworkGenreAiring between
78–79Lord Mayor's ShowBBC One (BBC)Outside broadcast1937–1938, 1946–present[1]
70–71National Eisteddfod of Wales[2]BBC One Wales (1953–1982) and S4C (1982–present)Outside broadcast1953–present
70–71Panorama[3]BBC One (BBC) and BBC World News (BBC)Current affairs1953–present
69–70Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod[4]BBC One Wales (1954–1982) and S4C (1982–present)Outside broadcast1954–present
67–68Eurovision Song ContestEurovision and Euroradio networks/BBC TV 1956–1964, BBC One (BBC) 1964–presentSong contest1956–present
66–67The Sky at NightBBC One (1957–2013) and BBC Four (2014–present)Science programme1957–present
66–67Royal Christmas MessageBBC TV 1957–1964, BBC One (BBC) 1964–1968, 1970–presentSpeech
65–66Blue PeterBBC Television Service (1958–1960), BBC TV (1960–1964), BBC1 (1964–2012), CBBC (1985–present), and CBBC HD (2013–present)Children's television series1958–present
63–64Coronation Street[5]ITVSoap opera1960–present
62–63Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol (Welsh)[6]BBC One Wales (1961–1982) and S4C (1982–present)Religious series1961–present
62–63Songs of PraiseBBC One (BBC)
59–60HorizonBBC Two (BBC)Science programme1964–present
59–60Match of the DayBBC Two (1964–1966) and BBC One (1966–present)Sport
55–56Gardeners' WorldBBC Two (BBC)Gardening programme1968–present
54–55Points of ViewFactual1961–1971, 1979–present
54–55University ChallengeITV (1962–87) and BBC Two (1994–present)Quiz show1962–1987, 1994–present
53Cân i Gymru (Welsh)BBC One (1969), BBC One Wales (1970–1978, 1982), HTV (1979, 1981), BBC Radio Cymru (1980), S4C (1983–present)Song contest1969–1972, 1974–1979, 1981–present
51–52NewsroundBBC One (1972–2012), CBBC (2002–present), BBC Two (2022–present)Children's news1972–present
51–52MastermindBBC One (1972–1997), BBC Radio 4 (1998–2000), Discovery Channel (2001–2002), and BBC Two (2003–)Game show
51–52EmmerdaleITVSoap opera
50–51ITV News at TenNews1967–1999, 2001–2004, 2008–present
49–50Pobol y Cwm (Welsh)[7]BBC One Wales (1974–1982) and S4C (1982–present)Soap opera1974–present
48–49SportsceneBBC One Scotland (BBC), BBC Two Scotland (BBC), and BBC Scotland (BBC)Sport1975–present
48–49ArenaBBC Two (1975–2011) and BBC Four (2003–present)Documentary1975–present
46–47It'll Be Alright on the NightITVBloopers programme1977–present
45–46Top GearOriginal: BBC Two (BBC)
Revival: BBC Two (2002–2020), BBC HD (2007, 2009–2013), BBC Knowledge (2013–present), BBC One (2020–present)		Automotive series1977–2001, 2002–present
45–46The South Bank ShowITV (1978–2010) and Sky Arts (2012–present)Art programme1978–2010, 2012–present
44–45Antiques RoadshowBBC One (BBC)Factual1979–present
44–45Doctor WhoScience fiction series1963–1989, 1996, 2005–present
44–45Question TimePolitical panel programme1979–present
43–44NewsnightBBC TwoNews programme1980–present
43–44Children in NeedBBC One (BBC) and BBC Two (BBC)Charity programme
42–43See HearDeaf magazine programme1981–present
41–42CountdownChannel 4Game show1982–present
41–42Cefn Gwlad (Welsh)S4CRural magazine programme1982–present
41–42Noson Lawen (Welsh)S4CVariety Entertainment show1982–present
39–40BBC News at SixBBC One (BBC) and BBC News Channel (BBC)News programme1984–present
38–39EastEndersBBC OneSoap opera1985–present
37–38Casualty[8]BBC OneMedical drama1986–present
37–38BBC News at OneBBC One (BBC) and BBC News Channel (BBC)News programme
37–38HOW[9][10]ITV/CITVChildren's programme1966–1981, 1990–2006, 2020–present
36–37DispatchesChannel 4Current affairs1987–present
36–37Fireman SamEnglish: BBC One (Series 1–4), CBeebies (Series 5), Cartoonito (Series 6–present), Channel 5 (Series 8–present)
Welsh: S4C		Children's television series
35–36Comic ReliefBBC One, BBC TwoCharity programme1988–present
35–36CountryfileBBC OneNews magazine
35–36This MorningITVDaytime magazine programme
35–36Sgorio (Welsh)S4CSport
33–34Have I Got News for YouBBC Two 1990-2000, BBC One 2000-presentSatire1990–present
32–33CrackerjackBBC TV 1955-1964/ BBC One 1964-1984/ CBBC 2020–presentChildren's television1955–1984, 2020–present
31–32Later... with Jools HollandBBC TwoMusic1992–present
29–30The National Lottery DrawsBBC One 1994–2016, BBC iplayer 2017–2018, ITV 2018–present (during advert breaks)Game show1994–present
28–29CatchphraseITV 1986-2002 & 2013–presentGame show1986–2002, 2013–present
28–29Rownd a Rownd (Welsh)S4CSoap opera1995–present
28–29HollyoaksChannel 4 (1995–present), E4 (2001–present), and All 4 (2022–present)1995–present
27–28Silent WitnessBBC OneDrama1996–present
26–27Midsomer MurdersITVDetective series1997–present
26–27Jonathan CreekBBC OneCrime drama1997–2016
25–26Family FortunesITVGame show1980–2002, 2020–present
25–26Red DwarfBBC Two 1988-1999, Dave 2009–present, BBC iplayer 2023–presentSitcom1988–1999, 2009–present
24–25Grand DesignsChannel 4DIY1999–present
24–25Loose WomenITVTalk show1999–present
24–25Sky News at 10Sky NewsNews1999–present
23–24Bargain HuntBBC OneAntiques programme2000–present
23–24BBC BreakfastBBC One (BBC) and BBC News Channel (BBC)News programme2000–present
23–24BBC News at Ten2000–present
23–24Unreported WorldChannel 4Current affairs programme2000–present
23–24DoctorsBBC One (BBC)Soap opera2000–present (due to end in 2024)
21–22Escape to the CountryBBC One (BBC)Daytime Factual2002–present
21–22Ant & Dec's Saturday Night TakeawayITVVariety2002–present
21–22I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Out of Here!Reality competition series2002–present
21–22Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?Quiz1998–2014, 2018–present
20–21EggheadsBBC One (2003–2004), BBC Two (2005–2020), and Channel 5 (2021–present)Quiz2003–present
20–21Homes Under the HammerBBC OneFactual2003–present
20–21QIBBC One BBC Two BBC FourPanel show2003–present
20–21Something SpecialCBeebiesPreschool series2003–present
19–20Strictly Come DancingBBC OneTalent show2004–present
19–20Live at the ApolloBBC One BBC TwoStand-up comedy2004–present
19–20The Gadget ShowChannel 5Consumer technology review2004–present
19–20Peppa PigChannel 5 and Nick Jr.Preschool series2004–2012, 2016–present
18–19Come Dine with MeChannel 4Reality2005–present
18–198 Out of 10 CatsChannel 4 More 4 E4Panel show2005–present
17–18The One ShowBBC One (BBC)Magazine and chat show2006–present
17–18Not Going OutBBC OneSitcom2006–present
17–18Dickinson's Real DealITVAntiques programme2006–present
17–18The Weakest LinkBBC One (BBC) BBC TwoQuiz2000–2012, 2017, 2021–present
16–17Animal ParkBBC OneDocumentary2000–2009, 2016–present
16–17Britain's Got TalentITVVariety talent show2007-2020, 2022–present
16–17The Graham Norton ShowBBC Two (2007–09) and BBC One (2009–present)Talk show2007–present
16–17Shaun the SheepCBBC (2007–2020, 2022–present), BBC One (2015–2020), Netflix (2020–present), and BBC Two (2022–present)Animation2007–present
16–17Would I Lie to You?BBC OnePanel show2007–present
15–16Only ConnectBBC Four (2008-2014), and BBC (2014–present)Quiz2008–present
15–16Coach TripChannel 4 (2005-2015), and E4 (2016–present)Reality2005–2006, 2009–present
14–15The ChaseITVQuiz2009–present
14–15PointlessBBC Two (2009–2011), and BBC One (2011–present)Quiz2009–present
13–14Dancing on IceITVTalent show2006–2014, 2018–present
13–14The Great British Bake OffBBC Two (2010–2013), BBC One (2014–2016), and Channel 4 (2017–present)Baking competition2010–present
13–14A League of Their OwnSky One (2010–2021), and Sky Max (2021–present)Sports Quiz2010–present
13–14LorraineITVMorning magazine show2010–present
13–14The Only Way Is EssexITV2 (2010–2014), and ITVBe (2014–present)Reality2010–present
12–13Death in ParadiseBBC One (BBC)Mystery2011, 2013–present
12–13The Jonathan Ross ShowITVTalk show2011–present
12–13Made In ChelseaE4Reality2011–present
12–13Mrs. Brown's Boys[b]BBC ScotlandSitcom2011–present
12–13Geordie ShoreMTVReality2011–present
11–128 Out of 10 Cats Does CountdownChannel 4Comedy quiz show2012–present
11–12The Last LegChannel 4Topical panel2012–present
11–12Stand Up to CancerChannel 4Charity telethon2012–present
10–11Father BrownBBC One (BBC)Mystery2013–present
10–11GoggleboxChannel 4Reality2013–present
12–13First DatesChannel 4Reality dating2013–present

Ended

No. of broadcast years after year of first broadcastTitleNetworkGenreAiring betweenNotes
55Up (ITV series)Documentary1964–2019The 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.[11][12][13]
53Question of SportQuiz show1970–2023
52What the Papers SayNews programme1956–2008
49Come DancingTalent show1949–1998[c]The celebrity show Strictly Come Dancing[14] has been broadcast on the BBC since 2004 with series 19 being launched on BBC One on 18 September 2021.[15]
49GrandstandSport1958–2007
46The Generation GameGame show1971–2018The series ended in 2002, with two specials hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins being shown on BBC One in April 2018.[16][17] Even though these episodes are listed as series 1[18] on the BBC programme guide, no regular series have been made since Jim Davidson left the series in the early 2000s.
46The Film Show[19]Entertainment review1971–2018
44The Money ProgrammeFinance programme1966–2010
43This Is Your LifeDocumentary1955–1964, 1969–2003, 2007
42Top of the PopsChart programme1964–2006Two special best of the year editions (with one billed as the Christmas show[20] and the other as the New Year show)[21] have been usually scheduled each year since 2006, with the last new episode going out on BBC One on 31 December 2021, giving a total of 57 years. In addition to these shows BBC Four have been broadcasting new Big Hits compilation shows and Story of... documentaries since 2006.[22][23]
38HolidayTravel documentary1969–2007The travelogue series ended in 2007 8 years after the murder of Jill Dando.
38Tomorrow's WorldScience and technology1965–2003
37Last of the Summer WineSitcom1973–2010
37The Sooty ShowChildren's programme1955–1992
36Thomas & Friends[24]ITV (Series 1–3 and 7)

Direct-to-video (Series 4–5)

Nick Jr. (Series 6 and 8–11)

Channel 5 (Series 12–24)

Children's programme1984–2021Rebooted into Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! by Mattel Television & Nelvana, which premiered in autumn 2021 after cancellation on 20 January 2021.
35World in ActionCurrent affairs1963–1998
35Postman PatChildren's programme1981–2017
34Mr and MrsGame show1965–1999Phillip Schofield started to host a celebrity revival called All Star Mr & Mrs in 2008, with this new version lasting until 2016.
34WatchdogConsumer advice programme1985–2019[25][26]After the regular series was cancelled, Watchdog became a feature segment on Wednesday night episodes of The One Show,[27][28] with Matt Allwright[29] and Nikki Fox continuing from the old programme to present the reports.[30]
33–34You've Been Framed!Comedy1990-2023
33CrimewatchCrime programme1984–2017A spin-off programme, Crimewatch Live, continues to air on an ad-hoc basis as part of BBC One's daytime schedule.
32Channel 4 RacingHorse racing programme1984–2016
31Call My BluffGame show1965–1988, 1994, 1996–2004
31JackanoryChildren's programme1965–1996
30BBC Nine O'Clock NewsBBC One (BBC)News programme1970–2000
30Grange HillChildren's drama series1978–2008
30SunriseNews1989–2019
28It's a KnockoutGame show1966–1988, 1990–1994, 1999–2001
28TimewatchHistory series1981–2009
17GMTVITV and ITV2 (GMTV2)Breakfast Show1993–2010ITV's current breakfast show Good Morning Britain uses the name of GMTV's predecessor, broadcast by ITV company TV-am between 1983 and 1992. This gives the Good Morning Britain breakfast programme brand a span of 38 years as of 2021.[31]
27TaggartDetective series1983–2010
27The BillPolice drama1983–2010Also includes the spin-off Murder Investigation Team (2003-2005). On 26 March 2010, ITV had announced that The Bill would be axed due to a dramatic drop in ratings and on 31 August 2010, The Bill aired its final-ever episode at the end of the 26th series.
26CrossroadsSoap opera1964–1988, 2001–2003
25BullseyeSport game show1981–2006Bullseye 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.[32]
24The Big MatchSport1968–1992Between 1997 and 2001, ITV had the rights to show the FA Cup, both as highlights and live, and ITV revived the name The Big Match. However, when these rights reverted to the BBC, with ITV replacing the BBC as holder of the rights to English top-flight football highlights in 2001, the new programme was simply called The Premiership.
24PoirotITVDetective drama1989–2013
24Play SchoolChildren's programme1964–1988
23Holby CityBBC One (BBC)Medical drama1999–2022
23Play Your Cards RightGame show1980–2003Play 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).
23Take the High RoadSoap opera1980–2003
23Top of the Pops 2Archive music programme1994–2017
22Only Fools and HorsesSitcom1981–2003Also includes the spin-offs The Green Green Grass (2005-2009) and Rock and Chips (2010-2011)
22ChuckleVisionChildren's programme1987–2009
21Art AttackChildren's programme1990–2007, 2011–2015
21BrooksideSoap opera1982–2003
21Dixon of Dock GreenPolice drama1955–1976
21ParkinsonChat show1971–1982, 1987–1988, 1998–2007A retrospective show Parkinson at 50 was broadcast by BBC One on 28 August 2021.[33]
20PinguCBeebiesChildren's programme1986–2006
20RainbowChildren's education1972–1992
20The Really Wild ShowChildren's programme1986–2006
20Surprise SurpriseGame show1984–2001, 2012–2015
20Time TeamArchaeology1994–2014In May 2021, Time Team's producer, Tim Taylor announced the return of the series, with free episodes to be shown on YouTube.[citation needed] The first episodes of the revival began appearing on YouTube in 2022.
19Jim'll Fix ItChildren's programme1975–1994, 2007
19The Krypton FactorGame show1977–1995, 2009–2010
19Never Mind the BuzzcocksPanel show1996–2015Sky 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.[34][35][36]
18Blind DateDating game show1985–2003Channel 5 broadcast a version of this format with Paul O'Grady between 2017 and 2019, giving Blind Date a span of 34 years.[37]
18HeartbeatDrama1992–2010Also includes the spin-off The Royal (2003-2011)
18A Touch of FrostDetective drama1992–2010
17Big BrotherReality television2000–2010; 2011–2018The reality show was relaunched on ITV2 since October 2023 and is currently presented by AJ Odudu and Will Best. Also includes the spin-off Celebrity Big Brother since 2001.
17Byker GroveTeen drama1989–2006
17Mock the WeekPanel show2005–2022
17Opportunity KnocksTalent show1956, 1964–1978, 1987–1990
16After DarkDiscussion series1987–1997, 2003
15Z-CarsPolice procedural1962–1965, 1967–1978
15SMartChildren's programme1994–2009
15Fifteen To OneQuiz Show1988-2003William G. Stewart hosted the original series every weekday afternoons before ending in 2003. From 2014 to 2019, Sandi Toksvig took over as host.
15MinderComedy drama1979–1994
14Blankety BlankGame show1979–1990, 1997–1999, 2001–2002BBC 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.[38][39][40][41]
14London's BurningDrama1988–2002
14Rumpole of the BaileyLegal drama1978–1992
14The Jeremy Kyle ShowTabloid talk show2005–2019The show ended on 10 May 2019 following the death of a guest named Steve Dymond after failing a lie detector test.
14The X FactorTalent show2004–2018This total does not include the 2019 spin-offs The X Factor: Celebrity or The X Factor: The Band.
13Get Your Own BackChildren's game show1991–2004
13The Vicar of DibleySitcom1994–2007, 2020
13CrosswitsQuiz Show1985-1998
13Strike It LuckyQuiz Show1986-1999Rebranded as Strike It Rich from 1996 to 1999.
13Inspector MorseITVDetective drama1987–2000Also includes the spin-offs Lewis (2006-2015) and Endeavour (2012-2023)
13Foyle's WarITV, STV, and UTVDetective drama2002–2015
13Telly AddictsQuiz Show1985-1998
12All Creatures Great and SmallComedy drama1978–1990In 2020, Channel 5 started to broadcast a new version of the show with Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot and Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon.[42]
12The Basil Brush ShowChildren's programme1968–1980A show with the same name ran from 2002 to 2007 but was a sitcom whereas the original show was a variety show.
12BlockbustersQuiz1983–1993, 1994–1995, 1997, 2000–2001, 2012, 2019
12Britain's Got More TalentVariety talent companion show2007–2019This title was replaced by a new companion show, Britain's Got Talent: Unseen, on the ITV Hub from 2020.[43][44]
12New TricksBBC One (BBC)Comedy drama2003–2015
12The GoodiesBBC (Series 1-8) and ITV (Series 9) onlyComedy1970-1982The trio consisted of Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie
12Peep ShowSitcom2003–2015
12The Price is RightGame show1984–1988, 1989–1990, 1995–2001, 2006–2007The 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).
12Spitting ImageSatire1984–1996In 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.[45]
12The Xtra FactorTalent companion show2004–2016
11BenidormSitcom2007–2018
11BrumChildren's programme1991–2002
11Children's WardChildren's drama series1989–2000
11Deal or No DealGame show2005–2016ITV has revived the show since November 2023 currently hosted by Stephen Mulhern
11Harry Hill's TV BurpComedy2001–2012
11Mike and AngeloChildren's programme1989–2000
11My FamilySitcom2000–2011
11Till Death Us Do PartComedy1965–1975
10The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesDetective drama1984–1994
10One Foot in the GraveSitcom1990–2000
10Rosie and JimCITV (ITV)Children's programme1990–2000
10Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of CrispsSitcom2001–2011

See also

Notes

References

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