In today’s TV industry, it can be difficult to sustain interest and avoid cancellation, but there are a few shows that have managed to break the mould.
While we’re constantly inundated with series to choose between, those with the ability to stick around are a little more difficult to come by, but the Lord Mayor’s Show which is the longest-running British TV show has done it.
There’s certainly no perfect formula to create something that grows with us as everything else around it changes, but mastering longevity isn’t impossible with some shows making it to 70 years.
From annual coverage of major events to investigative programming and a children’s TV show that’s been passed between generations, and shows no signs of disappearing, the ten longest-running shows are an eclectic list.
Taking into consideration the years they’ve been on air rather than the amount of seasons, or episodes, these are the longest-running shows in the UK…
Lord Mayor’s Show
It may not be considered the most cutting-edge programming, or involve any savage plot twists, but the Lord Mayor’s Show is sitting pretty in the top spot as Britain’s longest TV show. The yearly broadcast began in 1937, before taking a brief break after the following year’s output and returning in 1946.
Each year the lord mayor has a public parade at their inauguration ceremony – a tradition that has been held annually since 1751 – and at the event, the BBC are always there with their cameras so viewers can watch live even if they are not in London.
Airing on November 9 this year, the broadcast is mainly situated around Mansion House, showing the procession as it passes. The mayor’s oath and blessing are not included.
National Eisteddfod of Wales
In second place is the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which has been broadcast on BBC One Wales since 1953.
The programme provides coverage for the yearly festival, which is considered to be the largest for music and poetry in Europe.
Panorama
The second longest-running TV show, Panorama, began in 1953 and has managed to become the first on the list to produce more than one episode each year. You go, Glen Coco!
The current affairs documentary investigates worldwide issues, in the past, it has turned its attention to bribes by Fifa official, Scientology, and the government’s ‘failing’ of the NHS.
It has not been without its controversies – in 1995, the late Princess of Wales was interviewed by Martin Bashir, and in 2021 an official inquiry called the Dyson Report concluded that the interview was secured by ‘deceitful behaviour’, and in ‘serious breach’ of the broadcaster’s producer guidelines.
The BBC will never show the programme again or license it in whole or part to other broadcasters.
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Since 1954, on BBC One Wales, the music festival which takes place in the second week of July gets the TV treatment.
Five thousand singers, dancers and instrumentalists from approximately 50 countries travel to Llangollen to perform for audiences of more than 50,000.
Both Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and National Eisteddfod of Wales have also been shown on S4C since 2982.
Eurovision Song Contest
Since the annual contest began in 1954, BBC have covered the shenanigans.
The contest sees singers from countries around Europe (and sometimes beyond) compete to become the champion.
The coverage is brought to life by commentator Graham Norton who usually entertains audiences with humorous quips between songs.
Making up the rest of the top ten are the astronomy documentary Sky at Night (BBC Four, 1957), and the Royal Christmas Message (BBC One, 1957), in which the head of the UK’s royal family shares a personal message from their household to ours.
Following on is Blue Peter (CBBC, 1958), which takes another title as the longest-running children’s TV show in the world. The current hosts Joel Mawhinney, Abby Cook and Shini Muthukrishnan, continue to encourage children to explore the world, and educate them on important issues while maintaining a level of fun.
Popular soap Coronation Street (ITV,1960) takes the ninth spot and is the first on the list to not be a BBC programme.
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Coming up in joint tenth spot is Songs of Praise (BBC One) and Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol (BBC One Wales) which both began in 1961. The religious series features sung in churches of varying denominations from around the UK.
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